2008 Arterial Asphalt & Concrete Program

Denny / Western / Elliott / 15th Avenue West Paving Project

News Release: Update: Paving on Elliott/15th Avenue West, May 12-16

5/0908 PHASE 2 STARTED Week of May 5th THERE WILL BE SEVERAL DAYS OF NIGHT WORK for pavement grinding in the Phase 2 project area STARTING MONDAY NIGHT – MAY 19th (Weather Permitting). Construction work on the Denny/Western/Elliott/15th Avenue W repaving project is divided into four (4) phases. There is the possibility of some overlap between each phase. Phase 1: Final paving and pavement marking will be completed in mid May. Phase 2: Northbound lanes of Elliott Avenue W/15th Avenue W fromW Lee Street to W Nickerson Street (early May - mid July). Phase 3: Southbound lanes of 15th Avenue W/Elliott Avenue W from W Nickerson Street to W Galer Street (early July - early September) Phase 4: Southbound lanes of Elliott Avenue W/Western/Denny from W Galer Street to 1st Avenue N (late August - mid October) There will be two to three travel lanes open to commuter traffic in each direction during peak periods throughout the project's duration. During non-peak hours there will be one to two travel lanes open in each direction, depending on the type of work and safety considerations. The work in each phase will roughly follow this order: (1) pavement grinding; (2 ) curb ramps/sidewalk removal and replacement; (3) pavement base repairs and concrete bus pad installations; (4) traffic signal detector and other electrical installations; (5) utilities/manhole adjustments, overlay asphalt paving and pavement striping.

Project Description

This project is part of the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.

The project includes removal and replacement of asphalt pavement, repair of concrete or brick base beneath the asphalt, construction of concrete bus pads and new or upgraded curb ramps to meet current standards. To encourage bicycle commuting, this project will also add shared roadway markings, called sharrows; replace many curb inlet grates with “bicycle friendly” grates that will not trap bicycle tires; and add traffic signal detector loops that will detect bikes and vehicles waiting for traffic signals. In addition, sidewalks will be added in sections where they are currently missing to improve pedestrian connections. After paving is completed, street tree planting, signal and ITS improvements will be coordinated by SDOT Urban Forestry and Signal Operations.

The work will be done in phases.

Initial work will start in the northbound lanes of the east half of Elliott Ave W at Denny and move north to W Lee Street.

Once the contractor has completed work in the northbound lanes, work will commence in the southbound lanes of the west half of 15th Ave W near the Ballard Bridge and move southward.

Work elements include pavement grinding, curb and sidewalks, pavement base repair, drainage grates, signal detectors, new pavement overlay, and pavement markings for lane configurations, including Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes.

Project Location

• Denny Way from 1st Avenue N to Western Avenue N
• Western Avenue W from Denny Way to W Thomas Street
• Elliott Avenue W from W Thomas Street to W Galer Street
• 15th Avenue W from W Galer Street to W Emerson Street/ Ballard Bridge

What to Expect During Construction

• Lane closures
• Pedestrian detours
• Parking restrictions
• Moderate construction noise and dust
• Normal work hours will be 7 am – 4 pm, with occasional night time and weekend work
• Regular notices with more location specific information during construction
• Click here to read the FAQs

Project Contacts

• George Frost, Public Outreach Coordinator, george.frost@seattle.gov , (206) 615-0786
• Connie Zimmerman, Project Manager, connie.zimmerman@seattle.gov, (206) 684-5184
• Frank Yanagimachi, ITS Program Manager, frank.yanagimachi@seattle.gov, (206)601-4296
• SDOT Urban Forestry, (206) 684-TREE – please contact us if you have an interest in tree selection!