Delridge Way SW - RapidRide H Line

Where we are in the process: 90%  Design Update

Thank you for participating in the RapidRide H Line's 2019 outreach efforts. As the year ends, we are excited to be nearing final design and preparing for construction next year.

We have reviewed community input  and adjusted our design to best meet the needs of everyone on Delridge Way SW where possible. Thank you for helping us make Delridge Way SW a safer and more efficient street. We anticipate breaking ground on this project in spring/summer 2020. See below on what you can expect and how to prepare for construction.  

Please note that the joint Metro-SDOT environmental review comment period is open until November 18, 2019. Click here to learn more.

90% design documents

- New project fact sheet
- New street design (channelization map) in a single PDF
- New street design (channelization map) in a multi-page PDF
- New street paving map in a single PDF
- New street paving map in a multi-page PDF

Community feedback from 60% design that was included:

- Extended the northbound bus lane two blocks south. The 24/7 bus lane now goes from the West Seattle Bridge to SW Alaska St. There is a 6-9 AM peak hours bus only lane that extends south from SW Alaska St to SW Hudson St
- Moved the southbound RapidRide station at SW Holden St from the northwest to the southwest side of the intersection
- Added a half mile of new drainage improvements to reduce flooding in and near the intersections of SW Sylvan St and SW Myrtle St
- Added leading pedestrian intervals at traffic signals to give people walking a head start crossing the street
- Added additional new streetlights for increased safety
- Integrated transit priority signals at major intersections to improve bus speed and reliability
- Updated the 26th Ave SW Neighborhood Greenway by adding speed humps, street painting, and vegetation clearing
- Added wayfinding signs with directions to neighborhood greenways and popular destinations
- Added standard neighborhood greenway signs along 26th Ave SW with connections to SW Andover St, SW Hudson St, SW Findlay St, SW Juneau St, SW Holden St, and SW Henderson St
- Added wider curb ramps at SW Andover St for people biking and walking thanks to community members' Neighborhood Street Fund proposal
- Added a "no right on red" restriction sign for traffic turning from westbound SW Andover St onto northbound Delridge Way SW to reduce conflicts between people biking and driving
- Included real-time arrival reader boards at RapidRide stations
- Increased the amount of flower beds and trees planted in street medians to increase canopy and greenery
- Added a protected left turn lane for people traveling south turning into Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
- Added northbound left turn pocket at the intersection of SW Holden St
- Added a ped/bike flashing beacon and marked crosswalks across Delridge Way SW at SW Hudson St
- Added a walk/bike traffic signal at SW Findlay St
- Added curb bulbs and a marked crosswalk across Delridge Way SW on the north side of the SW Edmunds St intersection
- Added drainage improvements at the intersections of SW Findlay St and SW Brandon St with Delridge Way SW
- Maintained the Route 60 and Route 128 bus stop in front of the 7-Eleven
- Preserved large oak trees near SW Barton St and SW Henderson St
- Widened sidewalks by power poles near 21st Ave SW to be wheelchair-accessible and Americans with Disability Act compliant

Community feedback from 60% design that wasn't included:

- Request for northbound protected bike lane along the entire length of Delridge Way SW

•  Due to width of the street and competing priorities of adding new bus lanes and keeping school bus loading, we didn't add additional protected bike lanes

- Request to keep all on street parking between SW Holden St and SW Cambridge St

• Parking data tells us that with some parking removal and capacity on side streets, we'll be able to accommodate parking demand with what's designed

- Request to keep the SW Brandon St bus stop rather than moving it to SW Findlay St

• Keeping station sited at SW Findlay St in order to maintain a consistent and reasonable stop spacing throughout the corridor while improving speed and reliability. We're adding a new walk/bike signal at SW Findlay St as requested to make crossing the street more comfortable

- Request to allow evening and weekend parking in the 24/7 bus only lanes between SW Andover St and SW Alaska St

• Keeping bus only lane as planned to maintain predictable and consistent bus lane configuration and to maximize speed and reliability

- Request to add new bike facilities on 16th Ave SW between SW Kenyon St and SW Webster St

• Community members said left-turn pockets, vehicle throughput to prevent neighborhood cut through traffic, and on-street parking were a higher priority than on-street bike lanes considering the existing neighborhood greenway route. Proposal for a widened sidewalk and path were more expensive than what the project can spend because of utility poles/vaults and would require removing multiple established trees

- Request to add speed humps on Delridge Way SW south of SW Cambridge St

• This is a designated freight street where speed humps can impact freight movement. Earlier ideas to add protected bike lanes would have removed back-in angle parking in the White Center business district and didn't align with local business goals. Sharrows on street guiding people biking to White Center will remain

- Request to add left turn pocket at SW Henderson St

• Traffic study did not meet necessary turn volumes

- Request to add left turn pockets at SW Trenton St, SW Kenyon St, and SW Cloverdale St

• Traffic studies did not meet necessary volumes and design would have required widening the intersection into private property

- Request to reduce arterial speed limit to 25 mph

• Traffic studies showed new traffic signals and sequencing will calm traffic, the 30 mph speed limit helps maintain a paced traffic flow for buses, and that the new median islands will have a traffic calming effect since people driving will have less space to illagally pass in the center turn lane

Feedback from 60% design still being evaluated for inclusion in final design:

- Reviewing SW Holden St curb ramps and crosswalks away from the intersection
- Evaluating the need for a neighborhood greenway diverter at 26th Ave SW and SW Genesee St by collecting new data and comparing it with our standards
- Investigating park and ride concerns in business and residential areas
- Exploring options at the SW Graham St bus stop and staircase to see how people can best walk to the new stop from the hill
- Moving the northbound RapidRide station at SW Thistle St from the southeast corner to the northeast corner of the intersection
- Collaborating with Seattle Parks & Recreation to provide improved access to High Point along SW Brandon St and SW Findlay St with improved signage and trails

What's next: Construction starts in 2020

We anticipate wrapping up the design phase of our project by the end of 2019 and continuing to prepare for a spring/summer 2020 groundbreaking. Before groundbreaking, we'll work to get a private contractor on board to pave the street and build all the walking, biking, and transit improvements described in our design.

We also want you - especially those who live, work, or travel on Delridge Way SW - to start preparing today for major construction. Construction will be disruptive and look similar to the work happening on the nearby Southwest Seattle Paving: 35th/Avalon project.

What should you expect during construction?

We will reach out with more information as we approach construction in 2020. Generally, we anticipate construction work to be on weekdays between 7 AM and 7 PM. Construction impacts may include:

• Noise, dust, and large vehicle traffic
• Temporary parking restrictions for weeks at a time
• Short-term water shut-offs
• Driveways may need to be closed temporarily
• Some nighttime and weekend work to minimize traffic impacts
• Periodic traffic detours
• Vehicle lane shifts around work zones
• Some full closures of major intersections
• Pedestrian and bicycle detours around the work
• Flaggers to help direct traffic
• Temporary bus detours and bus stop relocations

Questions about the project?

• Email us at DelridgeTransit@seattle.gov
• Call us at 206-684-8105

Public art

Studio Wowhaus has been selected to create art for this project. To learn more and connect with the artists visit the Art Beat Blog or send us an email at RapidRide@seattle.gov.