Rainier Ave S Landslide Mitigation Project

Updated: October 5, 2023

Construction of the additional retaining wall panels on Rainier Ave S near S Norfolk St is complete! Wall Three experienced a slide in 2022 and we added retaining wall panels to the southern end of the wall. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the Rainier Ave S Landslide Mitigation Project, please contact us at 206-684-ROAD (7623) or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.

Overview

We're working to address the long-standing surface slides as well as significant overgrowth obstructing the sidewalk along segments of Rainier Ave S from S Carver St to the south City limits near S Ryan St.

Because of limited funds, the project team prioritized the problem areas. In 2016, we installed a 60’ segment of retaining wall and cleared overgrowth from the existing sidewalk to open it up to people walking.

In 2020, we installed the retaining walls outlined within the project map below.

Project Area

Background

SDOT maintains almost 600 retaining walls, most protecting public streets. The average height is 6 feet, and if all the retaining walls and seawalls were lined up end to end, they would extend for 21 miles.

Timeline

Design: Winter 2016 – Fall 2017
Construction: Installed priority retaining wall and cleared sidewalk in 2016; Retaining walls and new sidewalk installed in 2020; additional wall added to southern end of Location 3 in 2023

Anticipated Construction Impacts

General construction impacts will include noise, dust, vibration, lane restrictions, and potential detours for people walking, biking, and driving.

Funding

The project is funded through the City's Landslide Hazard Mitigation Program and managed by SDOT's Street Use division.

Materials

Construction mailer (December 2019) 

Project map (2019)

Project map (work completed in 2016)