The South Lake Union Streetcar: Construction Guide

In May 2007, the Seattle Streetcar Team will substantially complete advanced storm work related to the project. The Streetcar contractor, Stacy & Witbeck, will begin to install track in the downtown area. Work setting trolley pole foundations, the Streetcar maintenance facility and pavement restoration on Westlake and Fairview will continue.

DOWNTOWN AREA

Westlake Avenue between Olive Way and Denny Way

ADVANCED UTILITY WORK

√ Achieved substantial completion for advanced utility work related to the Seattle Streetcar Project.

ELECTRICAL

Foundation installation for street lighting, traffic signals, signal interconnect work and platform electrical services being installed.

• Duration: On-going underground work will be complete by end of month.

OVERHEAD CATENARY SYSTEM

Construct pole foundations on Westlake between Olive Way and Denny Street .

Saw cut, excavate 3x3 hole approximately 18’ feet deep, set rebar, anchor plate and foundation for pole mounting. *Note: Poles will be set a future date.

• Duration: 2 days per pole location – scheduled to complete downtown work by 5/25.
• Traffic Control: Approximately 150’ of parking strip or parking lane will be occupied during work hours at each location.

TRACK INSTALLATION

Install Streetcar track thru the intersection of Westlake Avenue and Denny Street

• Duration: May 6 th – May 12 *night-time work

Traffic control: Intersection of Denny and Westlake closed to east/west traffic during construction hours.

Install Streetcar track on west side of Westlake Avenue between Denny Street and Virginia Street

• Duration: May 14 th to mid - June

Traffic control: One lane in each direction maintained. Parking on both sides of Westlake Avenue restricted near construction zone.

SOUTH LAKE UNION AREA

ADVANCED UTILITY WORK

√ Achieved substantial completion for advanced utility work related to the Seattle Streetcar Project.

TRACK INSTALLATION

Complete track installation on Westlake Avenue between Denny Street and Valley.

• Complete by week of May 8 th

Complete installation of two more Streetcar platforms.

Westlake/Mercer platform

• Complete by week of May 14 th
• Traffic control: Pedestrian Access will be maintained during construction.

Westlake platform between Thomas & Harrison

• Complete by the week of May 21 st
• Traffic control: Pedestrian Access will be maintained during construction.

Install Streetcar track switch on Fairview Avenue North near Yale Street

• Duration: May 12 th to week of June 4 th
• Traffic control: Fairview Avenue limited to one lane in each direction near construction zone.

Note: In many locations along Westlake Avenue there is a difference between the track and existing street level. In late May, the contractor will grind and overlay the street with asphalt to address this issue. Between now and the grind & overlay the contractor will put cold mix down in areas where they are not working to allow for more parking along Westlake Avenue.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Curb and drive-way replacement along Fairview Avenue North

• Duration: Complete week of May 7 th
• Traffic Control: Traffic channeled to one lane westbound near construction.

Repave the northeastern portion of the Westlake and Thomas sidewalk

• Duration: Open to pedestrians week of May 7 th
• Traffic Control: Pedestrians detoured around construction.

OVERHEAD CATENARY SYSTEM

Construct joint-use pole foundations

Saw cut, excavate 3x3 hole approximately 18’ feet deep, set rebar, anchor plate and foundation for pole mounting. *Note: Poles will be set a future date.

• Duration: 2 days per pole location
• Traffic Control: Approximately 150’ of parking strip or parking lane will be occupied during work hours at each location.

MAINTENANCE FACILITY

Constructing the foundations, excavating maintenance pit, erecting concrete walls.

Previous Month Constructions Reports:

August 2006

September 2006

October 2006

November 2006

December 2006

January 2007

February 2007

March 2007