Welcome to the West Lake Union (WLU) Improvements Project home page.
The WLU project is a partnership between Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle Transportation, and Seattle City Light, with other agencies including Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Arts Commission, that includes drainage, street, parking and power distribution improvements along Westlake Avenue North between the Fremont Bridge and the south end of Lake Union. Construction is anticipated to start in January 2002, and take a minimum of 12 months. (Please note that construction schedules are often impacted by variables beyond our control and the actual schedule may change as we proceed.) Click here for specific schedule updates and notices.
Elements of the Project
Drainage and Water Quality
Seattle Public Utilities will replace the deteriorating storm drainage system in the Westlake Avenue North right-of-way from the south end of the Fremont Bridge to the south end of Lake Union. In addition, SPU will upgrade inlets and catch basins in the roadway and parking areas, install a 12-inch to 30-inch storm drain mainline, and replace and consolidate 15 existing outfalls into just four locations at Halladay, Crockett, Blaine and Galer streets. Storm water treatment units will be installed at those four points to remove pollutants prior to discharge into Lake Union.
Electrical Distribution System
Seattle City Light will install new vaults and ducts for the entire length of the project to:
- Separate existing distribution lines which will improve system integrity and reduce outage times;
- Add capacity to the high voltage distribution system which will improve service for the Westlake, Queen Anne, Interbay and Magnolia neighborhoods.
Brief electrical outages may be required. Advanced notice about outages will be provided as a courtesy to impacted customers.
Parking
Seattle Transportation will reconfigure and resurface the entire parking area between Westlake Avenue North and Lake Union.
The City of Seattle and the West Lake Union Design Oversight Committee collaborated to keep all of the existing 1,600-plus parking spaces in this area intact. However, as the spaces and circulation are reconfigured, some individual parking areas will decrease in size, while others will increase.
Access points off Westlake Avenue North into the parking area will also be improved and consolidated to complement the new parking configuration.
Pathway Seattle
Seattle Transportation will build an eight- to ten-foot wide pathway. This pathway will run alongside the old Burlington Northern railroad tracks adjacent to the west shore of Lake Union, within the 150-foot Westlake Avenue North right-of-way. It will stretch between South Lake Union and the Fremont Bridge. The pathway location and configuration have been designed to complement future parking and enhance business and residential access.
Street Ends and Landscaping
Seattle Transportation will also construct street-end viewpoints at Halladay, Crockett, Blaine and Galer streets. Additional landscaping will be done on the edge of Westlake Avenue North and in the parking areas.
Street Resurfacing
Seattle Transportation will resurface Westlake Avenue North from Dexter Avenue North to Broad Street. The resurfacing will also include restriping of crosswalks and the reconfiguration of the parking on the eastside of Westlake Avenue North. The parking along this stretch will be converted to right-angle spaces.
Pocket Parks
Seattle Parks and Recreation will construct several "pocket parks", landscaped public green spaces to augment and enhance the pathway and viewpoints.
Art Features
The West Lake Union Pathway is a dauntingly long and narrow site for which to plan artwork. It is also one of the most interesting areas of the city. This shore of Lake Union has been radically changed in the last century, transformed from a treed cliff plunging steeply into the water with a shallow marsh at the south end, to an industrial and commercial railroad/marine environment. Its recent history is a microcosm of Seattle’s development, full of compelling narratives and personalities. To download a copy of "West Lake Union Art" by artist Maggie Smith, click here.
The artwork will reveal glimpses of these stories and people, using materials — many salvaged — that recall railroad, lumber mill, residential and industrial uses of Westlake Avenue North. It consists of guardrail, paving, and seating.
Construction Impacts
As with any large construction project, there will be unavoidable impacts, including parking and traffic restrictions, construction-related traffic, noise, and dust. [The City will work to minimize these inconveniences whenever possible.] Information kiosks will be located in the parking area, construction notices and traffic advisories will be distributed, and anyone interested in receiving all new information about the project can sign up for an E-mail Project Notification Alert.
Access to Businesses
Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout construction. If, for any reason, access to any businesses or residences during construction is necessary, the City will notify and work with the affected parties to minimize the impacts.
Parking
Since a majority of the work is taking place within the existing parking area, certain necessary restrictions will be in place.
All of the city agencies involved will make every possible effort to maintain as much parking as possible during construction. Also, carpooling and using public transportation are recommended as options to deal with minimized parking in the areas where construction is occurring.
Traffic
Throughout the construction period, there will be varying degrees of impacts on traffic along Westlake Avenue North. The City will provide updates to area residents and local media regarding any impacts to help minimize the expected impacts.
Construction Notices and Schedule Updates
Contractor to Perform Punchlist Items on West Lake Union Improvement Project - March 12, 2004 (PDF format)
Irrigation System Testing on the West Lake Union Improvement Project - November 14, 2003 (PDF format)
Coming to the Home Stretch on the West Lake Union Improvement Project - October 10, 2003 (PDF format)
Grinding and Paving for West Lake Union Improvement Project Rescheduled - July 18, 2003
Grinding and Paving for West Lake Union Improvement Project - June 24, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - June 16, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - May 16, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - April 28, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - April 2, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - March 18, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - March 5, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - February 21, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - February 13, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - February 6, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update - January 29, 2003
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update; Two Week Outlook
Lane Closure on Westlake Avenue North Begins Next Week
West Lake Union Improvement Project Construction Update
West Lake Union Improvement Project Crews Begin Outfall Work Next Week
Construction on West Lake Union Improvement Project
Begins Next Week, First Phase Construction will begin Tuesday, February 19th
West Lake Union Improvement Project Groundbreaking Scheduled for February 7, 2002
West Lake Union Photo Gallery
Throughout Seattle's history, Westlake Avenue has been a central area of commerce, and a bustling hub of activity for all its citizens. Visit West Lake Union in its past, present, and projected future in our virtual gallery.
News Releases
September 3, 2002 Traffic Advisory - Westlake Avenue North Lane Closure Extends South to 1000 Block
June 25, 2002 Traffic Advisory - One Northbound Lane on Westlake Avenue North Closed on Saturday, June 29th from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
June 5, 2002 Traffic Advisory - One Northbound Lane on Westlake Avenue North Closed on Saturday, June 8th from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 16, 2002 Traffic Advisory - One Northbound Lane on Westlake Avenue North Closed on Saturday, June 8th from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
November 21, 2001 Construction Notice - West Lake Union Improvement Project Open House Scheduled for December 2001
November 5, 2001 Construction Notice - West Lake Union Improvement Project to Begin January 2002
Contact Information
Richard Smith
Project Manager
Seattle Public Utilities
710 Second Avenue, Suite 660
Seattle, WA 98104
richard.smith@ci.seattle.wa.us
For information about this project, please contact:
Mara Rogers
Project Information Specialist
Seattle Public Utilities
(206) 615-0866
mara.rogers@ci.seattle.wa.us
For more information, call (206) 615-0866.
E-Mail Project Notification List
To add your name to the internet e-mail project notification list:
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