Community Notices

Grinding and Paving for West Lake Union Improvement Project Rescheduled

Due to work delays caused by the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters' strike, grinding and paving work that was originally scheduled to begin on July 7 was postponed and neighbors were notified of the need to reschedule this work. The work has been rescheduled to begin on July 23, when construction crews will begin grinding the roadway in preparation for paving. The grinding will take two to three days. During that time, there will be increased noise and dust control work in the area.

Following the grinding, crews will be paving the entire length of Westlake Avenue North from Dexter Avenue North to the Broad Street/Valley Street junction as well as the remaining unpaved parking areas. Paving is scheduled to take place at night (from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.) and will take about 3 to 4 days. Night work has been scheduled so that crews can work when there is the least amount of traffic on the road.

Neighbors should expect sounds of vehicles and workers for these 3 to 4 nights and the smell of asphalt during that time and shortly thereafter. Crews will be taking measures to reduce noise where possible, appropriate and consistent with safe work practices while work is going on at night. A few days following the paving, crews will begin painting the permanent stripes on the roadway and unstriped parking areas.

Paving is weather-dependent. Work schedules may change due to rain.

We expect to have the work, including parking lot and Westlake Avenue North paving restoration, substantially completed by the second week in August. Some spot repairs and landscaping, as well as the installation of art and hand-rails at the Crockett and Blaine view decks will take place during August and September.

Some General Impacts:

Limited and sometimes no parking in the specific areas under construction; periodic limited access; lane closures and traffic flaggers on Westlake Avenue North; noise from large construction vehicles; increase in dust and mud during construction.

During construction, impacts to the surrounding community and through traffic are to be expected. The City of Seattle requests patience and cooperation from travelers and residents. City departments will work with the community in efforts to minimize impacts and disturbances.

Heavy construction for the West Lake Union Improvement project, including the repaving of Westlake, is expected to last approximately until the end of July. This heavier work will be followed by restoration work that will include, final restoration of the last unpaved parking areas, finish work at the view decks, final landscaping installation and installation of the art elements. Due to the nature of construction, schedules are likely to change. City departments will keep the community informed of the most current schedule.

For more information please check out our web site at www.cityofseattle.net/westlake. In addition, please continue to watch for upcoming notices regarding meetings and construction schedule.

For more information contact:

Mara Rogers
Project Information Specialist
Seattle Public Utilities
(206) 615-0866
mara.rogers@ci.seattle.wa.us