East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project
Updated April 7, 2023
What's Happening Now?
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Contractor selected; Pre-construction activities start soon
We awarded Gary Merlino Construction Company the contract to build the North Segment of the project, which includes East Marginal Way S between S Atlantic St and S Spokane St, and the intersection at S Alaska St, where we’re building a new dynamic message sign.
Starting as early as mid-April, the contractor will be completing some pre-construction activity needed before ordering the new water main that we are replacing as part of this project. During this work, the contractor will be digging into the ground at several locations to identify where potential conflicts might be between the new water main pipe and underground utilities. The areas will then be paved with asphalt.
We expect the work to take 1-2 weeks and if you’re traveling on the corridor, you can expect minor traffic revisions and flaggers directing you around the work.
After the contractor completes the pre-construction work this spring, we’ll order the water main pipe. We’ll send another project update once the water main pipe is ordered and have a better idea of when full construction will begin on East Marginal Way S.
Water main construction will be one of the early construction items and we’re expecting the pipe to arrive this fall.
Read more in our latest email update.
Stay connected
Visit our project library at the bottom of this page to read more about project features and schedule, view our federal grant proposals, and look at design plans. Comments and questions are welcome by emailing EastMarginal@seattle.gov or calling (206) 257-2263.
Overview
As Seattle grows, improvements to freight mobility are essential to promote regional and international economic competitiveness. East Marginal Way is a major freight corridor that provides access to the Port of Seattle terminals, rail yards, industrial businesses, and between local Manufacturing and Industrial Centers (MIC's). It is also a designated Heavy Haul Route, critical last-mile connector, and vital route for over-sized trucks or those carrying flammable cargo. In addition, the corridor provides a major connection for people who bike between the West Seattle Bridge Trail, downtown, and the SODO neighborhood.
This project will:
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Improve safety and reliability in the movement of people and goods
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Support freight loads by rebuilding East Marginal Way S to heavy haul standards
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Promote efficiency through signal modifications, improving wayfinding and lighting, and intelligent transportation systems
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Improve safety by separating non-motorized modes of traffic from vehicle traffic
Click here to view the latest design overview of the North Segment. The project is expected to reach final design in fall 2022 and begin construction in 2023.
Benefits
- Safety - Improved access and multimodal connections for all corridor users. Separated facilities for people walking and biking to reduce potential conflicts.
- Freight mobility - Support the economic vitality of our region by making it easier for freight to access the Port of Seattle and local industrial businesses.
- Efficiency - New and updated facilities for people walking and biking will improve access for transit. Signal modifications and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) will optimize travel for all corridor users.
Project segments
This project extends along East Marginal Way S from S Atlantic St to 1st Ave S. The project is divided in three segments – North, Central, and South. Each segment is moving at its own schedule based on funding we have secured for design and construction. The North segment of the East Marginal Way S project is now designed and moving into construction. The Central Segment is funded for design and unfunded for construction. The South Segment is unfunded for design and construction.
Select each segment below for more information about the design and schedule.
East Marginal Way Segments
North Segment
The North Segment runs from S Atlantic St to S Spokane St. It has reached 100% design and we expect to start construction in 2023.
North Segment improvements will reduce conflicts between bicyclists and trucks accessing Port of Seattle driveways and increase safety and efficiency through the corridor. Design improvements include:
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Reconstructing the East Marginal Way S roadway to heavy haul standards from approximately S Massachusetts St to S Spokane St
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Protected bike lane separating non-motorized modes from freight traffic on the east side of East Marginal Way S between S Atlantic St and S Spokane St
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Multi-use path on the west side of the street between S Horton St and S Spokane St
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New signalized diagonal bicycle crossing at East Marginal Way S and S Horton St
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Rebuilding the intersection and existing traffic signal at East Marginal Way S and S Hanford St
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Revised curb radius with a truck apron at S Spokane St
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New bike crossing with rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at East Marginal Way S and S Massachusetts St
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Replacing the existing water main in areas where the roadway will be reconstructed north of S Horton St
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Rebuilding the sidewalk on the west side of East Marginal Way S adjacent to the roadway reconstruction north of S Horton St
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Redesigning driveway at Terminal 25 South to improve visibility for people biking and driving
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Dynamic message sign at S Alaska St and East Marginal Way S
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Weigh-in-Motion system to help SDOT better understand wear and tear on our roadways and replace current spot-check enforcement system
Scroll the interactive images from left to right to see current conditions and planned improvements between S Atlantic St and S Spokane St.
S Handford St and S Horton St
S Horton St and S Hinds St
S Massachusetts St and Alaskan Way S
Central Segment
The Central Segment run from S Spokane St and Diagonal Ave S. It is funded for design and unfunded for construction. We will continue to pursue funding opportunities to construct the Central Segment.
This project aims to upgrade the Heavy Haul network, provide a clear route through the confusing area between S Spokane St and Diagonal Ave S, and construct a shared use trail to separate people walking and biking from motor vehicle traffic.
Freight improvements proposed in the Central Segment include reconstructing the surface street of East Marginal Way S to heavy haul standards between S Spokane St and Duwamish Ave S, improving wayfinding and lighting, and a Weigh-in-Motion system for northbound traffic at Duwamish Ave S. At the intersection of Diagonal Ave S, this project plans to realign the southwest corner to improve the turning radius for eastbound trucks making a right turn.
Our proposed design includes a shared use path west of the SR-99 viaduct on the east side of East Marginal Way S south of S Spokane St. At approximately mid-block, the path will cross to the west side of the street at a marked crosswalk, where it will continue to Duwamish Ave S. People walking and biking will use a marked crosswalk with flashing beacons to cross Duwamish Ave S and continue on the west side of East Marginal Way S past the concrete plant. The project will continue a wide shared use trail south to Diagonal Ave S.
South Segment
The South Segment runs from Duwamish Ave S to 1st Ave S. It is unfunded for both design and construction. We will continue to pursue funding opportunities to advance the South Segment, but currently do not have a schedule for this portion of the project.
The South Segment, from Duwamish Ave S to 1st Ave S, is part of State Route 99. There are no existing bike facilities or sidewalks on the west side of the street and sections of missing sidewalks on the east side of the street.
In March 2018, we completed a preliminary design for the South Segment that included:
- Pedestrian improvements at each existing traffic signal
- Constructing missing sidewalks on the east side of the street
- Bus stop improvements
- Signal enhancements where appropriate to improve predictability and safety for people walking and biking
We also developed a proposal to improve pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity to the 1st Ave S bridge. Design and construction of the South Segment is currently unfunded. We will continue to pursue funding opportunities to advance the South Segment, but currently do not have a schedule for this portion of the project.
Benefits
Funding
Funding to evaluate alternatives and complete early design was provided by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Learn more about the levy at Levy to Move Seattle website. In 2019, we secured grants from Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and Federal Highways (FHWA) to complete full design for the north and central segments. In November 2021, we secured remaining grant funding to construct the North Segment of the project. North Segment funding partners include:
- Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB)
- Transportation Improvement Board (TIB)
- Port of Seattle
- Federal Highways (FHWA) funds from PSRC and RAISE
We continue to look for funds for construction of the Central Segment and to advance the South Segment design. Opportunities include state funding for highways and for non-motorized facilities, FMSIB, and other local transportation packages.
Segment | Design Funding | Construction Funding |
North | Yes | Yes |
Central | Yes | No |
South | No | No |
Schedule
This project began in 2015 and has advanced project planning and design through consistent engagement with community members, businesses, partner agencies, and community advocacy groups. We have secured funding to construct the North Segment of the project and expect to begin construction in late 2022. Construction of the Central and South Segments will depend on identifying funding sources.
Planning phase (2015 - 2016)
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Data collection and preliminary traffic analysis
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Early design workshops
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Community engagement through online open house and survey
Design phase (2017 - present)
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North Segment design
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Freight and bike community engagement survey
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Briefings to community groups and bike detour workshop
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Coordination with railroad agencies
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Secured funds for North and Central Segment design and North Segment construction
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Reached final design of the North Segment in summer 2022
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Pre-construction outreach to businesses
Construction of North Segment (Expected 2023 - 2025)
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Expect to begin construction in 2023
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Community outreach during construction
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Expect to complete construction by early 2025
Public Engagement
We are committed to keeping you informed and involved throughout this project. We are planning engagement opportunities later this year once we select a contractor for North Segment construction.
Your questions and comments are always welcome by sending us an email at EastMarginal@seattle.gov or calling (206) 257-2263. To request a briefing for your organization or for more information, please send an email to EastMarginal@seattle.gov.
Project Materials
- North Segment factsheet (May 2022)
- 90% design rollplot (May 2022)
- Project factsheet (Updated October 2021)
- State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Documentation
- RAISE Grant Application (July 2021)
- Freight Survey SummaryPhase 1
- 90% Protected Bike Lane at S Horton St
- Phase 1 90% Terminal 25 South Driveway
- Design Rollplot
- US Department of Transportation BUILD grant
- 60% Frequently Asked Questions
- 60% Outreach Summary
- 60% Design Overview Phase 1
- 60% Design Plan Set (selected sheets)
- Phase 2 60% Design Plan Set (selected sheets)
- Project Fact SheetEast Marginal Way project
- INFRA grant, submitted 2/25/20
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