15th Ave S Improvements
Updated: March 10, 2020
What’s happening now?
- The intersection update and paving are scheduled to begin as early as fall 2020.
- Please sign up for our emails to receive ongoing information about this project.
Questions about the project?
Email us at 15thAveAAC@seattle.gov or leave us a voicemail at 206-775-8719.
Project Overview
15th Ave S between S Spokane St and S Angeline St is a two-way arterial serving southeast Seattle. This stretch of road provides an important connection for people traveling between Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley. SDOT wants to ensure that these improvements contribute to a safer space for all travelers, and balance the needs of all modes of transportation, so that everyone can get where they need to go safely and conveniently.
In 2020, we'll repave about 1 mile of 15th Ave S between S Spokane St and S Angeline St and a section of S Spokane St between S Columbian Way and 18th Ave S.
In addition to paving, we'll make improvements at the 15th Ave S and S Columbian Way intersection. These improvements include a new pedestrian-friendly peninsula and updated roadway striping. Contrary to earlier plans, we're not building a plaza and the left turn signal at S Oregon St and 15th Ave S will remain. For more details about the improvements at this intersection, please see the maps below.
Project Area
(Click to enlarge) Details of 15th Ave S and S Columbian Way intersection improvements
The scope of this project includes:
- New pavement: This will extend the life of the pavement, making the roadway safer and smoother for travel
- Drainage improvements: Improving drainage in the area will extend the life of the roadway and make the streets safer and smoother to use
- Slip lane: This project will improve the slip lane (the right-turn-only lane) at 15th Ave S and S Spokane St
- Upgraded pedestrian push buttons: We'll update push buttons in select locations to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
- Upgraded curb ramps: In select locations, we'll update curb ramps to meet ADA standards
- Improved and updated sidewalks: We'll repave select sidewalks in need of repair
- Improvements at 15th Ave S and S Columbian Way intersection: We'll install a pedestrian-friendly peninsula, new curb bulbs, and improved connections for bicycles.
Below are images of the project area. The first depicts a crosswalk at the 15th Ave S and S Columbian Way intersection that we'll shorten during this project. The second shows roadway damage along 15th Ave S that we'll repave.
Current configuration: pedestrian island at the intersection of 15th Ave S and S Columbian Way.
Roadway damage on 15th Ave S.
Project Background
Each year, we pave arterial streets in poor condition to make them safer, smoother, and to extend their useful life. We prioritize paving projects based on pavement condition, traffic volume, geographic equity, cost, and opportunities for grants or coordination with other projects in the area. Paving streets also creates opportunities to improve street safety and move people and goods more efficiently in a growing Seattle. Read more about our current paving projects here.
Get involved
Here are some ways to get more information about the project:
- Review project materials linked below
- Subscribe for project email updates
- Request a briefing for your business or organization (contact us via phone or email)
Schedule
This is our anticipated project timeline, but dates are subject to change.
Early 2020
Complete final design
Early to mid-2020
Pre-construction coordination with community
Fall 2020
Begin construction
2021
Complete construction
Funding
Funding comes from the 2015 voter-approved, ded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, which provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.
This project is also receiving funding from SDOT's Safe Routes to School program, which makes it easier and safer for students to walk and bike in Seattle, as well as funding from our paving program.
Outreach to Date
Fall 2019
Outreach to community to share information and collect input.
Winter 2020
Preconstruction open house
Materials
- Open house 2020
- Location improvements
- Before and after
- Project fact sheet
- Event Summary
- Final Design Roll Plot
- 90% Design Comments and Response
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