S Columbian Way / S Alaska Street Paving Project
Paving, protected bike lane, curb ramp upgrades, sidewalk repairs, pedestrian refuge island, drainage upgrades, parking removal, center turn lane removal
Updated: October 17, 2018
What’s happening now?
Construction is in full swing along S Columbian Way / S Alaska St. Crews are completing drainage and pedestrian improvements along S Columbian Way / S Alaska St. Paving work is expected to begin in spring 2019.
Weekend work at the intersection of Beacon Ave S and S Columbian Way is scheduled for this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday October 19 - 21. Crews plan to continue drainage work at the Beacon Ave S intersection this coming weekend and will be upgrading storm drains and sections of roadway. During this work, you can expect:
- One lane of traffic in each direction will be open and consolidated on the west side of the median on Beacon Ave S, between S Ferdinand St and S Alaska St / Cheasty Blvd S.
- The intersection's traffic signal will be deactivated while crews are working. Uniformed police officers will be present to direct traffic through the intersection.
- Right-turn lane closure from Beacon Ave S southbound to S Columbian Way westbound. People driving will be able to turn right from Beacon Ave S onto S Columbian Way westbound but will be rerouted to make a right turn around the traffic island.
- People driving east and west on S Columbian Way will be rerouted onto 24th Ave S, S Ferdinand St, and Columbia Dr S. This detour will be signed.
- Uniformed police officers will be present during the closure.
- No parking will be allowed on the designated detour route.
- Pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained.
- Vehicle parking in the Beacon Ave S median will remain accessible to drivers.
For the latest project construction updates, see our construction email update archive.
We will share regular updates via email and distribute flyers in advance of work near affected properties. You can sign up to receive email updates using the form to the right.
Questions about construction? Email the project team at ColumbianAlaska@seattle.gov or call 206-256-5112.
Project Overview
S Columbian Way / S Alaska St between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S is a two-way arterial serving southeast Seattle. This stretch of road provides an important connection for all commuters between Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley. Our goal is to improve the safety, accessibility, and comfort for all users.
We are working to repave about 1 mile of S Columbian Way / S Alaska St between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S. As part of the repaving, we will be taking off the old top layer of the road, placing new asphalt and repainting the lane lines. In addition to repaving, we will also be putting in a new protected bike lane along this stretch of road between Beacon Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S.
Other project elements include:
- Installing or upgrading curb ramps to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Replacing traffic detection loops that control the signals
- Repairing and replacing some sections of sidewalk in the project area
- Building a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of S Alaska St and S Alaska Pl
- Removing some on-street parking
- Removing the center turn-lane in segments of the corridor
For more information about out 2018 paving projects, visit Current Paving Projects.
Project Schedule*
2016
Initial design and outreach
Spring - Summer 2017
Updated design
Community outreach continues
Fall 2017
Final design
Late 2017
Advertise for construction
Summer/Fall 2018
Construction begins
Spring 2019
Construction ends
*This schedule if a rough estimation of the project timeline. The schedule is subject to change.
Funding
Total project budget: $2.02 million
Funding Sources:
- SDOT’s Arterial Asphalt and Concrete Program
- Sidewalk Safety Repair Program
- Levy to Move Seattle
Outreach To Date
| Format | Document/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flyer | Pre-construction flyer | August 2018 |
| Flyer | Spring 2018 fact sheet | Spring 2018 |
| Flyering | Southeast business survey collection | March 2018 |
| Flyering | S Columbian Way / S Alaska St residential flyer | December 2017 |
| Mailing | Project letter to the community Mailed to ~200 homes and businesses |
August 2017 |
| Flyer | May 2017 fact sheet Distributed to ~500 homes, businesses, and at fairs and festivals |
Summer 2017 |
| Email update | Southeast cross-section announcement | March 2017 |
| Briefing | Settle Bike Advisory Board | December 2016 |
| Briefing | Rainier Vista Traffic Safety Committee | December 2016 |
| Flyer | Southeast Door Hanger Distributed to ~500 homes and businesses |
November 2016 |
| Email update | Southeast Open House Summary | November 2016 |
| Open house | Southeast Open House Meeting Boards | October 2016 |
| Open house | Southeast Open House in Columbia City Close to 30 people signed-in |
October 2016 |
| Flyer and email update | Southeast Project Fact Sheet | October 2016 |
| Flyer | Southeast Open House Notice Distributed to over 500 homes and businesses |
October 2016 |
| Email update | Southeast Survey Results Summary | October 2016 |
| Email update | Southeast Survey Results | September 2016 |
| Flyer | Southeast Paving Survey Notice Distributed to ~500 homes and businesses |
August 2016 |
Get Involved
If you would like to learn more about the project or would like to request a briefing, please do not hesitate to contact us.