S Columbian Way / S Alaska Street Paving Project
Updated: July 9, 2018
What’s happening now?
Thank you to all the neighbors, business owners, and community groups that have engaged with the project over the last several months. We are still working to finalize the construction schedule with the contractor. At this point, we expect construction to begin mid-to-late July 2018.
Once crews start working, they will begin with storm drain and curb ramp work in select locations. Construction for this project, along with Wilson Ave S and Swift Ave S / S Myrtle St / S Othello St projects, will likely extend into summer 2019.
We’ll be sending regular construction updates including schedule information before work begins.
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.
This year, we plan to start work 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 improvements 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
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 2018
Construction begins
*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 | 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.