07/06/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/06/2022 19:58
In the last 5 years, 15th Ave NE has also had an above-average number of injuries from collisions. As such, this project is part of our Vision Zero initiative to end traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
We heard from hundreds of people about how they get around the neighborhood and what their priorities were. Below is some of what we've heard throughout the project, and all comments are available on the project website.
"I live in the area and am significantly impacted by the construction but in the end, it will all be worth it. The bike lanes are something that my family and I will use regularly. We also walk and drive in the area on a daily basis so are looking forward to a safer street overall, for all users. And in 4 short years my daughter will attend high school at Roosevelt and I will feel so confident in her ability to bike and walk to school. Appreciate the creativity in rearranging the streets around the high school as well." - NE Seattle neighbor
[Link]Neighborhood Greenway connection at Roosevelt High School. Photo: SDOT"My family practices alternative commuting as much as we can. I bus to work. My husband bikes to his job in Bellevue three days a week. My school aged children either walk to school or take a school bus. I'd love to see more supports in our neighborhood for pedestrians. We live near the light rail station, and I expect our neighborhood will grow by thousands in the coming years. This is a fantastic opportunity to build in more alternative and low-cost commuting infrastructure in NE Seattle." - NE Seattle neighbor
As shown on this map, the resulting project is a combination of many projects including paving, biking, Vision Zero, and Safe Routes to School! See below for photos and details related to each of these improvements.
"Thank you for removing parking! And making improvements for safety of people traveling outside of cars! This is an important shift in priorities to really address climate change." - NE Seattle neighbor
After hearing concerns about safety at the intersection at NE 80th St and 15th Ave NE, we installed dedicated left turn lanes, which have their own left-turn signal - to improve safety for people driving. We also added leading pedestrian intervals at many intersections so that people crossing receive the walk signal before turning traffic. This makes them more visible to people driving.
[Link][Link][Link]Clockwise from top left: (1) We also heard concerns about safety around Cowen Park and requests for this crosswalk at 15th Ave NE and NE 62nd St. (2) At 15th Ave NE and NE 65th St, we painted an area with white crisscrossing lines to keep cars from waiting there so that buses can comfortably make the turn. (3) At 15th Ave NE and NE Ravenna Blvd, we added crossbikes (green crossings for bikes) to make people biking more visible, in response to feedback from the community. Photos: SDOTThis means the loading area is closer to the school's accessible entrance, is less steep, and prevents the mixing of buses with traffic and bike lanes.
Shown at left, to improve drainage and surface water runoff, we installed several stormwater catch basins. (Photo: SDOT). SPU also renewed water main connections along the entire project area. We also updated an aging sewer line between NE 73rd St and NE 70th St.