This post is from our sister site My Ballard.
SDOT will begin the final phase of its repaving project on North Northgate Way today as construction crews repave the one-block section of Northgate Way, immediately to the west of I-5.
The stretch, between Meridian Ave N and Corliss Ave N (the street immediately adjacent to the west side of I-5), will be reduced to a single travel lane in each direction. The lane reduction will remain in place until the repaving is finished in mid-November and is likely to create traffic backups.
Motorists should be aware that heavy traffic volumes during the afternoon commute could also result in backups on both the north- and southbound I-5 off-ramps. Motorists exiting I-5 at Northgate are encouraged to consider using off-ramps to either the north or south, if possible. Doing so will help to reduce congestion on Northgate Way and the I-5 off-ramps to it, as well as shorten motorist commute times.
The travel lanes of Northgate Way between Aurora Ave N and Meridian Ave N, which are currently reduced for repaving, will be fully restored to two lanes in each direction this afternoon.
Improvements that are part of the North 105th/North Northgate Way Project include complete roadway repaving, new sidewalks and curb ramps, drainage improvements, street lighting and street trees from Greenwood Avenue North to Corliss Avenue North.
SDOT is also upgrading traffic signals from Greenwood Ave N to Lake City Way NE (and along Lake City Way to N 120th St), as well as installing two new dynamic message signs to provide drivers with real time travel information.
The entire project is scheduled for completion in mid-November. Click here to learn more.
Well stated, MapleLeafBob.
Have you ever walked north on 17th ave ne towards Sacajawea from 90. I hope you don’t have children that make that walk in the morning. Btwn all the cars coming up from lake city, the lack of parking that leads cars to be parked right up to the street sign it is only a matter of time till someone is hit.
I’ve been complaining to the city for years.
“Money goes where it has the greatest return on investment, which is what most people should hope for from their tax dollars.”
The problem is how and who is defining return on investment. Many politicians view return on investment as “what projects can I do to get the most attention for re-election support” not “what is best for the long-term progress of the city and taxpayers”
That is the real reality. It’s the exact reason that we need more and more money for schools all the time. I have said it before, but our schools were supposed to have all their funding issues solved via the lottery, but now the majority of the lottery money goes into the general fund or is high jacked for politicians pet projects. Make sidewalks a huge issue that shows potential to influence the outcome at the polls and sidewalks will appear very fast. Funding and re-election support are two of the biggest drivers behind political spending decisions.
Sidewalks would be wonderful and solve a lot of problems related to drainage, cars driving into ditches, and crowded parking on the hilly side of Maple Leaf between 15th Ave NE and Lake City Way. I still can’t believe they haven’t put sidewalks in on 20th where kids walk and schoolbuses run to and from Sacajawea Elementary School.
I’d love for all the streets in the neighborhood to have sidewalks. All for improving the environment. Not a big fan of big business in its current state. Apologies for being the bearer of economic reality.
“Money goes where it has the greatest return on investment”Spoken like a true capitalist. We need to get folks out of their cars to help the environment. Pedestrians need to feel safe walking or they just won’t. Follow the money. It will lead you back to big business and don’t think your elected officials are immune.
Money goes where it has the greatest return on investment, which is what most people should hope for from their tax dollars.
Most people support sidewalks and pedestrian improvements as well but guess where all the money goes instead.
Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in America right now, we need the street improvements and light rail to handle the population growth, we will continue to have more and more commuters and more cars on the road. The short term pain with be worth the long term gain. Road improvements are one of the things most people support.
Traffic was just crippled on Nrothgate Way yesterday. I think traffic would move faster in Seattle if the Seattle Department of Transportation had a big funding cut.