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24th Ave East Bridge To Close Sept 8th

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closure

VIA WSDOT

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, crews for the SR 520 West Approach Bridge North Project (WABN) plan to close the 24th Avenue East bridge over SR 520 for up to six months. This necessary closure will allow crews to extend the overpass to the north and make room for a new off-ramp to East Lake Washington Boulevard at 24th Avenue East. This new off-ramp will replace the existing westbound off-ramp to Lake Washington Boulevard in the Arboretum, scheduled to be removed in 2016.

During the approximately six-month closure, all bicycles and pedestrians will be detoured to the Montlake Boulevard sidewalk via East North Street. Over the past several months, crews have upgraded sections of sidewalks along the east side of Montlake Boulevard to ADA standards and widened the sidewalks to 10 feet. To view the detour route, please see the map or online.

For more information about future phases of work in the Montlake area visit our website. To stay informed during WABN construction, you can also:

  • Call the 24-hour construction hotline (206-708-4657) with pressing questions or concerns.
  • Email WABN staff with your questions about the project or construction activities.
  • Join us for our monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Graham Visitors Center.
  • Visit the SR 520 Orange Page for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts.
  • Visit the WABN project website to find general information about the project.
  • Follow us on Twitter @wsdot_520 to get key news and updates about the SR 520 program.

Join PBRP Community Council in Welcoming Senator Jamie Pedersen on July 2

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Montlake neighbors are invited and encouraged to attend the Portage Bay Roanoke Park Community Council meeting on July 2nd.  Senator Pedersen will be joining the meeting on Thursday where he will respond to submitted SR 520 topics, questions and concerns.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, July 2, 6:30 P.M.
Queen City Yacht Club – 2608 Boyer Ave. E.
Special Guest Senator Jamie Pedersen

Agenda:

6:30 p.m.             Welcome
6:35 p.m.             Safety and Block Watch
6:45 p.m.             SR 520 Neighborhood Planning Grant
6:50 p.m.             Furhman-Boyer Traffic Calming
7:00 p.m.             Senator Jamie Pedersen                                              

 

The President’s Message

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Dear Neighbors,

I have just completed 5 years on the Montlake Community Club (MCC) Board of Trustees. I held a trustee position for 3 years and I have been President for 2 years. As I retire from the board, I am pleased to report that the focus of the board is much more active than 5 year ago when I first joined. At that time the board spent most of our time and energy dealing with WSDOT and the 520 design and construction. Later we worried about Sound Transit digging a train tunnel under the neighborhood. Although we are still keeping a close eye on the bridge and Sound Transit, our focus now is how to make Montlake an even better place to live while these construction projects continue.

1. Traffic Safety: Board members, Lionel Job and Rainer Metzger have established a solid connection with SDOT. Through their efforts some traffic and pedestrian improvements for our neighborhood are now on the city’s To Do List. Thank you, Lionel and Rainer!

2. Business District Connection: The board designated a trustee position for a business district liaison, so we can work with our business owners to enhance our small commercial area. Board Secretary Kathy Laughman has led this effort. This year for the first time we were able to help the businesses with holiday lighting to brighten up 24th Avenue during December. With increased financial support this year, we hope to expand this for 2015. This year a board committee with business owners will work on a design for sidewalk improvements and look for grant funds for this project.

3. National Historic District Designation: Following several years of work on our application, we expect this fall the National Park Service will recognize Montlake as a National Historic District and we will be listed on that national registry. Jon Decker, former MCC board member has headed this project. This gives the neighborhood some protection during 520 construction. The federal government recognizes that construction projects they help to fund must be conducted in a manner that will not damage historic building with a historic district.

4. Liaison with Montlake School: The board designated a trustee position for a member of the PTA who can help communicate between the school community and the MCC board. Our goal is to keep neighbors without children at the school, informed about school activities. The board would like to see more neighborhood support, especially for the school’s fund raising efforts which enhance the school’s programs.

5. Celebrating our Neighborhood Talent: Nathalie Gehrke, retiring MCC Vice President, is chairing this project. Again this year we are showcasing our resident writers, artists and musicians. But rather than a Sunday afternoon event at the community center, this year we will be using a different venue. Our talented neighbors will be sharing their music, art and writing at the library or at one of our businesses. We call these events “Montlake Unabridged”. This format will give a better look at their talent and let participants sell their work. Watch this website calendar for the dates of these events.

6. Volunteers: The board is hopeful that some volunteers will step forward and help with projects for 2015-16. This includes help with our annual October yard sale, the Snow Brigade, the holiday lighting project and maintaining our gardens at the pocket parks on Boyer and 24th Avenue.

We also have one Board Trustee position open for 2015-18. The requirements for serving as a Trustee are simply to attend or monthly meetings (second Tuesday of the month at the Boyer Children’s Clinic). We hope someone who cares about the neighborhood will volunteer for this position. Someone with some new ideas and a willingness to help with our on-going projects would be especially welcomed. You can contact the board to volunteer at board@montlake.net .

7. Election of Officers for 2015-16. Since we are not holding a neighborhood meeting this month, our election of officers will be held on-line. LeAna Alvarado-Smith, our Flyer Editor will be sending out the on-line ballot at the end of the month. Please participate. This is also an opportunity to give feedback to the board on any topic of concern.

I wish you all a wonderful summer. I hope to see you at some of the Montlake Unabridged events.

WSDOT To Begin Construction Site Tours

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At the May update meeting of the 520 Bridge construction, WSDOT staff announced that the June, July and August monthly meetings will include a tour of the bridge construction area. The tours will begin with a brief meeting at the Graham Visitors Center. Afterward staff will lead neighbors out to Foster Island and beyond to view the current construction area. Participants are advised to wear hiking boots of shoes and be prepared for a one-hour walk. Interested neighbors who want to go on the tour need to register in advance. The dates for the tours are:

Wednesday, June 3rd, 5:30 pm

Wednesday, July 1st, 5:30 pm

Wednesday, August 5th, 5:30 pm.

Register for the tour on the WSDOT website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge/WABN. Look for the article “Latest WABN Construction Update”.

WSDOT and the Flat Iron Construction Co. staff announced the Lake Washington Blvd. street closures that were previewed last month. The street will be completely closed to car and pedestrian traffic from Montlake Blvd. to 26th Ave. East on May 29-June 1 and June 5-7. Home owners along the Blvd. will be offered hotel vouchers so they can vacate their homes during these periods.

Two ongoing projects were discussed. The sidewalk widening at the corner of Lake WA Blvd. and Montlake Blvd. has been stalled due to the large amount of utility cables located nearby. The sidewalk work on Montlake Blvd. near Hamlin and Shelby is near completion.

This month, construction of 8 of the 12 parking stalls on East Park Drive is beginning. These stalls will provide convenient parking for kayakers and other park users who visit the kayak launch which will be developed on the lake shore near East Park Drive. The final 4 stalls will be done at a later date. There was discussion about parking restriction for this parking lot to deter UW staff and students from using the spaces during the day. SDOT staff reported that there would not be zone restriction to reserve the spaces for Montlake residents. However, there will be a 4 hour time limit imposed on drivers Monday throught Saturday.

Montlake Historic District National Register Nomination in Final Stages

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The Montlake Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) has been prepared, and has been sent to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) for review. All components of the nomination as submitted are available on the project website. We appreciate all the participation and support of the Montlake community during the development of the Montlake Historic District National Register nomination.

This May, the nomination will be reviewed by the Washington State Advisory Council for Historic Preservation. Following that meeting, the nomination is expected to be conveyed to the National Park Service (NPS). Following a 45-60 day review period, if accepted, the district will be listed in the NRHP.

Please note that National Register listing places no obligations on private property owners. There are no restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property as a result of listing on the National Register.

  • National Register listing does not lead to public acquisition or require public access.
  • An individual property will not be listed if the owner objects, or for districts, if a majority of property owners object.
  • National Register listing does not automatically invoke local historic district zoning or local landmark designation.

To learn more about listing in the National Register, here are some useful links:

  • The NPS website has more specific information on what it means to be listed in the National Register.
  • As always, please contact Steve Archer, WSDOT Cultural Resources Specialist, at 206-805-2895 or archers@wsdot.wa.gov if you have any questions about the nomination or the process.

Why is WSDOT undertaking this effort?

WSDOT has conducted this work as a mitigation commitment for the SR 520, I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, as requested by the Montlake Community Club. WSDOT has been coordinating with the Montlake Community Club and the Washington State DAHP, and retained historic preservation consultants Connie Walker Gray and Mimi Sheridan to conduct the work.

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SR 520 Final Concept Design: Transportation & Neighborhood Activists Respond – Have You? 

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RestofthewestWSDOT and the City of Seattle have posted the SR 520 West Side Final Concept Design Draft and it is available on Montlake.Net Everything 520 Page and here.  A printed copy will also be available for review at the library later today. This draft was prepared with input from Montlake Community Club members in cooperation with the city appointed 520 coordinator, SDOT, and the WSDOT and city’s design team.  In August, the Seattle Design Commission conducted a thorough review of the plan and made specific recommendations that touch both the interchange in Montlake and the Portage Bay Bridge.  While the draft marks some significant progress from previous WSDOT proposals in terms of pedestrian and bicycle mobility solutions, some concerns exist.

In response to this draft, Montlake Community Club board member Lionel Job, Montlake Neighborhood Greenways, Neighborhood Greenway activists, and pedestrian and bicycle groups have sent the letter below to Mayor Murray with council members, state representatives and senators in copy.  The letter thanks the city and WSDOT for their cooperation in the last 18 months, highlights concerns with the lack of flexibility with the layout of the off and on ramps and suggests a number of improvements that could ease some concerns.

WSDOT’s draft will be reviewed this month by the City Council. Furthermore, this concept design was used as an element for the 2015 Transportation budget presented by the governor in Olympia.  If the budget is passed, based on the Final Concept Design, WSDOT will gain access to the funds and approval to build.  This draft represents only a 5% design and may change; however, it can be used to obtain 100% of the project funding.  Therefore, it is critical that neighbors review the draft and submit comments without delay.  All comments should be sent to the city council members, posted here or following this post WSDOT Seeks Community Feedback on “Rest of the West” Design.

Letter

Dear Mayor Murray, 

Thank you for your leadership building a transportation system that moves people efficiently throughout the region, and creates healthy places to live, work, and play. We are glad you share our vision of a modern transportation system that furthers Seattle’s economic, social justice, climate, livability, public health, and safety goals. We want to start by thanking you for the significant improvements that have been made to the SR-520 design over the past year. The collaboration between SDOT, WSDOT, and consultants has resulted in better solutions than previous iterations.

We understand WSDOT has unduly constrained this collaborative effort, and been unwilling to reconsider some of the underlying assumptions. By locking down the requirements for the number of access ramps and the Montlake interchange configuration, WSDOT has closed the door to innovations that would significantly improve the comfort and safety for people walking and biking (such as options X, Y, and Z on page 44 of the SR 520 Final Concept Design document). We recognize these constraints are unlikely to be reexamined before funding is secured this legislative session.

We recommend the following changes that would make this project safer and healthier for Seattle. This $1.5 billion project will be set in concrete for the next eighty years. It must work for kids walking to Montlake Elementary, elders walking from the Husky Light Rail Station to the Arboretum, or a physician in scrubs biking from the Central District to the UW Medical Center. We urge you to continue to lead us towards a better transportation future.

Top SR-520 Design Innovations and Remaining Opportunities

We support the following design innovations proposed by WSDOT

  1. North-South: A Montlake Cut walking and biking bridge will alleviate the failing level of service on the existing bridge for people walking and biking. Alignment B would add the most value to Seattle’s transportation system by connecting to the proposed protected bike lanes on Montlake Boulevard and to the future UW Light Rail Station. This connection is part of the 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.

  2. North-South: The “Land Bridge” will provide a useful and iconic connection over the SR-520 highway mainline.

  3. East-West: An E Roanoke Greenway and short E-W protected bike lane along E Roanoke St will form the critical East-West connection in this system for people of all ages and abilities.

  4. East-West: The Portage Bay Bridge Trail will be a critical piece of the healthy transportation infrastructure for the city and region. This facility is part of the 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.

We strongly recommend the following design improvements

  1. North-South and East-West: Given that separated above grade options have been taken off the table for now, it is incumbent upon WSDOT to create the safest possible Montlake interchange pedestrian crossings along both sides of Montlake Blvd for people of all ages and abilities. To accomplish this, all on-ramp and off-ramp conflict points should be raised crosswalks, lane widths should be reduced to NACTO standards, turning radii should be consistent with NACTO standards, and the on-ramp storage lanes should be narrowed to a single lane at pedestrian crossings. These improvements are consistent with WSDOT approved NACTO and SDOT’s ROWIM.

  2. North-South: A two-way protected bike lane on the east-side of Montlake Blvd from E Roanoke St, across a new walking and biking bridge, to the University Light Rail Station at Husky Stadium is important to creating a safe and convenient system for people biking through this area. This facility is part of the adopted 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.

  3. North-South: Funding for neighborhood greenway improvements along the Lake Washington Loop from the SR-520 Lid south will simultaneously improve a key link in the non-motorized system and improve the livability of the neighborhood by mitigating cut-through traffic from the relocation of the eastbound SR-520 ramp. These improvements are part of the adopted 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.

Thank you for your continued commitment to improving the SR-520 project. Please see our full comments in the attached letter.

Sincerely,

Barb Chamberlain, Washington Bikes

Bob Edmiston, Madison Park Greenways, Seattle Board of Park Commissioners

Cathy Tuttle, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways

Dennis Shaw, MD, Montlake Greenways

Elizabeth Kiker, Cascade Bicycle Club

Forrest Baum, University Greenways

Jerry Fulks, Arboretum Neighbors for Safer Streets

Lionel Job, Montlake Community Club Transportation Committee, Montlake Greenways

Lisa Quinn, Feet First

Mike Archambault, Capitol Hill Community Council, Central Seattle Greenways

Shefali Ranganathan, Transportation Choices Coalition

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WSDOT Seeks Community Feedback on “Rest of the West” Design

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Rest of the West UpdatedVIA WSDOT

Last week WSDOT and the city of Seattle released a draft design report containing the final conceptual design recommendations for improvements to the SR 520 corridor in Seattle. Planned but still unfunded improvements in this west side section of the highway include a new Portage Bay Bridge, the new west approach bridge south, lidded overpasses in the Montlake and Roanoke neighborhoods, and enhanced facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.

Got an idea or opinion to share about the design? We love residents taking an interest – tell us what you think! The official public comment period is open, and will run through Feb. 13. You can review the full final report here (as a 22.5 mb PDF) or find it on our website split into smaller bites (better for the digestion).

We have developed a short survey for people to fill out in response to the report.

If you wish to provide your own free-form comments, you can submit them via e-mail or snail mail:
Email: SR520Westside@wsdot.wa.gov
Mail: SR 520 West Side Project, SR 520 Program Office, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2200, Seattle, WA 98104
Thanks for your participation as we finalize plans and seek funding for the Rest of the West!

Bridge Construction May Worry Home Owners

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The current SR 530 Bridge project from the West Bridge Approach North (WBAN) to Montlake Blvd. will continue with loud noise and vibration affecting the community and particularly the homes along East Hamlin St. on the north side and East Lake Washington Blvd. on the south side of 520.  This noise and vibration may also continue as an after-effect.

There are City of Seattle and federal regulation that limit construction noise and vibration.  WSDOT inspected some homes adjacent to the construction area to determine their pre-construction condition.  In Madison Park, some condos at the shoreline experienced severe damage.  As a precaution, property owners in Montlake adjacent to the construction are encouraged to document and montior the condition of their property, before, during and after the construction of the 520 project.

The above process includes taking photos of the interior and exterior of homes.  Interior plaster walls are potentially at risk of cracking and homes with brick masonry exterior walls are at risk for cracks in the mortar joints.  Vibration monitoring, which will document the levels that cause damage is being done currently in Madison Park by WSDOT, but only on a limited basis.

Vibration monitoring, on a daily basis at select locations by professional consultants is available to home owners.  Also, monitors for sound are available for purchase for a reasonable cost.  If damage occurs from excessive vibration and residents want to seek reimbursement for repairs, they are advised to seek assistance from a vibration consultant.  The Montlake Community Club Board will be monitoring compliance with city, state and federal standards by WSDOT and the construction company during the project.  If property owners witness excessive noise or vibratio, they can contact the 24 hour WSDOT hotline phone at (206)708-4657 or by e-mail at sr520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.

If there are any questions regarding the above information, please contact me at (206) 633-5297 or jdecker@deckerarchitects.com.

 

What Was That Noise? WABN Construction Schedule

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montlake work zoneVia WSDOT – SR 520 Bridge Replacement & HOV Project

Upcoming construction activities in the Montlake Interchange area

Major construction kicks off this month around SR 520’s Montlake Boulevard interchange as part of the West Approach Bridge North Project (WABN). Crews plan to begin a variety of local street improvements, starting with the widening of the eastbound SR 520 ramps to and from Montlake Boulevard during the week of Dec. 15.  Montlake-area improvements are designed to provide additional capacity on 520 ramps and local streets, and safer travel for bicyclists and pedestrians when WABN is complete. As construction plans are finalized and work proceeds in the Montlake area, additional notifications will be sent.

Noisy work expected during the night at SR 520 eastbound ramps

Crews will perform work to widen the ramps between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on the following weeknights:

  • Monday, Dec. 15 – Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014
  • Monday, Dec. 22 – Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014
  • Monday – Thursday nights, Jan. 5 – Jan. 29, 2015

Note: Nighttime activities are not planned between Dec. 24 and Jan. 4.

Work includes site preparation, cutting through the roadway surface and installing drainage to prepare for future intersection modifications.

Crews will close a single lane of each ramp to safely perform their work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction and access will be maintained to the Montlake 76 gas station and other nearby businesses via Montlake Boulevard East.

Crews are performing this work at night in order to avoid disrupting weekday traffic. Nearby residents and businesses may hear noise and feel vibrations from the construction activities. All noisy impact equipment, like jackhammers, will occur before 10 p.m. as required by the city of Seattle temporary noise variance. In accordance with our construction contract and the city of Seattle noise variance, the work will be performed using construction best management practices and sequenced in a way to minimize noise as much as possible.

E LakeSneak peak! Planned daytime work on East Lake Washington Boulevard

Flatiron expects to begin improvements along East Lake Washington Boulevard in the coming weeks. We’ll be sending you further details before the work begins along East Lake Washington Boulevard, but we wanted to give you a sneak preview so you know what to expect.
During construction, drivers can expect temporary lane configurations and on-street parking to be removed so crews have room to complete the street improvements. You may also see crews repairing potholes, pruning and removing trees along East Lake Washington Boulevard, and installing sewer and power utility improvements. Drivers should be on the lookout for “no parking” signs, which will be placed 72 hours in advance of that work starting.

When work is complete, a new roadway configuration will include an additional westbound right-turn lane, a westbound lane that allows vehicles to turn left or continue straight onto eastbound SR 520, and a single eastbound lane on East Lake Washington Boulevard. Crews may take six months or more to complete work and finish the final roadway configuration along East Lake Washington Boulevard.

 

520 Construction Team Apologizes To Neighbors

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On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, the regular monthy meeting of the WSDOT and the Flat Iron Construction Co. leaders met with Montlake residents.  The teams reviewed the November construction activities and reported on plans for December and January.  The activities from the November weekend when 520 was closed to allow removal of the “ramps to nowhere” was discussed.  The team received many complaints from neighbors awaken in the middle  of the night by excessive noise.  The noise was ecessive because a very large jack hammer, that is only to be used during daytime hours was used by mistake, in violation of the noise limits.  The teams apologized for this mistake and tried to assure residents that it would not  happen again.  Because of this mistake the city has revoked the noise ordinance waivers it had previous issued.

Work to remove the ramps progresses very slowly because the contractor is not allowed to let any debris fall  into the wetlands.  That means the pillars must be wrapped so all dust and cement debris can be collected and disposed of off site.

Much of the November work focused on tree removal in the path of the new, wider exit ramp from west bound 520 to north bound Montlake Blvd.  December and January work will be on the exit ramp from the Portage Bay Bridge to Montlake Blvd (the “Hop-In exit”) which will be widened to 3 lanes.  This work will necessitate closure of 1 lane on  the exit ramp which will occur during nightime construction.

Sidewalk work on the east side of Montlake Blvd. will begin soon to widen and smooth the pathway for bikes and walkers.  This work will be coordinated with city arborist staff to ensure that sidewalk trees, including the roots will not be damaged.

Complaints were raised about the frequent noise of the trucks driving in reverse.  The construction team said that the noise could be changed to a lower intensity alarm.  This was done during construction of the east end of the bridge in Bellevue.  They agreed to make this change as soon as possible.

The next meeting will be held at the Graham Visitors’ Center at the Arboretum, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 5:30 to 6:30.

Visit the Montlake.Net Everything 520 Page for updates and meeting notes.