Frequently Asked Questions: 23rd Ave Corridor Improvements Project
Frequently Asked Questions: 23rd Ave Corridor Improvements Project
Rechannelization
Has SDOT decided on the preferred 3-lane configuration? Yes. This decision was informed by traffic analyses, community feedback and the goal to balance multiple transportation modes in the corridor. The 23rd Avenue Corridor Improvements Project originally began as a repaving project from E John Street to S Jackson Street. Through acquiring several grants, SDOT evaluated the corridor and determined that a three-lane configuration would address various interests, including safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles; transit speed and reliability; and corridor aesthetics. The corridor, which serves fewer than 25,000 vehicles per day, meets the criteria for the new configuration. The Complete Streets Assessment supports a three-lane corridor with parallel greenway, and was informed by the City of Seattles Pedestrian Master Plan, Bicycle Master Plan, and Transit Master Plan. Which intersections will stay 4-lane? The intersections at E Yesler Way and S Jackson Street will remain a four-lane configuration. The roadway north of E Madison Street, including the intersection, will also remain as four lanes; however the southbound right lane at the intersection will be right turn only. How was public involvement used in the decision to change the roadway to three lanes? While evaluating the corridor and considering a reconfiguration, SDOT reached out to the community for input, including hosting a public meeting (March 2013). A second open house (June 2013) presented the preferred alternative for the corridor: a 3-lane cross-section with a parallel greenway facility to facilitate north-south circulation for cyclists. SDOT has also participated in other community events to provide information and gather feedback related to the project design.
Traffic impacts
Wont rechannelizing the roadway limit capacity and increase travel time? Travel time is estimated to increase one to two minutes over the length of Phases 1 and 2 (E John Street to Rainier Avenue S). However, the reconfiguration will widen most lanes and result in safety improvements for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Speed and reliability for transit users is expected to increase 10-20% using Transit Signal Priority (TSP). Will the new configuration improve left turns from side streets onto 23rd Ave? A three-lane configuration between Rainier Avenue S and E John Street is expected to improve left turns onto 23rd Avenue S since traffic will only need to cross one lane, instead of two. Wont there be bus backups when you reduce the number of lanes? At most of the bus stops, the lane will flare to be 20-feet-wide to allow cars to safely bypass a bus. We are actively coordinating with Metro regarding design and operations. Preliminary analysis suggests that in Phases 1 and 2 (between E John Street and Rainier Avenue S), travel time for automobiles is expected to increase by approximately one to two minutes. Will the buses have pullouts, or will they have to stop in-lane? SDOT is actively coordinating with Metro regarding design and operations on 23rd Avenue. As part of the design process, we have been evaluating options to safely accommodate buses and vehicles, keeping travel time and reliability in mind. Creating a separate bus pullout often makes it difficult for buses to merge back into traffic. However, the lane width will fare at some bus stops to allow vehicles to safely bypass a bus.
For more information, contact: [email protected] Maribel Cruz Outreach Lead 206-684-7963