Alki Point sidewalk project update: “Slower than anticipated”

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Catching that view of the “traffic calming feature” taking shape at 63rd/Alki last weekend, we thought it was time to check on progress of the Alki Point sidewalk project that it’s part of, now that construction’s been under way for two months. Here’s the progress report we procured from SDOT’s Therese Casper:

Construction of the sidewalk along Alki Ave SW has been progressing. However, it has been slower than originally anticipated due to utility relocations including a gas line and utility replacement including a portion of the existing storm drain at the southern end of the project area. In addition, water meter adjustments took longer than expected.

The raised crosswalk at the eastern end of the project area is complete as well as the sidewalk to Point Place SW. The remaining sidewalk will be poured Thursday and Friday. All major elements should be complete by early June with a few locations remaining in construction as final utility work is done.

The project was initiated as part of the Neighborhood Street Fund, and drew some controversy in the neighborhood after it finally won a grant, mostly out of concerns that many waterfront residences would lose parking, but SDOT came up with a plan that in the end took away far fewer spaces than originally feared (here’s our report on the pre-construction project-site tour in February, with more information on the project’s scope).

Dis May 21, 2009 (7:19 am)

The city capitulated to the demands of a noisy few. Let’s be honest. There’s nothing democratic about this sidewalk. A few people threw tantrums, and the city threw up its hands and created private parking spaces for them on the PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. Ask where the property line is? What elected official in the city is responsible for giving away the public right of way? The city can’t even protect our public properties. Does the buck stop at SDOT (again)? or DON?

MrJT May 21, 2009 (7:28 am)

Dis, It will all come out in the open when the consultants issue their report…..

Meghan May 21, 2009 (7:36 am)

It’s just yet another example that otherwise good people will always put themselves and their own needs and desires first (e.g. parking spaces, a view, personal convenience) over the good of the community – or even development/property laws or property rights. This lack of the ‘greater good’ is what differentiates America from the countries that work better socially (e.g. northern Europe, Canada) because people actually care about other people and feel that all citizens should have basic tools for living.

KBear May 21, 2009 (9:21 am)

It’s still public parking, I believe. It’s just going to be on the other side of the sidewalk, and always occupied by the residents. Of course, they’ll probably be violating the 72-hour limit and blocking the sidewalk most of the time.

shark May 21, 2009 (10:47 am)

So much timeeeeeeeee……….every stinkin project takes sooooooo….much time…..I’ve moved away for long periods than returned…only to see that so many projects still have not been completed or even decieded upon!!!!!!! Too much brain fog in Seattle…Not just that, but by the time they ACTUALLY DECIDE to do something, we’ve all heard about for so long already….WE ALL WANT TO RIP OUR HAIR OUT!!!! AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!! (YELL)

Mike May 21, 2009 (4:05 pm)

I’ve yet to be down there and see anyone working. there are, however, always areas marked off that never seem to change and the road is torn up, so I assume some magical elf is doing something at some point.

Erik May 21, 2009 (5:04 pm)

I’m sure the guys at Construct Co. will get a chuckle out of being called ‘magical elves.’ Those patches of torn up roadway were 10′ deep holes needed to relocate utilities.
The sidewalks look nice.
Come on down and see what the elves have been doing!

carraig na splinkeen May 21, 2009 (5:38 pm)

SDOT staff if you are reading this, I hope that you will be doing some enforcement on the cars that are parking on the “rolled” curb sidewalks. After all that was done for those down there, it’s not OK that the walkways become de facto parking areas.

Sorry, comment time is over.