Back on February 26th, the City announced work on the new enhanced crosswalks on middle Commercial Street:
Phase 1 (Starting March 4, 2024) This phase will include the installation of a bicycle signal on Liberty Road S and a flashing beacon on Commercial Street SE at Triangle Drive SE. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers should use caution and expect some lane closures and delays.
During Phase 1, pedestrian access may be restricted within the work areas and temporary pedestrian routes will be identified around the work zone.
Through May construction seems to have stalled and the "temporary pedestrian routes" as well as bike lane alternatives are nowhere to be seen. There might be good reasons for all this, but as a matter of legibility to a random person on foot or on bike, it looks like an abandoned work site and a careless approach to non-auto travel. It's a #WorkZoneWTF.
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| Blocked! This week |
The northbound bike lane on Commercial intersecting the new crosswalk at Triangle Drive has been completely blocked for weeks, and no apparent progress is being made in the coned and barricaded area.
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| Early in May from the other side |
The sidewalk is also blocked and forces a person to cross a number of awkward curbs, bark mulch planting areas, and gravel. On strong two feet it can be hiked, but in a wheelchair or with a cane or other mobility device, it's functionally blocked. There's no clearly identified "temporary pedestrian route."
The City could have used part of the outer auto travel lanes and some barricades to construct a path for people, but in not doing so they seem unwilling to neck down the street for cars and drivers.
Still, with the barricades narrowing the visual width of the street, though not the actual car travel lane widths, it would be interesting to conduct a speed study for empirical data on any traffic calming. There's likely an effect!
Hopefully construction will pick up again soon, and at worst in the next phase:
Phase 2 (Starting in summer 2024) This phase will include restriping lane lines of Commercial Street SE to install dedicated bike lanes with high-visibility green markings.
During Phase 2, work is expected to occur in the overnight hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) Temporary traffic control will include lane closures, limited sidewalk access, and delays along Commercial Street SE from Oxford Street SE to Madrona Avenue SE.
Update, July 2nd
From last night.
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| Sidewalk and bike lane still blocked |
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| But new curbing and concrete |
Here and at Alice/Vista, the "Road Work Ahead" signs block the bike lane, even without construction encroaching, forcing people to take the lane. At typical speeds and traffic volumes, "Bikes on Roadway" signs are not helpful. This is effectively a gap and blocked bike lane. Very few are willing to venture out into car traffic here.
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| "Bikes on Roadway" not helpful here |
3 comments:
It is necessary to let the concrete foundations for the posts dry thoroughly.
Based on others I have seen, the time for completion is nearing.
Assuming that all of the parts are available, final construction should go quickly.
This is taking more than a month longer than the one on Royvonne, for example. It started later in the year, under warmer and drier conditions, but still.
In any case, the main problem is the lack of accommodation for non-auto travel.
Updated with pics showing continued lack of accommodation and the slow pace.
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