Starting Monday, March 7, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will begin a major street improvement project on Dexter Avenue North that will extend from Fourth Avenue North (just south of the Fremont Bridge) to Roy Street, approximately one and a half miles.

The project has benefits for everyone who uses the street. In accordance with Mayor Mike McGinn’s Walk, Bike Ride initiative and the city’s Complete Streets policy, the work will include improvements for motor vehicles, pedestrians, public transit, and bicyclists. When completed, Dexter will have wider, buffered bike lanes, dedicated left-turn lanes at busy intersections and in-lane bus stops. The bus stops will have dedicated bus islands that will improve transit speed and reliability and minimize the conflicts with bikes and stopped buses. There will be dedicated load zones for businesses that need them. Sidewalks, street lighting, and drainage will also be improved.

The work is divided into three phases to reduce traffic impacts, with everything completed by the end of September. The first phase, from just south of the Fremont Bridge to McGraw Street (not including the intersection at Nickerson Street), will be completed in late April. During construction, on-street parking and loading will be restricted in the construction zone. Dexter will be open at all times; however, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Flaggers may be used during mid-day to reduce traffic into a single lane. Bikes will merge with vehicle traffic. Other options for bicyclists include riding on Dexter Avenue sidewalks, the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, or Westlake Avenue North. (The Cheshiahud Loop is just east of Westlake Avenue North.)

The Dexter project is part of the city’s annual paving program and is funded by the Bridging the Gap program approved by Seattle voters. Other streets to be paved this year include 15th Avenue Northeast in the University District, parts of Rainier Avenue South, and several streets in Georgetown.

For more information on Dexter Avenue N street improvements, please see the project Web site at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/dexter_pave.htm.

For more information: George Frost, (206) 615-0786

Media contact: Marybeth Turner (206) 684-8548