The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will host an open house to provide an update on the final designs for improving several Georgetown streets as well as the bridge on Airport Way over the Argo Railroad Yard.

Project staff from the Seattle Department of Transportation will present to the community the final project designs and construction plans. The projects are designed in accordance with Mayor McGinn’s Walk Bike Ride initiative and the City of Seattle’s Complete Streets Policy in order to improve the roadways for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, commuters, freight traffic and public transit.

The Georgetown streets to be improved are:

• Airport Way South from South Lucille Street to South Hardy Street

• Ellis Avenue South from East Marginal Way South to South Albro Place

• South Albro Place from Ellis Avenue South to Stanley Avenue South

• Corson Avenue South from East Marginal Way South to South Michigan Street

• East Marginal Way South from Fourth Avenue South to the Seattle city limits.

The work, which will enhance safety for all users, includes street paving, new curb ramps and curb bulbs, traffic detection at signals that is bicycle-sensitive, minor drainage upgrades and utility adjustments, and new lane markings. Please see the project Web site for further information.

The supports under the approaches (raised roadways leading to the bridge) on Airport Way South over the Argo Railroad Yard will be replaced by filling in the space under the roadway and enclosing the filled area with walls. The main span of the bridge will be rehabilitated and retrofitted to better enable the structure to withstand a major earthquake. The viaduct will be closed starting June 2011 for approximately 12 to 14 months and all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists, will be detoured to nearby streets. Please see the
Web site for the bridge project. For more information: George Frost, (206) 615-0786

Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548