Click here for a printable FAQ handout.
What is this project?
The Winslow Way Reconstruction project will replace all of the aging and broken underground utilities (storm, sewer and water), as well as replace all of the street and sidewalk surfaces from SR 305 to Madison Avenue. The project also includes installing accessible ramps at the Winslow Way and Finch intersection, utility and sidewalk improvements for several hundred feet north on Madison Avenue and south on Bjune Drive, and pedestrian crossing improvements at Winslow Way and SR305.
When will this happen?
The project is scheduled to begin no earlier than March of 2011, and end no later than Thanksgiving of 2011 (8-9 months). The section of Winslow Way between Ericksen Avenue and Madison Avenue is expected to be substantially complete prior to July 4th.
How will the street look different after the project is completed?
Throughout the entire project area, failing underground utilities will be replaced to current standards and storm water runoff will be treated with porous pavement and rain gardens before draining into Puget Sound.
Between SR 305 and Ericksen Avenue, the finished work on the surface will include wider and safer sidewalks and crosswalks, and additional landscaping and lighting. There will also be an uphill bike lane and a shared bike/car lane downhill in this area.
Between Ericksen and Madison Avenue, the crosswalk location at Town and County Market will be moved west to ease traffic congestion and to make the crossing safer for pedestrians. Additional bike racks, benches and street and pedestrian lighting will also be installed throughout the corridor.
What will be the same after the project is completed?
Front-in angle parking will still be available throughout downtown and trucks will continue to load in the center of the street at controlled locations. Existing art in the street at Café Nola and the crossing at Madrone Lane will be maintained—other art elements will be relocated or incorporated into the new design. Existing trees will be preserved wherever possible.
What will happen to traffic and parking during construction?
Every effort will be made to accommodate traffic and parking during construction. At this time, we expect that throughout the project continuous west-bound traffic will be maintained between Ericksen and Madison, and two-way traffic will be maintained between Ericksen and SR 305. East-bound traffic will be re-routed along lower Madison and Bjune. Complete street closures, when necessary, will most likely only occur at night. Pedestrian access to stores fronts will be accessible at all times during business hours via temporary sidewalks, ramps and bridges.
We expect to lose somewhere between 20-40 on-street parking spaces at any one time during the project. The City plans to open up the gravel parking lot at City Hall for general public use on weekdays. Notices to the public on street and parking disruptions will be made available on a daily basis via the City’s website, the newspaper, and potentially Twitter and email list serves.
How is the project being paid for?
The total estimated project construction cost is approximately $5.6 million, and almost 90% of the funds are coming from state and federal grant sources and private contributions. The project funding breakdown at the current time is as follows: $780K from utility revenues, $2.2 million from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (grant), $1.6 million from federal grant funds, and $1 million from Winslow Way property owner contributions.
