Pedestrian safety project underway in Town Center/ City Briefs

June 14, 2022 12:15 pm
NPM Construction crews work on conduit trenching and placement during the pedestrian safety project. Courtesy of the city of Mercer Island
NPM Construction crews work on conduit trenching and placement during the pedestrian safety project. Courtesy of the city of Mercer Island

In recent years, Aljoya retirement community residents notified the city that they wished to have a safe mid-block crossing for easier access from their building at 2430 76th Avenue SE to nearby Town Center businesses and services.

The new pedestrian safety project — which includes installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon signal, center median, ADA-compliant curb ramp and sidewalk and crosswalk markings — is now underway on 76th Avenue Southeast between Southeast 24th and 27th streets. Work on the project — which is part of the city’s Transporation Improvement Project (TIP) — is expected to last through the end of June, according the city website.

City Manager Jessi Bon said in her report at the June 7 council meeting that they’ve received some emails from concerned residents about the removal of three trees during construction.

She said the design team evaluated all possible locations and configurations, and the project required tree removals to install the features and provide sufficient visibility for both signage and pedestrians. The project team will identify suitable replacements for the removed trees.

One of the trees was already on the removal list since it was uplifting sidewalk panels and constricting a water service line, thus creating maintenance and safety issues.

GUARDRAIL INSTALLED

In response to several vehicles running off the roadway in the 9300 block of Mercerwood Drive over the last few years, the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and engineering teams installed a guardrail at that location. The project is part of the city’s Minor Capital Traffic Operations project.

MERCERDALE PLAYGROUND UPDATE

As of the week of June 13, the Mercerdale Park playground project remained on the holding pattern as Northwest Playground crews awaited multiple days of dry weather required to install the top layer of rubber and play grass surfacing. The crews switched to a different binder to install the rubberized surfacing in slightly drizzly weather. The project will feature a train track design within the surfacing. Playground equipment was installed in January.