Streetcar changes the way of Westlake

One-way road segment converts to two-way traffic Sept. 9

Photo by Lillian Furlong In preparation for the new streetcar, the Seattle Department of Transportation is permanently converting Westlake Avenue between Blanchard Street and Valley Street from four northbound lanes to two northbound and two southbound lanes of traffic. The conversion process is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 8 and will take effect 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9.

In conjunction with upcoming completion of the new Seattle streetcar line in South Lake Union, Westlake Avenue between Blanchard Street and Valley Street will permanently convert from four northbound lanes to two northbound and two southbound lanes of traffic effective 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9.

The change includes the creation of left-turn pockets at Valley Street, Mercer Street, Republican Street and Denny Street. On-street parking will be available on both sides of Westlake Avenue between Republican Street and Denny Way.

The city sites a number of benefits to the Westlake Avenue traffic conversion:

• Improved business access and pedestrian environment — the two-way street will provide more circulation options.



• Improved pedestrian safety — The project includes new crosswalk striping and crossing signals, and accessible pedestrian ramps.



• Enhanced transit service — two-way operations will allow the streetcar to provide a direct connection between South Lake Union and the downtown core. Additionally, Metro plans to reroute southbound travel of the Route 17 bus from Ninth Avenue to Westlake Avenue, further centralizing transit service to the core of the neighborhood.

As part of the restriping, a solid white line 7.5 feet from the curb will designate areas for on-street parking. When the streetcar testing begins in early October, drivers must remember to park vehicles within that line to allow for passage of the streetcar. The city may ticket or impound vehicles that are not entirely within the solid white line. To accommodate larger vehicles and deliveries along the streetcar route, the city will relocate loading zones from Westlake Avenue to side streets.

[Adapted from a news release from the Seattle Department of Transportation.]

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