Published June 7 2018
Work is expected to begin the week of June 10 on a demonstration project to create the first bike lanes that run the length of downtown. It’s one of several projects getting underway this month downtown that will improve travel for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Downtown Demonstration Bikeway will run on 108th Avenue Northeast, between Main and Northeast 12th streets, providing a safer and more comfortable route for people riding to the north and south of downtown.
Construction hours will be at night, 7 p.m.-4 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, to minimize traffic impacts. Please move safely through work zones and observe flaggers and signage.
Work is slated to finish in early July. A celebration to mark the new bikeway is planned for Tuesday, July 31, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 600 108th Ave. NE.
The construction cost is $365,933 and the project is fully funded by the voter-approved Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy. Other nearby projects advancing this month include:
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Northtowne Bicycle Improvements on 108th Avenue Northeast: This project is separate from the Downtown Demonstration Bikeway project but on the same street, between Northeast 12th and 24th streets. Construction could begin as early as the week of June 11 and wrap up in less than two weeks. Work hours will be 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. Bike lanes will be added on both sides of the street where space allows and the shoulders will be widened in other stretches of the road to improve walking and bicycling.
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Raised pavement on 106th Avenue Northeast: Located at the intersection of Northeast Sixth Street, where the downtown Pedestrian Corridor crosses 106th Avenue Northeast, work includes raising the crosswalk pavement to make it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians. Construction, which began May 29 and requires a full closure of 106th Avenue until June 19, will be complete before July 27. The construction cost is $735,951.
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Bike lane markings on 112th Avenue Northeast: Also beginning in the coming days is a project to add bike lane markings on 112th Avenue, between Northeast Eighth to 10th streets. It will take approximately six working days to complete and generate some lane closures and traffic impacts. Again, work hours will be 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. To avoid delays, please use an alternate route.
The Northtowne project is fully funded by the levy and part of a package of bicycle system improvements that were bundled together to attract lower bids on the construction contract. The total construction contract is for $294,487. Other project locations are on Southeast 38th Street, 139th Avenue Southeast and 142nd Avenue Southeast.
To keep track of roadway impacts citywide, check the city’s Traffic Advisories and Real-time Traffic Map.