4th Ave S Paving Project is now underway!
Dear Neighbor,
As you may have noticed, construction for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 4th Ave S Paving Project is now underway. As of last week, crews began preliminary work to repave 4th Ave S between S Spokane St and S Royal Brougham Way (see map below and attached). The project is off to a great start, and we thank you for your patience as we work to make the roadway safer for all who use it. SDOT is committed to keeping you informed throughout construction. You can expect to receive weekly project update emails like this one moving forward.
About the project
4th Ave S is a major arterial road in SODO that carries approximately 35,000 vehicles a day, many of which are trucks. The heavy use of 4th Ave S has left many sections of the road in need of maintenance and repair. To repair and repave the street, crews will:
– Remove the top 2 inches of asphalt to identify and perform road base repair as needed
– Reconstruct curb lanes and a few other spot areas per block to better withstand the weight of heavy vehicles
– Repave the street from curb to curb
At certain intersections and locations throughout the project corridor, we will also install curb ramps compliant with current federal Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act standards, replace traffic detection loops in the pavement, install drainage systems, and replace buckled sidewalks. In general, crews will work south to north during weekday daytime hours. Construction is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete.
What construction activities are up next?
Over the next 2 weeks, crews plan to work on 4th Ave S from S Spokane St to Holgate St during normal work hours to complete the following:
– First, they will continue sawcutting the roadway, one lane at a time. This work is noisy.
– Next, crews will dig up the existing pavement, perform base repairs, and cover the excavated areas with compacted fill and asphalt. This material will allow the roadway to be used prior to final paving, which is expected to occur as early as October.
– We anticipate night and weekend work in early September, and will provide additional information next week.
What to expect throughout construction
We work with crews to minimize impacts during construction to the extent practical and feasible. Here’s an overview of what construction near you will look like and the anticipated impacts:
– Weekday work from 7 AM – 4 PM, with some anticipated night and weekend work. Night and weekend work will be communicated in advance.
– Intermittent lane closures around the work zone. Typically, 2 lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction, though vehicles moving in either direction may be temporarily shifted to the center turn lane.
– Access to driveways and businesses will be maintained, though some on-street parking may be temporarily removed in and around the work zone.
– Sidewalks will remain accessible, although corners with new curb ramps may be closed for installation. In such cases, signed detours will direct those walking.
– Construction-related noise, dust, vibration, and asphalt odor
– Rough pavement after grinding and steel plates on the roadway. Roadway users should use extra caution.
– Buses will continue to operate, although some stops will be temporarily closed or moved. For information on changes to Metro stops, please visit kingcounty.gov/me
Questions, concerns, or looking for more information?
There are many ways to stay in touch and get the latest updates:
– Contact our construction outreach team directly via email at 4thAveSPaving@seattle.gov o
– Visit our website and sign up for email updates
– Request a briefing for your business or organization (contact us via email or phone)
