Washington Middle School Connection

Updated November 26, 2024

What's Happening Now?

We recently completed new construction along the Washington Middle School Connection with additional pavement repairs. Previous work over the summer included updates to curb ramps at 21st Ave and E Alder St, and 21st Ave and E Terrace St. We also added speed humps and new signage along the Neighborhood Greenway.

Two workers performing pavement repairs

Workers performing pavement repairs

Project Overview

The Washington Middle School Connection (21st Ave) Neighborhood Greenway will enhance safe access for students walking and biking to Washington Middle School. It will also connect residents to local parks and businesses as well as the citywide transportation network. It will connect with the existing Central Area North-South Neighborhood Greenway, the existing Central Area East-West Neighborhood Greenway at E Columbia St, the Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway (under construction), and the S King St Neighborhood Greenway (under construction). The new neighborhood greenway will bring affordable, active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities.

This work will be done in three phases.

· Phase one (as early as spring 2020): Installation of improvements at key crossings, including some interim paint and post improvements

· Phase two (as early as summer 2020): Replacement of paint and post improvements with permanent improvements

· Phase three (as early as 2021): Installation of neighborhood greenway route improvements including speed humps, wayfinding signs, and pavement markings

Project Background

In winter of 2018, the Safe Routes to School program worked with parents and students at Washington Middle School to identify a Neighborhood Greenway route to serve students who currently bike to school along 21^st Ave. This Neighborhood Greenway coincides with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative. Starting in 2016, Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative provides projects and programs to connect, enhance and activate links from Neighborhood Greenways to Parks by improving access and amenities for pedestrians and bicycles. The new Neighborhood Greenway will connect to the planned Seattle Parks and Recreation Central Park Trail (Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park and Judkins Park) project. This initiative will make repairs to the pathway in the Dr. Blanche Lavizzo park to improve safety for bicyclists.

What is a Neighborhood Greenway?

Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority.

Neighborhood greenways can include:

20 mph speed limit signs
speed humps to calm traffic
stop signs for side streets crossing the neighborhood greenway
signs and pavement markings to help people find their way
easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks, flashing beacons, or traffic signals

Materials

Construction Notice (Jun 2023)
Project Factsheet (Jan 2020)