May 2008
- WSDOT has accomplished a key pre-construction milestone: shortlisting three contractors to submit design-build proposals for Phase 2. The three contractors are Guy F. Atkinson Construction LLC, Parsons/Kuney A Joint Venture and Kiewit Pacific Co.
- Crews working for WSDOT will conduct utility surveying (pdf 53 kb) in the SR 519 project area the week of May 12. View the work underway from an SDOT camera: Royal Brougham at Safeco Field.
- The SR 519 Intermodal Access Project Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was released on April 25. We appreciate all the input received during the formal comment period, and our responses to all the comments can be found in the FONSI.
- The SR 519 project is moving towards construction; WSDOT crews plan to break ground in fall 2008.
WSDOT is improving connections for ferry and freight traffic to the Port of Seattle terminals and the central waterfront area. SR 519 improvements will separate car, freight, pedestrian and rail traffic to help improve mobility, pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of collisions.
Why is WSDOT
making improvements to State Route 519?
SR 519 in Seattle, known to most people as South Atlantic Street (Edgar Martinez Way), is an important thoroughfare for cars, trucks and pedestrians in Seattle's SODO district. In fall 2003, WSDOT opened the new SR 519 South Atlantic Street on-ramp to I-5 and I-90. This overpass separates road and railway traffic and improves access between I-90 and waterfront locations such as the Port of Seattle and Seattle Ferry Terminal.
Now that the South Atlantic Street on-ramp has been completed, WSDOT and our project partners have agreed on a design for Phase 2. In January 2007, we began working on the environmental documentation for the Phase 2: Atlantic Corridor option. Since that point we have continued advancing the design and now have a construction start goal of fall 2008. These next improvements are necessary to eliminate the remaining safety issues related to surface-level rail crossings. The improvements will also provide for current and future safe and efficient waterfront access for both freight and general traffic.
Many agencies have contributed ideas, design work and dollars to this project. The Port of Seattle, City of Seattle, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board are among the past funding partners.
The End Result
In 2004, WSDOT opened to traffic the new South Atlantic Street (Edgar Martinez Way) on-ramps to I-5 and I-90 and the South Atlantic Street overpass. WSDOT envisioned these connections as the first phase in a project aimed at creating two grade-separated crossings at South Atlantic Street and South Royal Brougham Way. Upon opening, freight, ferry and event traffic saw immediate improvement in their connections to the Port of Seattle, waterfront and stadium areas.
During Phase 1 construction, changes occurred in the project area and to the conditions established in a 2000 memorandum of agreement between the signatories, resulting in reevaluation of the original Phase 2 plans.
In April 2006, WSDOT completed a feasibility study that investigated 21 alternatives, from which three were chosen as viable options.
In July 2006, further study was conducted on those three alternatives, as well as others. The study, staffed by executives and technical staff from WSDOT, City of Seattle and Port of Seattle analyzed: 1) the new alternatives; and 2) whether previously eliminated ideas could be modified into feasible solutions. The study revolved around the reconsideration of South Royal Brougham corridor options, and the need to ensure the previously explored Atlantic/Massachusetts corridor options would be compatible with freight movement between the interstate and Duwamish area.
The study identified three options for further consideration:
- Option A: Royal Brougham Corridor
- Option B: Atlantic Corridor
- Option C: Local Improvements
On Nov. 2, 2006, the three lead agencies agreed that Option B: Atlantic Corridor is the best option for Phase 2.
The Atlantic Corridor option will connect a westbound off-ramp from I-5 and I-90 to the current South Atlantic Street overpass (South Atlantic Street’s current eastbound lanes would remain intact). Improvements at the intersections of First Avenue South and South Atlantic Street and First Avenue South and Occidental Avenue South will be made as well. Additionally, a grade-separated crossing at South Royal Brougham Way will be built.
Throughout 2007, the project team continued meeting with stakeholders to gather feedback on the project to ensure design efficiency and fully incorporate urban design elements. Also during this period the project team advanced its environmental review process. The SR 519 Environmental Assessment (EA) was released in early February 2008 and the official comment period ended March 7, 2008. The SR 519 project team is currently reviewing the agency and public comments received regarding the Environmental Assessment.
Throughout the design process and construction, WSDOT will continue working with its stakeholders to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget.
Project Benefits
• Commuters: Those who wish to avoid train traffic can now use the South Atlantic Street overpass to cross over trains and avoid delays. The remaining SR 519 improvements are intended to provide additional traffic capacity and further eliminate the delays and traffic safety issues related to the surface level rail crossing on South Royal Brougham Way.
• Pedestrians: South Atlantic Street now has wide walking corridors and easy access sidewalks. The remaining SR 519 improvements are intended to ultimately eliminate the pedestrian safety issues related to the surface level rail crossing on South Royal Brougham Way. WSDOT will accomplish this by adding a grade-separated crossing.
• Port of Seattle: By reducing railroad and freight conflicts, the Port of Seattle will be able to move product from the Port to market more quickly.
What is the project timeline?
Spring 2004 - Phase 1 opens to vehicles
Summer 2006 - WSDOT works with the signatories and other interested groups to develop the next phase of project improvements. The intent of this additional work is to enhance access for freight and waterfront traffic, as well as improve pedestrian safety across the railroad tracks crossing South Royal Brougham Way. Phase 2 will also improve access between I-90 and First Avenue South, and improve traffic flow in the area. The Nickel Funding Package helps fund the second phase of this project.
Fall 2006 – WSDOT, City of Seattle and Port of Seattle share results of the 30-day review with the signatories, elected officials and interested parties. The tri-agency team holds a meeting with the interested parties to announce the unanimous agreement to move forward with the Atlantic Corridor option.
Winter 2007 – WSDOT begins advancing design and environmental work on the Atlantic Corridor option. The team continues to share the results of their efforts with agencies, elected officials and interested parties.
Summer 2007 – WSDOT holds agency and public scoping meetings for the SR 519 Intermodal Access Project environmental assessment.
Fall 2007 – The environmental team analyzes the feedback it received at the agency and public scoping meetings and prepares discipline reports for the new environmental assessment.
Winter 2008 – WSDOT plans to employ a design-build project delivery method for construction. Design-build is a method whereby WSDOT engages in a single contract with one entity (the Design-Builder) for design and construction services to provide a finished product. By using this method, the likely completion date is late 2010 or early 2011. By pursuing a design-build model, the project would be delivered faster than with a traditional design-bid-build model.
In late February, the project team releases the Request for Qualifications and, on March 14, holds a Voluntary Submitters Meeting to discuss the Atlantic Corridor project.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. We have met many times with community and other interest groups to provide updates on the project and seek feedback. We will continue to involve the public as we continue to develop improvements and begin construction.
Environmental Protection
We are working to develop a design that blends with the existing environment, considers aesthetics and allows for multi-modal transportation, including pedestrian and bicycle access.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
In addition to saving time for users, the separation of trains, drivers and pedestrians will improve safety in the stadium area.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
We will involve the tribes in this project during the environmental assessment phase.
To learn more about Section 106 Tribal Consultation (also called government-to-government tribal consultation process), please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on Feb. 19, 2003).
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
Phase 1
- State Preexisting Funds and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) Funds - $30.9 million
- Federal Highway Administration - $54.6 million
- Other Funds - $23.8 million
These funds were provided by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, King County, Federal Transit Authority, Public Facilities District and others.
- Total funding from all sources - $109.3 million
Phase 2 -
- State Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Funding) - $62.9 million
- State Freight Mobility Funds - $4.6 million
- Federal Highway Administration - $0.85 million
- Other Funds - $6 million
- Total funding from all sources - $74.4 million
The total funding for Phase 1 and Phase 2 is approximately $183.7 million.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
SR 519 Project Engineer Roland Benito
WSDOT Project Design Office
999 3rd Avenue, Suite 2424
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-267-6862
Rose Evonuk, Communications Officer
WSDOT
999 Third Avenue, Suite 2424
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-267-6822
UCO Communications, Victoria Tobin
WSDOT Communications
401 Second Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-464-1184
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