Seattle fixing Mercer Mess
The Mercer Corridor was built over forty years ago when the city’s transportation needs and traffic volumes were entirely different to present day. Mercer Street is a primary artery for the city of Seattle and over 80,000 people drive along it every day, but because of increased traffic and inefficient infrastructure, major bottlenecks occur at peak rush hour and limit access to the South Lake Union area, the Seattle Waterfront, the port, major highways and the Seattle Center.
The Seattle Department of Transport (SDOT) acknowledges that the Mercer Corridor has been a significant transport challenge for several decades, so it is not without some pride that the department announced to Seattle news media that work would soon get underway, with an expected completion date in 2013.
“Rebuilding the Mercer Corridor is going to create direct construction jobs, improve port and highway access, and reduce commute times in an area that contains some of our most vital employers,” Senator Pat Murray said in a written statement after Gov. Chris Gregoire indicated that Seattle has received $30 million in federal funds to contribute to the project, which is considerable in its scope.
Mercer Street will be widened into a two way, three-lane (in either direction) boulevard with landscaping and trees lining the route, as well as widened pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes, improved local access and interstate connections, the last issue being of some significance to regular commuters who use Interstate 5 and its Mercer Street on and off ramps.
Seattle news provider, Seattle PI, recently referred to a question by a commuter who wanted to know what would be done about the interstate connections.
The problem with the Mercer Corridor exit for the reader, and many commuters no doubt, is that it’s difficult to navigate the four lanes between Valley Street and Fairview Avenue North as the north and southbound I-5 Mercer Street ramps merge, creating a confusing traffic situation.
In response the SDOT indicated that indeed this situation would also be rectified.
“The two-way Mercer Street design will reduce the amount of weaving that now occurs on the off-ramp and on Fairview Avenue North. Traffic exiting I-5 will be able to continue forward onto the new westbound Mercer lanes at Fairview Avenue North. This should give everyone more time and space to get into the appropriate lane for their preferred direction of travel,” said Eric Widstrand, the Seattle Department of Transportation's city traffic engineer.
The cost of the total project is a hefty $190 million (with some news reports quoting $295 million) at a time when the city is already facing a looming budget deficit requiring spending cuts of $50 million in 2011 and $12 million in 2010.
The first phase of the project is being funded in large part by a $30 million federal grant, part of the larger $1.5 billion TIGER program (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery), which in turn is part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
Buildings are now being demolished and contracts are being awarded to successful bidders, such as Gary Merlino Construction Company, Inc, for the work to be done on the Mercer Corridor, which will also see many trees destroyed along with the buildings in the way of the widening project.
Around 140 trees are directly in the way of the improved road plan and will need to be removed. However, the trees that are removed will reportedly be replaced by 280 new trees, which will line the new boulevard and form part of a rain garden to be constructed by the SDOT.
The Department of Transport has estimated that around 22,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created and sustained through the completion of the project, which it is hoped will not only make life easier for residents of the city, but encourage investment as well.
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Seattle fixing Mercer Mess
Seattle’s Department of Transport has plans to improve the Mercer Corridor or Mercer Mess as it is known to many residents of the city, Seattle news media have been reporting on the plans for some time, but a groundbreaking ceremony now marks the beginning of the major project.
The Mercer Corridor was built over forty years ago when the city’s transportation needs and traffic volumes were entirely different to present day. Mercer Street is a primary artery for the city of Seattle and over 80,000 people drive along it every day, but because of increased traffic and inefficient infrastructure, major bottlenecks occur at peak rush hour and limit access to the South Lake Union area, the Seattle Waterfront, the port, major highways and the Seattle Center. Read more
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