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City of Des Moines
Transportation Gateway Project
Project Update: May 12, 2009
NOTICE - Open house #2 has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 5:00 to 7:30 pm in the Des Moines Senior Activity Center, 2045 S. 216th St. The intent of this second open house is to provide citizens, property owners and businesses an opportunity to review alternative design concepts for the corridors.
Background
In general, the Transportation Gateway Project entails upgrading two City arterials: S. 216th St between I-5 and 18th Avenue S and 24th Avenue S. between S. 216th St to S. 208th St. The below map and graphic shows how the Transportation Gateway Project will eventually link with the surrounding land use and transportation system.
This project will accommodate growth of Pacific Ridge area as it transitions to more intensive business park, multi family and retail uses. This growth is expected to generate up to 35,000 vehicles per day.
Generally, the new roadways require widening to nearly 100’, adding two lanes in each direction, center medians and turn lanes, bicycle lanes, and ADA accessible sidewalks and bus stops. Storm water will be collected and treated to protect water quality. Need for these capacity improvements has been documented in the update to the City of Des Moines Comprehensive Transportation Plan, including the S. 216th Corridor Study.
The first open house held on April 14, 2009 offered citizens an opportunity to review development plans in the area, understand the related transportation issues, as well as engage in meaningful dialog to about designing the project. Design objectives for the project were defined to assist in making these roadways complete streets by improving mobility and safety for vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian, bicycle and transit users. Several concerns were express about the project’s impact on commercial access and residential properties.
Alternatives
The City is currently in the process of developing alternatives for the necessary roadway widening on 24th Avenue S and S 216th Street within the project limits. A typical roadway cross-section will accommodate a 5 lane roadway within a 99’ right of way. The range of alternatives being considered includes expansion of the roadway using an alignment that is symmetrical to the roadway centerline or applying a concept of "best fit" that allows the right of way to meander off the current centerline to minimize impacts to developed properties and utilities. The alignment alternatives are being refined using a detailed base map that accurately depicts local conditions. Open house #2 will provide an opportunity to review design concepts and provide additional feedback as staff makes recommendations to advance the project into final design. The City is coordinating with a variety of other agencies and utilities, including the City of SeaTac, to make sure the improvements mesh well with area plans.
More detail on the project need for the project can be found in the previous project updates: Update: April 7, 2009.
Civil Engineering Services & Schedule
The adopted 2009 Capital Improvement Plan programmed the start of engineering to upgrade S. 216th St and 24th Avenue S. After review of qualifications from several firms, the City selected KPG, Inc on March 26, 2009, to begin design on these two roadways. Field survey crews are now at work establishing base map information to be used during design.
Alternatives will be evaluated this spring with selection of a final alignment and roadway design concept by mid summer. A design report will be prepared in the fall detailing the project scope which will guide the project through preparation of final contract documents.
Funding
The engineering work is funded, in part, with a loan from the Washington State Public Works Trust Board as well as development fees and arterial road funds as approved in the City’s Capital Improvement Program. As design progresses over the next 18 months the City is actively seeking additional funding for right of way and construction. Development will contribute a fair share to the improvements on South 216th Street and 24th Avenue South, through frontage improvements, utility undergrounding and off-site mitigation.
Questions?
Persons with questions or comments are urged to contact the Len Madsen, Project Manager at gatewayinfo@desmoineswa.gov.
Gateway Web Archives:
Update: April 7, 2009
Update: April 1, 2009
Update: February 6, 2009
Update: January 19, 2009
