Mobility & Transportation
Goals include increased development of non-vehicular mobility options to achieve a safe, connected, and accessible Duwamish Valley, including safe walking and biking connections and improvements to freight mobility and transportation access that do not conflict with the residential community.
2023 Progress Highlights
View the full 2023 Annual Update
NEW: Reconnect South Park (RSP)
With initial funds awarded from the state, the City awarded two contracts for engagement efforts and technical studies in late 2022/early 2023. In 2023, the community-led engagement team discussed the project with over 600 of their neighbors at meetings, festivals and events and also collected ideas through an online survey.
In 2023, Reconnect South Park was also selected for the first round of the federal Reconnecting Communities pilot grant program, adding to a total of $2.5 million in state and federal grant funding.
Georgetown-South Park Connection Trail
In 2023, the City began pre-construction activities, including permitting for a section of the project that crosses the complex intersection of 16th Ave S and E Marginal Way S. To help move the project forward, we are making interim changes to the design at this location with a paint and post treatment in the place of the proposed concrete curb.
Drainage and Street Improvements
SDOT has installed and will continue to work on roadside swales and remove compacted gravel at the edge of the roadway between the sidewalk and street on:
- S Concord St in South Park
- S Elmgrove St in South Park
- S Trenton St in South Park
- 6th Ave S in Georgetown
South Park Drainage and Roadway Partnership
In coordination with SDOT, SPU completed construction on an improved drainage system in the industrial area of South Park. This project will work in tandem with the flood control pump station to reduce flooding in the industrial and residential areas in the northern part of South Park. The pipe improvements will collect and convey flows to the existing drainage system and lessen overall flooding. The drainage system will direct stormwater to the flood control pump station, which will pump stormwater to the Duwamish River, and to the future water quality facility.
8th Ave S. and Gateway Park North
SDOT took over management of this site, and conducted a remediation (read: pollution) assessment of the area. There were elevated levels of pollution found, and SDOT is working with the Department of Ecology to understand if a formal Agreed Order or voluntary cleanup will be necessary.
2022 Progress Updates
NEW: Reconnect South Park (RSP)
Reconnect South Park updates
South Park community members successfully lobbied for $600,000 from the State of Washington to support the Reconnect South Park (RSP) initiative. This project aligns with the goals of the new federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, and aims to address the harmful health impacts and barriers to local mobility caused by the highway today.
***Video created by University of British Columbia graduate students Cansu Undeyoglu, Jenn Richards, Sheena Jain, and Shruti Misra for a studio project focused on re-envisioning 99 through South Park. Specific design ideas do not reflect community- or government-proposed changes***
Georgetown Mobility Study
Implementation updates
SDOT is working holistically to reduce the impacts of freight movement through Georgetown. On one hand, SDOT continues to provide guidance and assistance to residents of Georgetown to help them effectively report train horn noise in the middle of the night directly to the railroads. On the other, SDOT is implementing designated on-street overnight truck tractor parking on Harbor Island to establish areas where drayage truck drivers can leave trucks overnight.
Georgetown-South Park Connection
Trail updates
The City fully funded the Connection Trail in 2021, and construction was originally expected to start in 2022. However, due to unforeseen delays caused by the pandemic and the environmental permitting process, construction will begin in the summer of 2023.
Drainage and Street Improvements
Street updates
SDOT has installed and will continue to work on roadside swales and remove compacted gravel at the edge of the roadway between the sidewalk and street. Additionally, they will add greenery and planting and give residents voice in what gets planted outside their house. This greenery adds many benefits to community, including stormwater benefits. SDOT is currently pursuing this treatment on S Concord St in South Park, S Elmgrove St in South Park, S Trenton St in South Park, and 6th Ave S in Georgetown
South Park Drainage and Roadway Partnership
In coordination with SDOT, SPU is continuing construction on an improved drainage system in the industrial area of South Park. When complete, this project will work in tandem with the flood control pump station to reduce flooding in the industrial and residential areas in the northern part of South Park. The pipe improvements will collect and convey flows to the existing drainage system and lessen overall flooding. The drainage system will direct stormwater to the flood control pump station, which will pump stormwater to the Duwamish River, and to the future water quality facility.
Mid-term Improvements to Gateway Park North in Georgetown
8th Ave. S and Gateway Park North updates
Duwamish Valley Program worked with SDOT to secure $1.75 million to make improvements to the street end as the City works to turn this area into a usable community space.The Port of Seattle and community leaders—with major support from youth in the Georgetown Open Space Committee—helped to move large logs to establish temporary nurseries. SDOT established a more permanent construction fence at the site to ensure work could move smoothly. In addition, SDOT poured asphalt on the street end to eliminate the low point where water accumulates at the site. This project is one of the pilot projects for the Resilience District work.
2021 Progress
SDOT secured funding for the construction of the Georgetown to South Park Connection/Trail (including the intersection at 16th Ave. S and E Marginal Way S) and SPU and SDOT began a project to improve chronic flooding and drainage issues in South Park.
2020 Progress
SDOT secured funding for the construction of the Georgetown to South Park Connection/Trail and made sidewalk improvements to 8th Ave. S in South Park.