23rd Ave construction update: Jackson closure this weekend, drop-in tonight, early work in Zone B

Full intersection closure at S Jackson Street and 23rd Avenue S this weekend This weekend, crews will continue demolition and paving work at the intersection of S Jackson Street and 23rd Avenue S. The intersection will be fully closed to vehicle traffic and buses from 9 p.m. on Friday, July 24, through 6 a.m. on Monday, July 27. Throughout all hours of the weekend, neighbors can expect general construction noise, dust and vibration from dumping and hauling activities. As with the previous weekend of work at this intersection, work on Friday night will be especially noisy from 9 to 11 p.m. as the contractor works to complete concrete breaking after the bus trolley wires have been de-energized. Read the latest construction notice to learn more about the work and detours. Please note that this work is weather dependent. In the event that the work is cancelled, it will be rescheduled for a future date. Businesses on 23rd Avenue and S Jackson Street are open during this work, so please continue showing them your support during construction! Customers can continue to access businesses by car, by driving into the local access areas, or on foot.  One to two additional weekends of construction are expected in the S Jackson Street intersection for electrical and asphalt paving work. These weekend closures are not expected to occur until September and will likely be the final closures for this intersection.  Reminder: Community drop-in session tonight! Please join us tonight at Garfield Community Center for our monthly community drop-in session. Swing by anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to talk with the project team about the project or construction, including our efforts to help address cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets. Don’t worry if you can’t make the meeting; we’ll provide a recap in next week’s email update. Wednesday, July 22, 2015, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Garfield Community Center, Computer Lab  2323 E Cherry Street, Seattle, WA 98122 Preliminary utility work in Zone B starts week of August 10  The week of August 10, crews will begin work north of E Cherry Street to replace the water main under the street. This work will start between E Cherry Street and E Spring Street, and is expected to last about two months before continuing north. During this work, drivers can still travel both north and south on 23rd Avenue, though travel will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The full northbound closure and detour is not expected to begin in the area between E Cherry and E Union Streets (Zone B) until early 2016. View the construction notice about this work for more information.  Umoja Fest next weekend We hope you are planning to attend this year’s Umoja Fest—Africatown Heritage Festival and Parade—right here in the Central District, July 31 - August 2! While no weekend construction is planned on 23rd Avenue during the festival, neighbors can expect increased traffic in the neighborhood, especially on Saturday, August 1, when major road closures and detours will be in place around the parade route. We will share additional tips for travel in the area in next week’s email update. For more information Visit: www.seattle.gov/transportation/23rd_Ave.htm Email: 23rdAveCorridor@seattle.gov Call the 24-hour project hotline: 206-727-8857 If you need this information translated, or to request an interpreter, please call 206-727-8857. 23rd Avenue Corridor Improvements Project The purpose of the 23rd Avenue Corridor Improvements Project is to improve safety and mobility for people who drive, walk, bike and take transit. Phase 1 of the project includes modifying 23rd Avenue between E John Street and S Jackson Street from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane. This phase of work also includes replacing the water main, installing new pavement, sidewalk improvements, traffic signal improvements, lighting improvements and public art. Click here to view the project fact sheet. Construction started in Zone A, between S Jackson and E Cherry streets, and will proceed into the other two zones. Work in Zone A started on June 8 and is expected to last for about eight months. All Phase 1 construction is expected to be complete by early 2017.