Traffic Signal Safety Improvements
Project Status
To help keep area residents informed of our construction progress, we will post project updates to this site on a regular basis. Click here to see status updates.
Project Details/Neighborhood
- SE 27th Street and 77th Avenue SE,
- SE 27th Street and 78th Avenue SE,
- Island Crest Way and SE 40th Street, and
- SE 40th Street and 86th Avenue SE.
Background
This project was identified as a needed improvement in Mercer Island's Local Road Safety Plan due to a frequency of roadway crashes at signalized intersections. The signal upgrades would improve signal visibility, vehicle safety and pedestrian safety/visibility. The City's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan identified the pedestrian push buttons at traffic signals as high priority for replacement. This project was awarded a WSDOT City Safety Program Grant which will fully fund the improvements.
Description
Install flashing yellow arrows with pedestrian protected phasing, leading pedestrian intervals, reflectorized backplates, and Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) push buttons at four signalized intersections.
Project Timeline
Planning/Design Q2 2023 – Q3 2023
Under Construction Q3 2024 – Q4 2024
Estimated Budget
$185,000
Contact
Rebecca O'Sullivan, Transportation Engineer, rebecca.osullivan@mercerisland.gov
Status Updates
January 16, 2025
King County Transportation crews successfully updated signal timings and turned on the new 4-section left-turn signal heads at the SE 27th Street/77th Avenue and SE 27th Street/78th Avenue intersections in Town Center. Crews will install reflective backplate tape on the SE 40th Street/Island Crest Way and SE 40th Street/86th Avenue SE signal heads once weather warms up.
January 9, 2025
This coming weekend, King County Transportation crews will update signal timings at the SE 27th Street/77th Avenue and SE 27th Street/78th Avenue intersections in Town Center. The new 4-section left-turn signal heads will be uncovered and activated upon completion of the signal timing updates. Th City contracts with King County for traffic signal maintenance.
August 2024
Due to long procurement times for the new signal equipment, King County is still waiting for the equipment to be delivered. The City anticipates work to start this fall/winter.
May 2024
All grant paperwork was received and approved by WSDOT. The City has received authorization from WSDOT to begin work. King County Road Maintenance, Signal Units will be completing the work on the traffic signals. At this time, King County is acquiring the materials required for the project. Once all material is received, the work on the intersections will be scheduled. The City expects this work to be completed by the end of summer.
April 9, 2024
After several months of applications and coordination with WSDOT, the City received fund authorization from WSDOT on March 29 for a $185,000 grant that will be used for traffic signal safety improvements. The City is now working with King County to plan and schedule the improvements.
March 2024
City Staff finalized grant funding application and submitted to WSDOT for review on March 13. WSDOT reviews generally take 2-3 weeks.
February 2024
City Staff working with Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to finalize grant funding. NEPA Categorical Exclusion Form has been approved by WSDOT in January. The Public Interest Finding (PIF) was submitted and approved in late February. Both are WSDOT grant requirements for the project.
Planning/Design
A consultant team was hired in June 2023 to begin design work on the signal improvements.