Sunset Hwy/77th Ave SE Intersection 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
- South of East Link Rail Station access on 77th Ave SE
Background
This intersection is directly adjacent to the East Link station access and is expected to experience an increase in pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic when the rail station opens. The Aubrey Davis Park and Mountains to Sound Greenway trail system which crosses 77th Ave SE at the Sunset Hwy intersection.
Description
The project includes the construction of a raised concrete intersection with rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFB) at the north and south crosswalks. The raised intersection will provide ramps on each approach, bringing cars up to the same level as the sidewalk, signaling that they are entering a pedestrian zone. Raised medians and flashing crosswalk signs will provide pedestrians with higher visibility and separation from oncoming traffic. All sidewalks and ramps will be ADA compliant and new bike lane markings will be installed on 77th Avenue. The new intersection is designed to create a “gateway” from the East Link station and I-90 ramps into the Mercer Island Town Center by enforcing slow vehicle speeds and encouraging motorists to yield to pedestrians.
Project Timeline
Design: Completed in Spring 2022
Construction: Begins in January 2023 with a substantial completion date of June 30th, 2023.
Estimated Budget
2021-2022: $130,000
2023: $1,600,000
Contact
Lia Klein, City of Mercer Island Transportation Engineer: publicworks@mercerisland.gov
www.mercerisland.gov/street 22-32
Status Updates
December 2023 Update
Photo: Finishing touches on the southwest corner of the intersection.
Construction was completed in July 2023.
Week of June 19th, 2023 Update
Photo 1: Bike ramp and trail connection at the intersection.
Photo 2: Completed intersection facing south on 77th Avenue SE.
Work at the intersection is nearly complete. Crews installed signage this week and continued electrical work. All remaining project work is expected to be finished in the next few weeks.
May 5th, 2023 Update
Asphalt paving work was completed this week to tie the new concrete intersection pavement into the surrounding streets. The intersection is now completely open to traffic in all directions, and all the sidewalks are open for use as well. The electrical subcontractor has installed most of the flashing beacon equipment for the crosswalks this week. Pavement markings will be installed in about two weeks.
May 1st, 2023 Update
Beginning Wednesday (5/3), paving operations will require the closure of northbound 77th Ave SE at Sunset Hwy from 7 am to 5 pm for 1-2 days pending weather. Roadway users should expect flagger control on all other legs of the intersection. Access to the Chevron gas station and adjacent businesses will remain open.
Week of April 24th 2023 Update
Photo: New Median Island
Last week, crews opened the final sections of new concrete pavement to traffic and installed the median island curbing and foundations. In the next two weeks, work is scheduled to complete asphalt paving on all four legs of the intersection. Drivers can expect short-term lane shifts and closures.
April 14, 2023 Update
Photo: Final concrete pour
This week, crews completed the remaining concrete pours for roadway panels, sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks in the Town Center intersection. These last concrete panels will cure over the weekend and are expected to be open to traffic by mid-week!
Later next week, crews plan to perform pavement grinding and asphalt paving work at the approaches to the intersection as well as the walkway approaches to the new sidewalk landings.
Temporary road closures will occur throughout the intersection while paving work is completed.
Week of March 27th Update
Photo: Newly installed sidewalk on the SW corner of the intersection
Over the next few weeks, crews will continue the installation of new concrete sidewalk, curb, gutter, and roadway panels on the west side. This project will improve pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular flow and safety by installing needed ADA ramps, a new pedestrian crossing signal system, and new pavement markings.
Week of March 13th Update:
Photo 1: 77th Sunset intersection joint sawing
photo 2: 77th Sunset concrete crosswalk
Construction crews have completed concrete sidewalks and roadway panels on the east side of the intersection. Since Tuesday, traffic on northbound 77th Ave SE has been reopened and work has now moved to the west half of the intersection. Over the next several weeks, crews will construct the remaining new concrete sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadway. Access to Sunset Hwy to the east will remain closed for the duration of the project to accommodate construction equipment and material storage. The west leg of Sunset Hwy will remain open with flagger control.
February 27th Update
Photo: Crosswalk on the south side of the intersection
Despite freezing temperatures and even some snowfall, contractor crews were able to complete a substantial amount of the new concrete crosswalks on the east side of the intersection. New concrete will remain covered into next week to protect it from freezing during its initial curing process.
Week of February 13th Update
Photo 1: Excavator preparing the site for sidewalk and asphalt path installation.
Photo: Conduit installation for the new Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) system.
Crews have completed underground utility work on the east side of the intersection and construction of new concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalks have begun. Over the next several weeks, the new concrete intersection panels will be poured. Assuming favorable weather conditions, the contractor estimates the east side of the intersection will reopen for traffic in mid-March. This reopening will allow two-way traffic to resume, with intermittent flagger control.
Week of January 30th Update
Photo 1: Newly installed 12” watermain connection.
Photo 2: Excavation of trench for new stormwater pipe and catch basin.
Photo 3: Newly installed stormwater catch basin.
This week, crews completed the installation of a watermain connection and stormwater pipes and catch basins. Over the next few weeks, crews will continue to work on the east side of the intersection to remove existing pavement to prepare for new concrete roadway and sidewalk.
Week of January 23rd 2023 Update
Photo 1: Project signage at the construction site.
Photo 2: Signage at the project site indicating the adjacent Chevron gas station remains open to the public.
Construction of the project began this week. Crews are completing site preparation and initial water main work.
January 2023 Update
Photo: Completed Intersection Concept
The project was awarded to Active Construction Inc. at the November 1st, 2022 City Council meeting, and work is scheduled to begin the week of January 23rd, 2023. Pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout the project’s construction. Beginning the week of January 23rd, drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians can expect an 8-week closure of the northbound lanes on 77th Ave SE through the intersection with a detour at SE 27th Street. Southbound traffic and access to Sunset Hwy west of the intersection will remain open. Flaggers will be on-site to guide vehicle and pedestrian traffic through the work zone. Our appreciation goes out to all the adjacent residents and businesses for their patience during construction season. The project is scheduled to be substantially completed by June 30, 2023.
October 2022 Update
Construction bids for this project were due on October 13. Staff received nine contractor bids, and two bids are below the $1.3M engineer’s estimate. The award of a construction contract is scheduled for the November 1st Council meeting. Construction is planned to occur in Q1 and Q2 of 2023.
July 2022 Update:
Construction bids were recently received following the completion of 100% design. Only two contractor bids were received, with a low bid of 23% over the engineering cost estimate. City Engineering Staff has decided to delay the project and rebid in Fall 2022 for construction in 2023 with the hopes of providing a wider construction window, avoiding current material delays facing the regional construction industry, and allowing for substantial completion of the adjacent Sound Transit project on North Mercer Way.
May 2022 Update
The project has reached 100% design and is expected to go to bid in June 2022. Construction will begin in late July/August 2022.
April 2022 Update
Photo: Draft Intersection Plans
The project has moved into 90% design and is expected to go to bid for construction in May/June 2022.
February 2022 Update
The project has reached 60% design and is currently under WSDOT review. The design features a raised interection with rapid flashing beacons on the north and south crosswalks.
22-32 Project Location (792 KB) Completed Intersection Concept (821 KB) 22-32 Construction Notification (559 KB) 22-32 Project Awareness Sign (812 KB)