Beacon Hill Healthy Street
Updated December 1, 2023
What's Happening Now?
As previously announced, we will start construction on safety enhancements planned for 18th Ave S and S College St as part of the Beacon Hill Healthy Street. Construction was originally scheduled to begin last month but has been postponed due to crew availability and other scheduled work. We expect construction to start in 2024.
To explore the designs for 18th and College, as well as the improvements planned for Beacon Ave S and S Hanford St, see the “Project Design Elements” section below. This winter, we will resume our evaluation and outreach for the South Beacon Hill Healthy Street.
Upgraded Temporary Sign Bases
We will also be upgrading the temporary sign bases at key intersections along this South segment to more durable concrete cylinders. The existing temporary signage has not been durable enough to withstand winter traffic conditions and as a result, our crews were overwhelmed last year with numerous daily requests to repair and replace signage all over the city. These temporary sign bases will be replaced with permanent planter boxes and concrete sign bases if this segment will be made permanent.
Example an upgraded temporary sign bases from the Central District Healthy Street.
Project Map
Design Elements
The pedestrian and bike infrastructure updates coming to 18th Ave S and S College St at the beginning of 2024 will include:
- New crossing lights, also known as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB)
- New curbside push buttons for crossings
- New raised curb
- Marked crosswalks
- ADA standard curb ramps
- Drainage and stormwater improvements (in coordination with Seattle Public Utilities)
Beacon Ave S and S Hanford S: Here are the pedestrian and bike infrastructure updates you will see on this intersection. We are currently working to start this in the near term and will provide more updates on the construction start time.
- Marked crosswalks
- New Curbside push buttons for crossings
- ADA Ramps
- New concrete curb bulbs with Healthy Street signage
As part of the Beacon Hill Ave S and 15th Ave S Safety project, the intersection will also include:
- New floating bus stops on the east and west side of Beacon Ave S.
- Remove median islands and install c-curbs for the new protect bike lanes.
Permanent Treatment options
Program Overview
What are Healthy Streets?
Healthy Streets are closed to pass through traffic, but open to people walking, rolling, biking, and playing. The goal of this program is to open up more space for people rather than cars—improving community and individual health.
Healthy Streets can include:
- Traffic safety features like easier crossings at busy streets, speed humps to slow down drivers, and sign and pavement markings to help people find their way
- Neighborhood activities like hopscotch and basketball (that you would otherwise need to get a street closure permit for)
- Intersections with traffic circles and street murals to discourage people from driving on Healthy Streets unless they have to
What does this mean for drivers?
- People driving who need to get to homes and destinations along Healthy Streets are still able to drive on these streets; drivers should use extra caution and yield to people
- People enjoying the street should be mindful of drivers trying to get to homes and destinations as well
Schedule
Summer 2021: Community site walk and online survey to hear from people who live on or near Healthy Streets
Spring 2022: Additional community outreach for intersection elements
Fall 2022: Announcement that the north section the Beacon Hill Healthy Street will become permanent. The south section will need more review
Spring 2023: As early as Spring 2023, installation of new permanent Healthy Street signs on the north section of the Beacon Hill Healthy Street
Spring- Summer 2023: Additional community outreach for the south section of the Beacon Hill Healthy Street, from S Dakota St to S Lucile St