By: Nick Menzel
Your input helped shape this project
In late summer and early fall 2025, we asked for your input, and you answered. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the State Route 900/57th Avenue South to 135th Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements project. Now, we’d love to show you how we put that feedback to use.
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| Project Vicinity Map |
Community engagement and feedback
Our online engagement included an open house and a survey that was open for 29 days, from Aug. 12 to Sept. 9, 2025. During that time, our project page welcomed 377 visitors. We received 50 survey responses. We mailed more than 3,700 postcards to residents and businesses within a half mile of the project area. The survey was available in eight languages: Amharic, Chinese (Traditional), English, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.
We wanted to reach the whole community, so we also brought the conversation into the neighborhood. We attended meetings with the West Hill Community Association and Skyway Coalition. We also connected with apartment complexes to help share information. And we invited people to join the conversation at community events.
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| WSDOT staffing a table at the West Hill Community Association Trunk-or-Treat event. |
What we heard and how it informs the project
We heard from people who know SR 900 well. They shared their thoughts about how much they use the corridor. They also shared safety concerns and ideas for improvements. Below are some of the main themes:
- Frequent corridor users:
- Most respondents travel along SR 900 between 57th Avenue South and South 135th Street daily or many times per day
- Travel modes include driving, transit, walking, biking, and mobility devices
- Driving is most common; transit is second, followed by walking and biking
- Top concerns:
- Fast-moving traffic (primary concern)
- Missing sidewalks
- Insufficient crosswalks
- Limited lighting
- Lack of bike facilities
- Most requested improvements:
- Slower vehicle speeds (top priority)
- More medians/traffic separators
- Improved lighting
- More benches and amenities
- Safer, more frequent crossings
- Wider sidewalks for comfort and accessibility
- Preliminary alternatives feedback: Participants noted that they preferred Alternative 1, of the options presented.
How community feedback informed the project
Feedback on needs, priorities and preferences guided the project team. Based on your feedback, we selected Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative for SR 900. The project design will use this option to improve safety, accessibility and comfort.
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| Alternative 1 showing narrower lanes and no lane reduction. The westbound shoulder has been removed. |
What’s next?
The project team is moving into the next phase of work. We'll work on design and right-of-way acquisition for Phase A. We'll also complete a construction cost estimate. Construction of Phase A is not funded, so we’ll seek funding once that work is complete.
An environmental justice assessment is also an important part of this project and will begin soon. Throughout this next phase, we’ll continue to engage with the community. We'll also stay in close communication with our agency partners. We’re moving ahead thoughtfully and collaboratively.
Learn more and stay informed
We are committed to transparency throughout this process, and your feedback and voice make a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community driven.
Project webpage
- Visit the project page for the latest updates and detailed information. You can also find recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.
- Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates.
Contact Info
Amber Stanley - Community Engagement Lead
Phone: 206-817-8833
Email: amber.stanley@wsdot.wa.gov
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