Judkins Park and I-90: Based on analysis, the recommended alternative is Alternative 2!

By: April Delchamps

What a game! The Seahawks are the Super Bowl Champions!

Congratulations to the Seahawks!

We also have another milestone. The I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities Study team has a recommendation for the Interstate 90 ramps at Rainier Avenue South. After months of coordination, traffic modeling and analysis, we are recommending Alternative 2.

Map of Judkins Park area with the on-ramp and off-ramps.  

Alternative 2: the recommended alternative

Alternative 2 removes the westbound I-90 to northbound Rainier off-ramp (Ramp 4) and reroutes traffic to Ramp 5. (This option used to be called Concept 2 from the 2019 SDOT study.)

Here’s what could change with Alternative 2:

• Removes one of the I-90 ramps, Ramp #4 (westbound to northbound off-ramp). This traffic will be moved to Ramp #5.
• Adds a pedestrian signal crossing Rainier Avenue South, just north of I-90.
• Reduces Rainier Avenue South from six lanes to four lanes under I-90 (one vehicle lane and one dedicated bus lane in each direction). This will allow more space for bikes and pedestrians under I-90. Note: Any changes to Rainier Avenue South under I-90 will be developed in consultation with the Seattle Department of Transportation, community and agency partners. That includes any changes to the number and type of lanes and the bike and pedestrian facilities. These changes can only happen if there is more funding to design and construct the improvements identified in this study.
• Improves the separation between vehicle and non-vehicle traffic.
• "Tees up" Ramp #2 (northbound to eastbound on-ramp).
• "Tees up" Ramps #3 (southbound to eastbound on-ramp) and Ramp #5 (westbound to southbound off-ramp) at one controlled intersection (traffic signal or roundabout) near Bush Place. 

"Tee-ing up" a ramp

Tee-ing up a ramp means creating T-shaped intersections with traffic signals or roundabouts. Vehicles must slow down and stop, creating controlled crossings for pedestrians and bikes to cross the ramp

Alternative 2 is the best value

We evaluated the performance of all four alternatives on the seven criteria.

• Learn about the other alternatives in our December blog post.
• Learn about the seven criteria in our January blog post.

Alternative 2 is the winner with the best performance at a relatively low cost. It’s the top performing choice in these criteria:

• Improvement to access for people walking, biking and using transit
• Reducing people’s exposure to vehicles
• Slowing down vehicles using the on- and off-ramps
• Improving the spacings of crosswalks on Rainier Avenue South
• Minimizing queuing on I-90 off ramps

It scores second best on:

• adding parks and green space in the area
• reducing impacts to transit speed and reliability

Overall, Alternative 2 scored the best across all seven criteria when we added them all up. That means improved conditions for people who walk, roll and bike, while reducing vehicle speeds. This alternative also:

• enhances safety
• provides more space for people to move through the area
• improves access to the new light rail station
• supports transit

If you live, visit, shop, work or own a business

Everyone can walk, roll, bike, take the bus or drive to access home, work, services, destinations and more. Things like better transit access, sidewalks and bike lanes mean that everyone has more options to travel.

• Walk, roll, or bike: More dedicated space. Better connections to light rail. Bike facilities. Improved sidewalks and crossings.
• Take the bus: Dedicated bus lanes mean more reliable arrival times and better connections to light rail.
• Drive: Two lanes (one lane in each direction). Access to residences, local businesses and services is maintained. Expect some traffic congestion during rush hour.

What happens next

Just as the Seahawks prepare for next season, our project team is developing the game plan for Alternative 2. This spring and summer, we'll work with SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Federal Highway Administration and other partners to verify and refine the details of Alternative 2. After that, we'll:

• Finalize and document the study recommendation
• Develop a report
• Start our preliminary design along with the Advisory Group, community and agency partners

Our I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities is only funded through preliminary design. More funding is needed to finish design and construction.

This is a team effort

The Seahawks rely on players, coaches and the 12s all working together. Alternative 2 represents collaboration between the WSDOT, Judkins Park community and other agencies. It also includes everyone who has helped by engaging in the Study. We’ll spend the next few months engaging with agency partners, submitting documentation and advancing the alternative design. We’re excited to engage the community and the advisory group on the preliminary design later this year. Thank you for being part of this process. And go Hawks!

Go Hawks!

Study webpage: I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities

Email updates: Sign up for Seattle area news and study updates.

Contact:

Amber Stanley - Community Engagement Lead
Phone: 206-817-8833
Email: amber.stanley@wsdot.wa.gov