State Ave and East Bay Drive Safety Improvements

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We are changing State Avenue between Pear and Chestnut Streets. We have identified this as an area of concern in our Street Safety Plan. There have been several collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians in this area. From 2014 to 2018, State and East Bay/Plum was the intersection with the highest number of bicycle and pedestrian collisions. This project will make improvements to better protect bicyclists and pedestrians. We will be removing a left turn lane from State Avenue onto Plum Street to make room for these changes. This could result in an increase in traffic congestion at this intersection. During the peak travel time from 4 to 6 p.m., there may be approximately 5 more vehicles in each lane behind a red light. In making these improvements, we are prioritizing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians and accepting an increase in congestion. Construction information Construction started in Fall 2022, and it is expected to be finished in Summer 2023. Sign up for Construction & Traffic Alerts to get email updates. During construction, you can expect: Lane closures and flaggers directing traffic. Driveway closures. Large machinery and truck activity. Impacts to parking access near the worksite. Detours for people walking and biking due to the closure of crosswalks, sidewalks, or bike lanes. Periodic night work which may require street closure. Temporary relocation of transit stops in the construction area. Planned changes These graphics are a conceptual representation of the planned changes. State Avenue and East Bay Drive/Plum Street Raised pedestrian islands: Raised concrete islands that separate cars from bicycles. They also shorten the distance pedestrians need to cross the street. Green bike crossing: Markings raise driver and bicyclist awareness of a potential conflict area. Curb ramps: All curb ramps will meet current standards. Green bike lane: Highlights the zone dedicated to bicyclists and raises awareness of a potential conflict area. Lane reduction: Removing the dedicated left turn lane makes room for the protected bike lane and pedestrian island. State Avenue and Chestnut Street Green bike crossing: Markings raise driver and bicyclist awareness of a potential conflict area. Green bike lane: Highlights the zone dedicated to bicyclists and raises awareness of a potential conflict area. Bus platform: Raised concrete area that allows buses to stay in the lane while boarding passengers. Raised separated bike lane: Raised concrete area that separates bicycles from traffic. Project benefits Makes it safer for people riding their bike or walking through this busy area. Shortens the distance needed for pedestrians crossing the street, which reduces the time they are exposed to oncoming traffic. Raises awareness and visibility of conflicts between drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Improves mobility for people who have a wider range of abilities, such as people using a wheelchair. In-lane passenger boarding helps Intercity Transit buses stay on schedule. Improves operation of the traffic signal. Project costs The estimated cost is $1,446,785. We received a $1,061,885 grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation for the construction of the project.

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