24th AVENUE SOUTH IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (Segment 2) VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Open House Presentation
24th Avenue South Improvements Project (Segment 2)
Background
In November 2011, the City produced the City of Des Moines Safe Routes to School Project Report. This report provided a summary of priority Safe Routes to School projects for the five public elementary schools in the City. The report was developed with help from the Des Moines Police Department and Highline Schoold District. Projects were selected in order to enhance safety for students and families walking to school. The report found that pedestrian improvements on 24th Ave ranked as the top priority for Midway Elementary School and had the highest ranking of all projects Citywide.
Roadway widening and improvement of 24th Ave S, Kent-Des Moines Rd (SR516) to S 223rd St is an element of the adopted City of Des Moines Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This project is Segment 2 of the 24th Ave S Corridor Improvements, with future Segment 1 improvements designated between S 223rd St and S 216th St.
The 24th Ave S Improvements Project (Segment 2) will construct improvements on 24th Ave S, between Kent-Des Moines Road and S 223rd Street. These improvements include: sidewalks, bike lanes, reduced travel lane widths, a two-way left turn lane, storm drainage, and decorative street lighting.
In 2019, the City of Des Moines was selected for a grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (hereinafter TIB) for project funding on the 24th Avenue South Improvements Project. This partnership with TIB allowed the City to fully fund the project and advance into preliminary design, right-of-way acquisition, and ultimately construction.
Strategic Needs
The 24th Ave S corridor is a critical north-south arterial roadway between Kent Des Moines Road and S 216th St providing continued access to the Sound Transit light rail station at S 200th St and to SeaTac Airport at S 188th St. Two public schools, multiple churches, Des Moines Creek Business Park, and FAA facilities are all accessed from 24th Ave S. Upon recent completion of the Connecting 28th//24th Ave S project in SeaTac, traffic volumes have increased more than 30% within the project limits as traffic patterns have shifted from SR99 and SR516/SR509. Residential single family land use comprises much of the project and the existing lack of sidewalks, narrow shoulders, and deep roadside ditches combined with increased traffic volumes contribute to an unwelcoming environment for non-motorized users. The motorized and non-motorized demand is expected to significantly increase over the next 20 years. The time for action is now to improve the safety and mobility of this corridor especially for non-motorized users.
Proposed Improvements
The 24th Ave S Improvements Project (Segment 2) will construct improvements on 24th Ave S, between Kent-Des Moines Road and S 223rd Street. These improvements include: sidewalks, bike lanes, reduced travel lane widths, a two-way left turn lane, storm drainage, and decorative street lighting.
Exhibit 1 - Future 24th Ave S Cross Section
Specifically, the project seeks to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety by:
- Upgrading existing curb ramps to meet the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibly requirements
- Constructing sidewalks meeting ADA requirements on both sides of the roadway
- Constructing enhanced pedestrian crossings near Midway Elementary school and Pacific Middle School
- Reduced travel lane width for traffic calming
Improved street lighting
Exhibit 2 - Rendering of Future Improvements on 24th Ave at 226th St
Public Outreach
The City conducted a virtual project open house in December 2021, the presentation can be found via video link on this project page. City staff are available to provide additional information or respond to questions concerning the project. For additional information please contact the City’s Project Manager, Khai Le, at [email protected].
Anticipated Schedule
Preliminary Engineering Design – Complete
Right-of-Way Acquisitions – Complete
Final Engineering Design - Complete
Project Construction – September 2023 to Fall 2024
Next Steps
The final project design and right-of-way acquisitions has been completed. The project has been advertised for bids and a construction contract awarded to SCI Infrastructure. The anticipated start date for construction activities is September 2023. The project is expected to be completed in fall of 2024.
For additional information please contact:
Khai Le at: [email protected] or 206-870-6537