Construction on State Ave-East Bay Drive slated this summer

The City of Olympia will use a grant awarded by the Washington State Department of Transportation to make State Avenue and East Bay Drive/Plum Street crossing safer for pedestrians starting this summer.

Identified as an area of concern in the City’s Street Safety Plan, the intersection has been the site of several accidents, with most collisions between 2014 to 2018 involving bicyclists and pedestrians in the city happening on it, according to the city’s website.

Using the $714,200 grant money to add to the $1,162,160 project, the city plans to remove a left turn from State Avenue to Plum Street to accommodate changes such as:

• 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.

Meanwhile, the State Avenue-Chestnut Street section will have a following features:

• 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.

According to the City, introducing these changes to the crossing will have the following effects:

• 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.

During construction, the community can expect the following:

• Lane closures and flaggers directing traffic.
• Driveway closures.
• Large machinery and truck activity.
• Impacts on 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

Construction is expected to be finished by September this year.

More information is available on the project’s webpage. Queries can be directed to Project Manager Randy Wesselman.