Last week, Councilmember Lisa Herbold listed several infrastructure improvement projects in her city newsletter. We’ve summarized a few of the projects below:

SDOT will be dedicating $200,000 of existing funds to advance design for a roundabout in the Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St. intersection. Herbold was instrumental in on working with Mayor Ed Murray to locate funding for the project. The roundabout will work to improve safety and alleviate congestion by improving traffic flow.

The community has long advocated for a solution for pedestrian and motorist safety at the intersection. During 2016’s Neighborhood Street Fund process, the community proposed a traffic roundabout, as they had in 2013, and SDOT did a conceptual design, according to the newsletter. However, even though it was the highest-rated project of the Delridge District Council, it wasn’t selected in the final city approvals, in part due to cost.

Herbold also wrote that she’s been communicating with the City Budget Office to advance funds to accelerate landslide hazard work on certain arterial streets. In 2000, SDOT performed a risk assessment for slope hazards for landslides on arterial streets in Seattle, she wrote, and rated 24 locations as high priority but only seven had proactive mitigation work done. The majority of the approximately $500,000 allocated annually since then has been used for reactive work in other locations.

The council member also said in the newsletter that she’s trying to secure funding this year for Highland Park Way. SDOT has been periodically monitoring the site and has asked for additional funding in the 2018 budget to install a rock buttress and ecology block wall in the right-of-way. Overall, SDOT is requesting $60,000, which lumps in other landslide mitigation requests.

Other projects:

The Parks Department will rebuild a new restroom at Riverview Playfield this summer. The current facility was damaged in an arson. The telephone poles adjacent to the park — which prevent cars from driving on the fields — will also be replaced.

A new traffic circle at 12th and Kenyon is currently in design, made possible by a 2016 Neighborhood Park and Street fund. Later in the year, a raised crosswalk will be added at SW Myrtle St. A curb bulb and flashing beacons will also be installed at Kenyon St.

Additionally, crossing improvements at SW Henderson and 11th SW near Highland Park Elementary are being analyzed. The project is under consideration through the Neighborhood Street Fund “Your Voice Your Choice”. SDOT is also looking at installing a flashing beacon at SW Webster St.