Construction to enhance Front Street starts May 31, 2016, and will wrap up before Salmon Days!
While we will do our best to work with residents, businesses, drivers and pedestrians, there will be some disruptions. Please note, businesses will remain open during construction.
Immediate Impacts
The most immediate impact (from Sunset Way to Northwest Dogwood Street) will include:
- Day work from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31-June 3 as the contractor sets up for the project, surveys, performs utility work, and saw-cuts existing concrete. Future day work will be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
- Night work from 10 p.m.-10 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays starting June 6. Roadway closures will be allowed between 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
- On-street parking will be restricted for the duration of the project.
- The contractor must provide pedestrian access to adjacent homes and business.
- The contractor will use the gravel shoulder on Southeast Bush Street, between Front Street and First Avenue Southeast, to stage and store equipment. On-street parking will be restricted.
Future Impacts
We'll keep you updated on the details of future construction impacts throughout the summer. This will include:
- Four full weekend closures of Front Street will be allowed. These dates have not been scheduled yet.
- No lane closures will be allowed on a holiday or holiday weekend.
- No work will be allowed onsite during special events, such as Wine Walk, Fenders on Front Street and the Fourth of July.
Project Benefits
The enhancements to Front Street will include:
- Widening sidewalks.
- Installing new flashing pedestrian crossing lights.
- Fixing stormwater ponding issues.
- Replacing water service connections.
- Improving pedestrian street lighting.
- Installing future Wi-Fi conduit.
- Upgrading the railroad crossing at Northwest Dogwood Street with new tracks and sidewalks to make it ADA-compliant and better for bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Paving Front Street North from Sunset Way to the bridge across the East Fork of Issaquah Creek. Crews will work with residents and businesses to minimize impacts to driveways.
Trees/Landscaping
As part of the project, seven trees, which are at the end of their lifespan, will be removed. This certain type of tree is also damaging sidewalks and causing drainage issues. In some places, the tree removal also allows for the installation of ADA ramps, as well as new siting and alignment for the sidewalk and storm drains.
The trees will be temporarily replaced with large, 3-inch diameter pots filled with plants. In 2015, the Olde Town Vitality Task Force recommended developing a streetscape plan for our downtown. The community will influence the new streetscape plan (with outreach beginning this fall) and determine what types of trees or landscaping will replace the removed trees.
Stay Informed
Join us for an open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 25 in the Eagle Room at City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way, to learn more about the City's Olde Town projects.
For more information and to sign up for future notifications, go to issaquahwa.gov/frontstreet.