80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements

Share 80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements on Facebook Share 80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements on Twitter Share 80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements on Linkedin Email 80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements link
Sidewalk


The City is undertaking a sidewalk improvement project in Town Center, focusing on replacing sidewalks, trees, and lighting along the east side of 80th Avenue SE.

Project Overview

Many of the roadways, sidewalks, lighting, curbs, and trees in Town Center, including most of 80th Avenue, were developed fifty to sixty years ago. Despite a number of street improvement projects in Town Center since then, the east side of 80th Avenue has not been significantly improved since the 1980s. As a result, the sidewalks along 80th Avenue are in poor condition, with many areas having damage due to large root masses from street trees which have caused sidewalk heaving, sinking, and uneven walking surfaces.

In addition to the poor condition of the walking surfaces along 80th Avenue, lighting is inadequate and non-uniform. The lighting system is a combination of the original 1970s wiring and wood poles interlaced with concrete poles used to replace failing wood poles. The 80th Avenue Improvement Project aims to create uniform lighting, ADA-compliant* sidewalks, and an improved walking experience.

Project Details

The 80th Avenue Improvement Project involves three main elements: sidewalk replacements, street tree replacements, and updated street lighting.

Sidewalks

The sidewalks along the east side of 80th Avenue from SE 27th to SE 32nd Streets will be replaced. Most of the new sidewalks will be 5-feet wide. ADA compliant curb ramps will be installed at street intersection corners. A small segment of sidewalk along the west side of 78th Avenue in the 3000 block where sidewalks have either heaved or sunken due to street trees has also been incorporated into the 80th Avenue Improvements Project.

Street Trees

Of the nearly 50 trees within and along the 80th Avenue sidewalk and the small 78th Avenue location, over half of them will need to be removed and replaced. The reasons for removal vary. Some trees have large root masses that cannot be built around, some have poor location within the sidewalk, others have health or structural concerns. Most of the trees affected by this project were assessed by an independent arborist in 2023, and that report documented approximately 20 trees with health or structural deficiencies.

Due to the different street and sidewalk cross-sections involved in this project, staff have developed several solutions for the street trees. Some trees will be retained, and the sidewalk relocated or the grade raised to go over the existing roots. In some areas where new trees will replace removed ones, planting cells will be constructed underneath the new sidewalk areas, which will give the new trees ample space for root mass development. Other trees will be replanted within a landscape median between the curb and sidewalk. Staff are in the process of determining which trees will receive which form of tree planting treatment.

Lighting

The outdated and inadequate street lighting system on both sides of 80th Avenue will be replaced with the installation of a new control cabinet, conduits, wiring, concrete poles, and LED light fixtures. Crews will utilize conduits on the west side of 80th Avenue installed in the 1990’s and retain and reuse most of the existing concrete poles.

Get Involved

The City wants to hear from you. Share your feedback and ask questions here on the 80th Avenue Improvements project page. Updates will be provided as the project heads to construction in late 2024.

*ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act


The City is undertaking a sidewalk improvement project in Town Center, focusing on replacing sidewalks, trees, and lighting along the east side of 80th Avenue SE.

Project Overview

Many of the roadways, sidewalks, lighting, curbs, and trees in Town Center, including most of 80th Avenue, were developed fifty to sixty years ago. Despite a number of street improvement projects in Town Center since then, the east side of 80th Avenue has not been significantly improved since the 1980s. As a result, the sidewalks along 80th Avenue are in poor condition, with many areas having damage due to large root masses from street trees which have caused sidewalk heaving, sinking, and uneven walking surfaces.

In addition to the poor condition of the walking surfaces along 80th Avenue, lighting is inadequate and non-uniform. The lighting system is a combination of the original 1970s wiring and wood poles interlaced with concrete poles used to replace failing wood poles. The 80th Avenue Improvement Project aims to create uniform lighting, ADA-compliant* sidewalks, and an improved walking experience.

Project Details

The 80th Avenue Improvement Project involves three main elements: sidewalk replacements, street tree replacements, and updated street lighting.

Sidewalks

The sidewalks along the east side of 80th Avenue from SE 27th to SE 32nd Streets will be replaced. Most of the new sidewalks will be 5-feet wide. ADA compliant curb ramps will be installed at street intersection corners. A small segment of sidewalk along the west side of 78th Avenue in the 3000 block where sidewalks have either heaved or sunken due to street trees has also been incorporated into the 80th Avenue Improvements Project.

Street Trees

Of the nearly 50 trees within and along the 80th Avenue sidewalk and the small 78th Avenue location, over half of them will need to be removed and replaced. The reasons for removal vary. Some trees have large root masses that cannot be built around, some have poor location within the sidewalk, others have health or structural concerns. Most of the trees affected by this project were assessed by an independent arborist in 2023, and that report documented approximately 20 trees with health or structural deficiencies.

Due to the different street and sidewalk cross-sections involved in this project, staff have developed several solutions for the street trees. Some trees will be retained, and the sidewalk relocated or the grade raised to go over the existing roots. In some areas where new trees will replace removed ones, planting cells will be constructed underneath the new sidewalk areas, which will give the new trees ample space for root mass development. Other trees will be replanted within a landscape median between the curb and sidewalk. Staff are in the process of determining which trees will receive which form of tree planting treatment.

Lighting

The outdated and inadequate street lighting system on both sides of 80th Avenue will be replaced with the installation of a new control cabinet, conduits, wiring, concrete poles, and LED light fixtures. Crews will utilize conduits on the west side of 80th Avenue installed in the 1990’s and retain and reuse most of the existing concrete poles.

Get Involved

The City wants to hear from you. Share your feedback and ask questions here on the 80th Avenue Improvements project page. Updates will be provided as the project heads to construction in late 2024.

*ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act

Ask a Question

Do you have a question related to the 80th Ave Sidewalk Improvement Project? Please submit your question here and staff will provide a response.

loader image
Forgot password?
Didn't receive confirmation?
Register Now
Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
  • Share What will be done to enhance safety at the 4 way stop at SE 27th and 80th SE? Literally every day someone drives through the stop sign, either because they can’t see the sign, not paying attention, are going too fast, or just don’t care. There have been accidents at the intersection, and the fear is that a pedestrian will be struck. Please do something. Thank you. on Facebook Share What will be done to enhance safety at the 4 way stop at SE 27th and 80th SE? Literally every day someone drives through the stop sign, either because they can’t see the sign, not paying attention, are going too fast, or just don’t care. There have been accidents at the intersection, and the fear is that a pedestrian will be struck. Please do something. Thank you. on Twitter Share What will be done to enhance safety at the 4 way stop at SE 27th and 80th SE? Literally every day someone drives through the stop sign, either because they can’t see the sign, not paying attention, are going too fast, or just don’t care. There have been accidents at the intersection, and the fear is that a pedestrian will be struck. Please do something. Thank you. on Linkedin Email What will be done to enhance safety at the 4 way stop at SE 27th and 80th SE? Literally every day someone drives through the stop sign, either because they can’t see the sign, not paying attention, are going too fast, or just don’t care. There have been accidents at the intersection, and the fear is that a pedestrian will be struck. Please do something. Thank you. link

    What will be done to enhance safety at the 4 way stop at SE 27th and 80th SE? Literally every day someone drives through the stop sign, either because they can’t see the sign, not paying attention, are going too fast, or just don’t care. There have been accidents at the intersection, and the fear is that a pedestrian will be struck. Please do something. Thank you.

    K asked 29 days ago

    Sound Transit and their contractor Titan Earthwork are currently working on a project to install new curb, gutter, sidewalk, ADA ramps and traffic signal poles at the intersection of SE 27th Street and 80th Avenue SE. The existing four way stop we be a new signalized intersection. More information about the project can be found here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASOUND/bulletins/3adaa51

  • Share Hi! The previous lights on the sidewalk create a lot of light pollution at night for the condominiums on the street. It is difficult to prevent it even with black out curtains (light comes through the windowsill edges). We do understand that the street should be illuminated for safety and other reasons. However, could the project incorporate timers on the lights for late night? Or please add shielding on the back of lights? We are open to mitigation methods for this issue. on Facebook Share Hi! The previous lights on the sidewalk create a lot of light pollution at night for the condominiums on the street. It is difficult to prevent it even with black out curtains (light comes through the windowsill edges). We do understand that the street should be illuminated for safety and other reasons. However, could the project incorporate timers on the lights for late night? Or please add shielding on the back of lights? We are open to mitigation methods for this issue. on Twitter Share Hi! The previous lights on the sidewalk create a lot of light pollution at night for the condominiums on the street. It is difficult to prevent it even with black out curtains (light comes through the windowsill edges). We do understand that the street should be illuminated for safety and other reasons. However, could the project incorporate timers on the lights for late night? Or please add shielding on the back of lights? We are open to mitigation methods for this issue. on Linkedin Email Hi! The previous lights on the sidewalk create a lot of light pollution at night for the condominiums on the street. It is difficult to prevent it even with black out curtains (light comes through the windowsill edges). We do understand that the street should be illuminated for safety and other reasons. However, could the project incorporate timers on the lights for late night? Or please add shielding on the back of lights? We are open to mitigation methods for this issue. link

    Hi! The previous lights on the sidewalk create a lot of light pollution at night for the condominiums on the street. It is difficult to prevent it even with black out curtains (light comes through the windowsill edges). We do understand that the street should be illuminated for safety and other reasons. However, could the project incorporate timers on the lights for late night? Or please add shielding on the back of lights? We are open to mitigation methods for this issue.

    Nel asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question. The lights within the project limits will be replaced with new LED lights. These new lights will be directed toward the sidewalk and street area and should have less spillover. Also shielding will be installed behind the lights near residential structures.

  • Share Are there any plans to do something similar on 72nd Ave SE, south of 24th Ave? There is a "sidewalk" but it's not clearly delineated and often blocked by cars. on Facebook Share Are there any plans to do something similar on 72nd Ave SE, south of 24th Ave? There is a "sidewalk" but it's not clearly delineated and often blocked by cars. on Twitter Share Are there any plans to do something similar on 72nd Ave SE, south of 24th Ave? There is a "sidewalk" but it's not clearly delineated and often blocked by cars. on Linkedin Email Are there any plans to do something similar on 72nd Ave SE, south of 24th Ave? There is a "sidewalk" but it's not clearly delineated and often blocked by cars. link

    Are there any plans to do something similar on 72nd Ave SE, south of 24th Ave? There is a "sidewalk" but it's not clearly delineated and often blocked by cars.

    Todd asked 4 months ago

    The city currently does not have plans to do something similar along 72nd Avenue SE. The purpose of the 80th Avenue SE Pedestrian Improvements project is to replace sidewalks that have been damaged over the years by tree roots. The paved path along 72nd Avenue SE does not have the same problem.

Page last updated: 24 Oct 2024, 12:44 AM