Project Overview

Island Crest Way (ICW) serves an important north-south corridor through Mercer Island, providing vital connections to schools, parks, residential neighborhoods, places of worship, and commercial centers, as well as access to I-90.

In 2022, the City conducted a corridor safety analysis. This extensive study included community input which helped the City identify recommendations and solutions to address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety concerns. The findings resulted in the Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements Project to enhance safety along Island Crest Way from 90th Avenue SE to SE 68th Street.

The City is now embarking on the second stage of the project where we begin the design and implementation of some of the recommendations made in the previous stage. To cover a wide range of factors and goals, this project has been broken up into several components.

Project Components

• ICW Shared Use Path Improvement Project: Assess feasibility and begin preliminary design on a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. This proposed path will complete the missing section of the bicycle route along Island Crest Way between 90th Ave SE and SE 63rd St. The ICW Shared Use Path Improvement Project is the City’s current focus and will include public outreach and input from the community.

Other project components include:

• Tree Condition Assessment: Every tree along the corridor is being assessed by certified arborists to document growth conditions and ensure the preservation of healthy trees and root systems.
• Illumination Study: A corridor-wide lighting assessment to explore adequate lighting solutions and design recommendations for all roadway users.
• Crosswalk Improvements: Design of enhanced pedestrian crossings at three locations to be constructed in 2024, including Island Park Elementary School Crosswalk, SE 62nd Street & SE 63rd Street.
• Feasibility Study & Concept Design: Evaluate the feasibility of two intersection modifications: a roundabout or other improvement at the intersection of SE 68th Street and Island Crest Way and a westbound right turn lane at the intersection of SE 53rd Place and Island Crest Way.

Project Goals

1. Improve safety along the Island Crest Way corridor by designing more dedicated marked crossings and enhanced lighting throughout the corridor.
2. Develop a multi-modal corridor that provides safe and efficient movement for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
3. Provide essential connections to existing trail systems along the corridor and safe crossings to these trails.
4. Encourage community members to help the City clearly identify the existing issues and explore opportunities to meet project goals.
5. Improve access to transit along the corridor.
6. Preserve the urban forest and the existing tree canopy while balancing safety and available right-of-way space to achieve project goals.

Get Involved

The online open house has been postponed to provide a project update and preliminary draft of shared use path alternatives to the City Council for feedback and a decision on their preferred alternative. The City Council's direction will inform the next steps of the design and public engagement process. City Council agenda bills regarding this project will be linked to Let's Talk the Thursday before the City Council meeting.