Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements

Share Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements on Facebook Share Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements on Twitter Share Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements on Linkedin Email Island Crest Way Corridor Improvements link

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, 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 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 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 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, bikers and vehicles.
  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 shared use path alternatives to the City Council for initial feedback and direction in the first quarter of 2024. The City Council's direction will inform the next steps of the design and public engagement process. The City Council agenda bill (AB) with preliminary draft shared use path design alternatives will be linked to Let's Talk the Thursday prior to the meeting.

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, 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 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 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 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, bikers and vehicles.
  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 shared use path alternatives to the City Council for initial feedback and direction in the first quarter of 2024. The City Council's direction will inform the next steps of the design and public engagement process. The City Council agenda bill (AB) with preliminary draft shared use path design alternatives will be linked to Let's Talk the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Ask a Question

Do you have a question related to the Island Crest Way Corridor Safety Analysis? 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 is the actual safety question for the right turn at 53rd and island crest? I commonly turned left Northward from 88th Ave., Southeast onto Island crest Way. When driving and walking I commonly see people going to fast around that corner if the concern at 53rd and island crest Way is traffic approaching from the northbound lane, does it really need a right turn lane? Good better speed control accomplish the same task at less cost and disruption of traffic during the construction phase? And less cost? on Facebook Share What is the actual safety question for the right turn at 53rd and island crest? I commonly turned left Northward from 88th Ave., Southeast onto Island crest Way. When driving and walking I commonly see people going to fast around that corner if the concern at 53rd and island crest Way is traffic approaching from the northbound lane, does it really need a right turn lane? Good better speed control accomplish the same task at less cost and disruption of traffic during the construction phase? And less cost? on Twitter Share What is the actual safety question for the right turn at 53rd and island crest? I commonly turned left Northward from 88th Ave., Southeast onto Island crest Way. When driving and walking I commonly see people going to fast around that corner if the concern at 53rd and island crest Way is traffic approaching from the northbound lane, does it really need a right turn lane? Good better speed control accomplish the same task at less cost and disruption of traffic during the construction phase? And less cost? on Linkedin Email What is the actual safety question for the right turn at 53rd and island crest? I commonly turned left Northward from 88th Ave., Southeast onto Island crest Way. When driving and walking I commonly see people going to fast around that corner if the concern at 53rd and island crest Way is traffic approaching from the northbound lane, does it really need a right turn lane? Good better speed control accomplish the same task at less cost and disruption of traffic during the construction phase? And less cost? link

    What is the actual safety question for the right turn at 53rd and island crest? I commonly turned left Northward from 88th Ave., Southeast onto Island crest Way. When driving and walking I commonly see people going to fast around that corner if the concern at 53rd and island crest Way is traffic approaching from the northbound lane, does it really need a right turn lane? Good better speed control accomplish the same task at less cost and disruption of traffic during the construction phase? And less cost?

    John Rieke asked about 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question. There are long delays for westbound vehicles on SE 53rd Pl. approaching Island Crest Way during the morning and afternoon peak travel times. The congestion on Island Crest Way leaves limited gaps in traffic for vehicles to enter from SE 53rd Pl. 

    The delay on SE 53rd Pl. is caused in part from there being only one lane approaching Island Crest way for vehicles whether traveling straight or turning left/right.

    The majority of vehicles turn right at this intersection which means that left turning vehicles increase delays for right turning vehicles behind them. This can create frustration and potential for drivers to rush, as you mentioned, to make turns into small gaps in traffic without paying attention to pedestrians. 

    The proposed intersection improvement will add a westbound to northbound right turn lane on SE 53rd Pl. to give right turning vehicles a dedicated lane as shown in the photo simulation below. 

  • Share I see stakes in the ground put up recently at the vacant city-owned lot at the SE corner of SE 40th and Island Crest Way (4004 ICW). What is going on there? Adding a right turn lane? on Facebook Share I see stakes in the ground put up recently at the vacant city-owned lot at the SE corner of SE 40th and Island Crest Way (4004 ICW). What is going on there? Adding a right turn lane? on Twitter Share I see stakes in the ground put up recently at the vacant city-owned lot at the SE corner of SE 40th and Island Crest Way (4004 ICW). What is going on there? Adding a right turn lane? on Linkedin Email I see stakes in the ground put up recently at the vacant city-owned lot at the SE corner of SE 40th and Island Crest Way (4004 ICW). What is going on there? Adding a right turn lane? link

    I see stakes in the ground put up recently at the vacant city-owned lot at the SE corner of SE 40th and Island Crest Way (4004 ICW). What is going on there? Adding a right turn lane?

    Michael Friedman asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for contacting the City. The work at 4004 Island Crest Way is a different project. Construction is scheduled to begin there this week. The property was acquired recently by the City for future transportation needs and current improvements include some new sidewalk along the Island Crest Way frontage, pedestrian access into the lot, and new landscaping. The project should be completed by mid-December.

Page last updated: 14 May 2024, 08:30 PM