East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project
Updated March 19, 2024
What's Happening Now?
We are excited to begin work on the E Marginal Way S Corridor Improvement Project. We are moving materials and equipment onto the project site and starting early work at S Horton St that includes railroad track removal, locating utility lines, and starting storm drain work. During this work, S Horton St between E Marginal Way S and SR 99 is closed and a detour is in place. We expect this detour to be in place for 4-8 weeks.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Closure of S Horton St between E Marginal Way S and SR 99 for 4-8 weeks. General purpose traffic will detour to 1st Ave S at S Hanford St and S Spokane St.
- E Marginal Way S between S Spokane St and S Massachusetts restricted to freight and Port of Seattle traffic only. All other traffic detoured to 1st Ave S or nearby streets.
- Reduction to one northbound lane between S Hinds St and S Hanford St for freight and Port of Seattle traffic
- Bicycle detour with barriers on E Marginal Way S from S Hinds St to S Hanford St
To complete our work as quickly and safely as possible, we are closing East Marginal Way S to general purpose traffic for the duration of construction.
During construction, you can expect:
- East Marginal Way S is restricted to freight vehicles and Port of Seattle traffic only between S Spokane St and S Massachusetts
- General purpose traffic detoured onto 1st Ave S or nearby streets. See detour map below.
- Access is maintained for people walking, biking, and rolling along East Marginal Way S using different routes to avoid active construction areas. Detour routes may change to accommodate project work and will be signed.
Stay connected!
- Email us at EastMarginal@seattle.gov
- Leave us a message at (206) 257-2263.
- Opt-in to SMS updates by texting ‘eastmarginal’ to (206) 222-0105
Overview
As Seattle grows, improvements to freight mobility are essential to promote regional and international economic competitiveness. East Marginal Way S is a major freight corridor that provides access to the Port of Seattle terminals, rail yards, industrial businesses, and between local Manufacturing and Industrial Centers (MIC's). It is also a designated Heavy Haul Route, critical last-mile connector, and vital route for over-sized trucks or those carrying flammable cargo. The corridor also provides a major connection for people who bike between the West Seattle Bridge Trail, downtown, and the SODO neighborhood.
This project extends along East Marginal Way S from S Atlantic St to 1st Ave S, and is divided in three segments – North, Central, and South. Each segment is moving at its own schedule based on funding available for design and construction. Building this project in segments allows us to deliver improvements with existing funding more quickly while we secure design and construction for funding for other segments.
This project will:
- Improve safety and reliability in the movement of people and goods
- Support freight loads by rebuilding East Marginal Way S to heavy haul standards
- Promote efficiency through signal modifications, improving wayfinding and lighting, and intelligent transportation systems
- Improve safety by separating people walking, biking, and rolling from vehicle traffic
The North Segment (S Atlantic St to S Spokane St) is the first to complete design and move into construction. Check out the Project Segments section below to learn more about each segment’s planned improvements and design/funding status.
Benefits
- Improved safety - Improved access and connections for all corridor users. Separated facilities for people walking, biking, and rolling to reduce potential conflicts.
- Better freight mobility - Support the economic vitality of our region by making it easier for freight to access the Port of Seattle and local industrial businesses.
- More efficient connections - New and updated facilities for people walking and biking will improve access for transit. Signal modifications and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) will optimize travel for all corridor users.
Project segments
- North Segment - S Atlantic St to S Spokane St
- Central Segment - S Spokane St to Diagonal Ave S
- South Segment - Duwamish Ave S to 1st Ave S
Select each segment below for more information about the design and schedule.
East Marginal Way Segments
North Segment
The North Segment runs from S Atlantic St to S Spokane St.
North Segment improvements will reduce conflicts between people biking and trucks accessing Port of Seattle driveways and increase safety and efficiency through the corridor. Design improvements include:
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Reconstructing the East Marginal Way S roadway to heavy haul standards from approximately S Massachusetts St to S Spokane St
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Protected bike lane separating non-motorized modes from freight traffic on the east side of East Marginal Way S between S Atlantic St and S Spokane St
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Multi-use path on the west side of the street between S Horton St and S Spokane St
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New signalized diagonal bicycle crossing at East Marginal Way S and S Horton St
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Rebuilding the intersection and existing traffic signal at East Marginal Way S and S Hanford St
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Revised curb radius with a truck apron at S Spokane St
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New bike crossing with rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at East Marginal Way S and S Massachusetts St
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Replacing the existing water main in areas where the roadway will be reconstructed north of S Horton St
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Rebuilding the sidewalk on the west side of East Marginal Way S adjacent to the roadway reconstruction north of S Horton St
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Redesigning driveway at Terminal 25 South to improve visibility for people biking and driving
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Dynamic message sign at S Alaska St and East Marginal Way S
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Weigh-in-Motion system to help SDOT better understand wear and tear on our roadways and replace current spot-check enforcement system
Planned improvements: S Atlantic St to S Massachusetts St
Planned improvements: S Hanford St to S Horton St
Planned improvements: S Horton St to S Spokane St
Central Segment
The Central Segment runs from S Spokane St and Diagonal Ave S. We have completed 90% design and the Central Segment is on pause while we pursue additional design and construction funding opportunities.
This project aims to upgrade the Heavy Haul network, provide a clear route through the confusing area between S Spokane St and Diagonal Ave S, and construct a shared use trail to separate people walking and biking from motor vehicle traffic.
Freight improvements proposed in the Central Segment include:
- Reconstructing the surface street of East Marginal Way S to heavy haul standards between S Spokane St and Duwamish Ave S
- Improving wayfinding and lighting
- Installing a Weigh-in-Motion system for northbound traffic at Duwamish Ave S
- Realigning the southwest corner of Diagonal Ave S and East Marginal Way S to improve the turning radius for eastbound trucks making a right turn
- Adding a new shared-use path for people walking, biking, and rolling starting south of S Spokane St and continuing to Diagonal Ave S. Due to space constraints, the shared-use path will begin on the east side of the street and then transition to the west side of the street with a marked crosswalk.
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South Segment
The South Segment runs from Duwamish Ave S to 1st Ave S, and is unfunded for both design and construction. We completed a preliminary design and will continue to pursue funding opportunities to advance the South Segment.
The South Segment is part of State Route 99. There are no existing bike facilities or sidewalks on the west side of the street and sections of missing sidewalks on the east side of the street.
In March 2018, we completed a preliminary design for the South Segment that included:
- Pedestrian improvements at each existing traffic signal
- Constructing missing sidewalks on the east side of the street
- Bus stop improvements
- Signal enhancements where appropriate to improve predictability and safety for people walking and biking
- Improve pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity to the 1st Ave S bridge
Benefits
Funding
Funding to evaluate alternatives and complete early design was provided by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Learn more about the levy at Levy to Move Seattle website. In 2019, we secured grants from Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and Federal Highways (FHWA) to complete full design for the north and central segments. In November 2021, we secured remaining grant funding to construct the North Segment of the project. North Segment funding partners include:
- Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB)
- Transportation Improvement Board (TIB)
- Port of Seattle
- Federal Highways (FHWA) funds from PSRC and RAISE
We continue to look for funds for construction of the Central Segment and to advance the South Segment design. Opportunities include state funding for highways and for non-motorized facilities, FMSIB, and other local transportation packages.
Segment | Design Funding | Construction Funding |
North | Yes | Yes |
Central | Yes | No |
South | No | No |
Schedule
This project began in 2015 and has advanced project planning and design through consistent engagement with community members, businesses, partner agencies, and community advocacy groups. We have secured funding to construct the North Segment of the project and expect to begin construction as soon as early 2024. Construction of the Central and South Segments will depend on identifying funding sources.
Planning phase (2015 - 2016)
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Data collection and preliminary traffic analysis
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Early design workshops
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Community engagement through online open house and survey
Design phase (2017 - 2023)
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North Segment design - completed summer 2022
- Central segment design - reached 90% design in summer 2023
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Freight and bike community engagement survey
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Briefings to community groups and bike detour workshop
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Coordination with railroad agencies
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Secured funds for North and Central Segment design and North Segment construction
Pre-construction of North Segment (2023)
- Potholing to locate utilities
- Ordered water main pipe
- Outreach to businesses
Construction of North Segment (Expected 2024- 2026)
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Expect to begin construction as soon as early 2024
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Community outreach during construction
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Expect to complete construction in 2026
Public Engagement
We are committed to keeping you informed and involved throughout this project. Your questions and comments are always welcome by sending us an email at EastMarginal@seattle.gov or calling (206) 257-2263. To request a briefing for your organization or for more information, please send an email to EastMarginal@seattle.gov.
Project Materials
- North Segment factsheet (May 2022)
- 90% design rollplot (May 2022)
- Project factsheet (Updated October 2021)
- State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Documentation
- RAISE Grant Application (July 2021)
- Freight Survey SummaryPhase 1
- 90% Protected Bike Lane at S Horton St
- Phase 1 90% Terminal 25 South Driveway
- Design Rollplot
- US Department of Transportation BUILD grant
- 60% Frequently Asked Questions
- 60% Outreach Summary
- 60% Design Overview Phase 1
- 60% Design Plan Set (selected sheets)
- Phase 2 60% Design Plan Set (selected sheets)
- Project Fact SheetEast Marginal Way project
- INFRA grant, submitted 2/25/20
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