Pavement on this portion of SR 500 needs to be replaced soon. This stretch of SR 500 has sidewalks with little or no buffer from traffic and does not have biking facilities, forcing bicyclists to ride on the sidewalk or in the travel lanes alongside vehicles. These issues make walking, biking and using assistive mobility devices more difficult.
- Repaving this portion of SR 500 will ensure a smooth ride for many years to come.
- A Complete Streets study will develop designs to make the road safer and more comfortable for people walking, using bicycles, or rolling with assistive devices.
About Complete Streets
As of 2022, Washington state law directs WSDOT to “incorporate the principles of complete streets” in projects of $500,000 or more. Repaving this part of SR 500 meets that threshold.
A Complete Streets design can help make a community safer, healthier and more equitable. By providing alternative transportation options, even those who primarily drive benefit from reduced traffic and travel times.
What are Complete Streets?
Complete Streets is a system that enables safe, convenient access for all types of transportation options – walking, biking, driving and riding transit.
SR 500 has a Level of Traffic Stress of 4 for both pedestrians and bicyclists – on a scale of 1 to 4, where 4 is the most stressful travel experience for the user. For this study, we’ll develop designs to reduce that level to 2 or better. That means we’ll design it to be safer for most adults, including those who experience disabilities. Here’s an example.
Funding
The repaving of SR 500 and construction of Complete Streets improvements are not yet funded. The pre-design study will determine what they would cost so that the project can move forward once funding is available.
Timeline
In early winter 2024, we’ll refine the design based on what you tell us. We’ll share it at a second open house in spring 2025.
