Meridian-Girard Multimodal Safety Improvements

​​​​​​​​​​​Project Overview:​ Bike Lanes, ADA upgrades, Roundabout 

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In 2019, Public Works commissioned the West Illinois Street Multimodal Corridor Traffic Study to examine the pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular improvement needs on the West Illinois Street corridor from Sunset Drive to Lynn Street. The study included specific operational analysis of the Meridian/Illinois intersection as an existing traffic signal and as reconstructed with a multimodal roundabout that improves safety and access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles including WTA transit buses and freight trucks. The 2012 Pedestrian Master Plan identifies significant sidewalk gaps along both sides of West Illinois Street,​ especially on the west end of the corridor. The 2014 Bicycle Master Plan identifies gaps in the bicycle network along West Illinois Street, Meridian Street, and Girard Street, as highlighted in this Bicycle Connectivity Graphic. 

Bicycle lanes are proposed on both the West Illinois corridor and the Meridian-Girard corridor, but – due to physical space constraints – on-street parking will need to be removed from one side of each corridor. Importantly, bike lanes are not feasible on Meridian Street between West Illinois Street and Broadway Street due to the Fountain District Urban Village Master Plan stated preference for on-street parking to support ground floor commercial development on Meridian Street.  However, there are parallel bike routes available on each side of Meridian Street with marked bike lanes on the Dupont-Elm-Northwest corridor and the Vallette Street Bike Boulevard. ​Meridian Street through the Fountain District will have shared lane markings, the posted speed limit is 25 mph, and a roundabout at Meridian/Illinois will improve safety for all users, including bicyclists.  ​

Status: August 2020

Accomplishments:

Aerial footage of the Meridian-Girard corridor

Next milestones :

  • Neighborhood Meetings and Public Hearing [Subject to COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings] to propose:
  • Per recommendations in the Bicycle Master Plan (pages 45-46) and Fountain District Urban Village Plan, discuss parking removal, where necessary
    • On the Meridian-Girard corridor (Squalicum Pkwy to Young Street)
    • On the West Illinois corridor (Sunset Drive to Lynn Street)
  • Pending TIB grant funding, reconstruct Meridian/Illinois intersection summer 2021 to include:
    • Replacement of 93-year old water main – Funded at $175,000 summer 2021
    • Reconstruct intersection, convert traffic signal to roundabout, install bike lanes on Meridian (Squalicum Pkwy to W. Illinois) and on Girard (Broadway to Young)

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