Neighbor's Interesting History On Sand Point Way, Still a State Highway

 The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in a recent newsletter:

Sand Point Way and State Route 513 

Written by Jim Rupp, LCC trustee and historian 

If you are using a navigation app when you leave Laurelhurst on Mary Gates Drive, the voice will direct you to turn onto NE 45th Street, and some apps will also refer to “State Route 513.” What’s that all about? 

Well, the 3.35-mile stretch starting at the 520 Interchange, proceeding over the Montlake Bridge and along Montlake Boulevard, then on Sand Point Way up to the entrance to Magnuson Park at Northeast 65th Street, is still a state highway. It is a remnant of a longer highway whose origins can be traced way back to 1864 and at one time it extended from downtown Seattle to the city limits at NE 145th Street. 

Much of State Route 513 was created in preparation for the AlaskaYukon-Pacific exposition, Seattle’s first world’s fair, held on the UW campus in 1909. At that time, the eastern edge of Montlake Boulevard, where the UW parking lot is now located, was marshland full of cattails. 

It was still true in 1934, when my father and his UW fraternity brothers gathered cattails to decorate for a fraternity party. In 1971 the highway’s southern terminus was shortened to begin at Highway 520, then in 1991 the north end was terminated at Magnuson Park. Our odd little stretch of highway is part of the National Highway System, which identifies it as an asset of importance to the national economy, defense, and mobility. 

The state still has jurisdiction over State Route 513, which is why, until 2021, its 35 mph speed limit was higher than that of surrounding streets. That higher limit was authorized by the Washington State Highway Commission in the 1970s, when my dad was a member of the Commission. About a week after that change was implemented, my mother was driving home about 11:30 p.m., from a bridge game in Washington Park, when she was pulled over near Hec Edmundson Pavilion for speeding. “Well officer,” she said, “I’m quite sure I wasn’t speeding because my husband is on the State Highway Commission and I know they changed the speed limit here to 35.” The officer told her she was wrong and gave her a ticket, BUT along about midnight our doorbell rang and there was the officer. He apologized to my mother and took back the ticket. Mom was right again. 

Last year the state agreed with the city that a 30 mph speed limit would be safer, so new speed limit signs were installed in March of 2021. This was part of the city’s ongoing efforts help end traffic deaths and serious injuries by lowering speed limits here and there. 

Thursday SPD Holding Community Meeting About Recent Sand Point Way Shooting

The Seattle Police Department is holding a special community meeting at 7pm tomorrow at the Lake City Community Center (12531 28th Avenue NE)

The information says:

The Seattle Police Department invites you to a community meeting regarding the shooting incident on Sand Point Way.  

Seattle Police command staff will be there to relay any authorized updates and discuss first responder deployment.

A Laurelhurst Elementary School 2nd grade teacher was one of two victims that survived the shooting and is reportedly still in the Hospital.

Take Survey On Sand Point Way NE Project

The City is seeking feedback, through Friday, on the Sand Point Way corridor, where 16,000 vehicles travel daily, along with many bus routes.

The information says:

In 2017, Seattle Department of Transportation completed a transportation study to identify potential corridor enhancements along Sand Point Way NE.  

In 2016, residents from the community submitted a request to fund sidewalk improvements along Sand Point Way NE. This request was driven by the lack of continuous sidewalks, and the safety concerns within the corridor, which led to a transportation study. 

Now they want to hear from those who live, work and play along Sand Point Way NE in order to gather feedback on local conditions, opportunities and potential challenges along the street. Share your thoughts in our online survey 

Go here for more information.

Hospital's Hartmann Building On Sand Point Way To Be Remodeled Later This Year

The Hartmann Building, owned by Children's Hospital, where Sand Point Pediatrics previously was located, will be undergoing a remodel starting late this year.

The Hartmann Building, a one story brick building, directly across from the Hospital on Sand Point Way, is not part of the Hospital's Major Institution Master Plan, so it cannot be demolished as stated in the settlement between the Hospital and the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC), which was jointly presented in 2010 to the City Council and formally included in the Major Institution Master Plan.

LCC stated in a release to the neighborhood in February 2010 regarding the property:

LCC and Seattle Children's Find Balance on Hospital Master Plan

Seattle Children's Hospital and the Laurelhurst Community Club announced that they have reached a settlement concerning the hospital's proposed expansion. The settlement was jointly presented this morning to the City Council as providing a path forward for City approval of Children's proposed Major Institution Master Plan.

No expansion of Children's campus across Sand Point Way: Children's Hartmann property, located across Sand Point Way, is removed from the Major Institution Master Plan. It may be re-developed separately under more limited non-institutional zoning. Children's is still committed to implementing community benefits for Hartmann such as retaining the Sequoia grove, providing landscaping screen, and building a pedestrian/bicycle access to the Burke-Gilman trail.

Fifty-year restriction on campus expansion into residential areas: For a period of 50 years, Children's agrees not to expand its boundaries into specified residential areas to the south, east, and north.

Todd Johnson, Vice President, Facilities and Supply Chain, told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff:

We will be remodeling the Hartmann Building to become the home of Seattle Children's Endocrinology Clinic.  This outpatient facility will serve newly diagnosed pediatric diabetics and their families, offering training and hopefully avoiding the need for hospitalization.  Our teams will provide ongoing care and conduct diabetes research as well.   

We are actively working with doctors, nurses, administrative staff and patient families to design the new space.  Because we're presenting a new care model, the design work is taking longer than normally expected.   

The exterior of the building will not change, although we will replace windows. Construction will begin later this year, and will be confined to weekdays between 7am and 5pm. I don’t believe that there will be any impact on neighbors in terms of noise, odors, dust, traffic or parking.

When the clinic is operational in late 2018, it will operate weekdays and possibly partial days on Saturdays.  We would anticipate a lower level of activity than what we saw with Virginia Mason Sand Point Pediatrics, the former occupant of the space.

In August 2012, the area in front of the Hartmann Building, underwent the first round of improvements along the stretch of Sand Point Way NE as part of the Hospital's Livable Streets Initiative, which is a mitigation plan and collaborative study completed in 2009-2010 involving the Hospital, Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) and other NE Seattle neighborhoods

Several other projects were completed in the Initiative:

A new sidewalk in November 2012, on the north side of NE 50th Street, which includes curb bulbs on the northwest and northeast corners of the intersection with 40th Avenue NE to shorten the long crossing. The northeast curb bulb was extended to accommodate a Metro bus stop. The improvements make the crossing safer between the hospital, Ronald McDonald House and the ramp to connect to the Burke Gilman Trail, near the Hartmann Building.
 

In February 2013, a cycletrack was also completed on the east side of Sand Point Way NE running in front of the hospital between Penny Drive and the new traffic signal at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point way.  The 10-foot wide cycletrack has separate paths for bikes and pedestrians for each direction.   The project included the large bus waiting zone at the midway point, near the Hartmann Building.

In April 2014 an ADA-accessible new link between and access ramp to the Burke-Gilman Trail at the Hartman Building.  The new path, features railings, benches, native plantings and a community information kiosk, and helped to stabilize a steep slope as well as protect a grove of three sequoia trees. 

The Hospital was required to build the connection, as part of the Intiative, and make nearly $4 million on other transportation improvements in adherence to the Master Plan over 20 years to improve bike/pedestrian connectivity throughout Northeast Seattle.

In June 2014, the Hartmann Building’s frontage along Sand Point Way was renovated, with a new sidewalk, retaining wall and landscaping. a new sidewalk, curbs, gutters, drive aprons and rock wall were installed followed by replanting – trees, shrubs and other vegetation, some of which were salvaged from the Hartmann frontage before the makeover began and others salvaged from the Laurelon Terrace Condominiums site, (136 unit condo buildings demolished in 2010) or propagated elsewhere on our campus. report Metro plans to build a new bus shelter along the Hartmann frontage. 

In January 2013 , a new traffic signal and redesigned intersection at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way NE was completed making it easier to cross four lanes of traffic .

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Major Changes Proposed For Sand Point Way, Give Input Tonight At Public Meeting

                                                                                  

The community is invited to attend a public meeting on the Sand Point Way Corridor Study tonight at 7pm in the Officers Club in Building 30 in Magnuson Park. 

The public is encouraged to attend and learn about the preliminary proposed plans and provide input.

Information received said:

Over the last six or more months SDOT (Seattle Department of Transportation) has been meeting with a stakeholder group of nearby neighbors to consider possible changes to the Sand Point Way corridor to improve safety and access for everyone who uses Sand Point Way, especially where it runs along Magnuson Park on the north end.  

The group has met with two different consultants who have been studying the area, traffic, landscape, etc, as well as considering  suggestions and concerns.  The stakeholder group has been impressed with the preliminary plans and believes the plan will have positive benefits. 

Last month SDOT presented a Safety Study of the Sand Point Way Corridor from Children's Hospital to NOAA to the Magnuson Park Advisory Committee.   SDOT' has been studying how to improve pedestrian safety along this corridor.  

The key proposal is to narrow Sand Point way from 4 lanes to 3 along much of this part of the corridor, creating room for segregated left hand turn lanes in the middle, and freeing up existing concrete for pedestrian walkways (where none exist) that would be separated from traffic with some sort of barrier.  This would likely coincide with reducing the speed limit.

This also includes a proposal to create a separated walkway on Sand Point Way adjacent to the Sand Pointer Apartments, from NE 65th Street south to Princeton Avenue NE, across from City People's.   These major changes proposed to Sand Point Way NE, include revisions starting at Princeton Avenue, one way in each direction.

Please attend tonight to give your input. It's very important SDOT hear from everyone that will be affected, including neighbors and those that commute through that area. 

Here is information on the preliminary proposals. And for more information go here.

New Sand Point Way Signal Crossing Now Activated At 52nd Avenue NE



new signal at Sand Point Way and 52nd Avenue NE



 

 

The new signal at Sand Point Way and 52nd Avenue NE is now operational, Paul Elliott with the 

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) told us.

 

Last week drivers may have noticed that the signal was put into a testing flash mode, with flashing yellow on both streets, which also helps introduce motorists to the presence of the light, Paul said.

Construction on the light began late last year which included demolition, grading and site preparation followed by framing, concerte pouring and finish work.

 

The signal is part of Children's Hospital's traffic mitigation plan called the Livable Streets Initiative, included in the Major Institutions Master Plan, which is a 20 year plan for improving bike/pedestrian connectivity throughout Northeast Seattle.  The goal of the initiative is to "create projects to improve safety, health, flow of transportation and livability around the hospital," their website says.
 
The signal is project number 7 of the Livable Street Initiative, Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Children's Director of Transportation and Sustainability, told us. He added that the project "was identified from community input in 2010 and paid for with a combination of Seattle Children’s Livable Streets funds and Neighborhood Matching Grant Funds.  
 
Paulo added:

With the completion of this project and the access ramp to the Burke-Gilman Trail at the Hartman Building, we will have completed all of the phase one Livable Streets Initiative projects. The Initiative is intended to follow all phases of hospital expansion until the 2030 Master Plan is completed. When a new phase of development is approved, the LSI will pick up again with addition funds and new projects.

Cary, a Laurelhurst resident who worked on the project, told us the original recommendation for a crossing at this location came from the Sand Point Way Pedestrian Study and was requested by LCC and the NE District Council who participated in the original study.

"Adding a crossing signal will allow transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists a safer crossing. It also serves as a safe route to Laurelhurst Elementary school and access to the Burke Gilman Trail.," Cary told us.

 

NE 50^th Street was not deemed a good candidate for a signalized control because of its proximity to the Penny Drive signal.
 

For more information go here or email LivableStreets@SeattleChildrens.org.

 

 

Sand Point Way NE And Windermere Sewer Project Starts Today Through September

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) starts work today on Sand Point Way NE between NE 60th Street and NE 65th Street to install a 60-inch diameter casing under the road, as part of the Windermere Sewage Overflow Prevention Project, which will  improve the sewer system to reduce the frequency and volume of sewer overflows into Lake Washington during periods of heavy rainfall.

North bound lanes of Sand Point Way NE between NE 60th Street and NE 64th Street will be closed 24/7 until the end of September. 

Southbound lanes will be changed to allow traffic on one lane in each direction during the closure. Sidewalks will remain open with minor detours. 

Road crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Street Repairs At 47th Avenue NE Near Sand Point Way Start Today

Seattle Department of Transportation crews are in the process of replacing  worn concrete road panels and installing a curb bulb and curb ramps at 47^th Avenue Northeast (near Sand Point Way and Northeast 54^th Street) starting today until June 7th.

The information says:

Traffic flaggers will assist alternating directions of traffic on 47^th Avenue Northeast from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The street will be closed to southbound traffic from Sand Point Way NE to NE 54^th Street from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. until Saturday, May 25th.

Crews will return to site on Wednesday May 29 to begin construction of a curb bulb and four curb ramps. Traffic flaggers will again maintain alternating directions of traffic during work hours, but this time there will be no nighttime closures.  

This project is being funded by pedestrian safety and annual paving programs and the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative.

New Lights, Sidewalks, Bike Path and Video Detection System Help Make Crossing Sand Point Way Safer



The redesigned intersection at Sand Point Way NE and 40th Avenue NE has been completed, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy intersection as well as for vehicles making turns on to 40th Avenue NE off of Sand Point way.  The intersection includes a new traffic signal, left-turn lanes and crosswalks.

The intersection’s new signal stops traffic in all directions for pedestrians and cyclists.  A video detection system make sure the road is clear of pedestrians before the light turns green.  And if people clear the crossing early, the light changes soooner to allow vehicles to continue.

"The redesigned intersection provides a more direct path for transit riders who previously had to walk a considerable distance to safely traverse Sand Point Way at a signalized location" the Hospital Blog says.

A new sidewalk and bicycle path, which includes separate lanes in each direction, was also installed in front of the Hospital along the east side of Sand Point Way that links up with the redesigned intersection and runs from Penny Drive to 40th Avenue.

The Hospital Blog says that King County Metro "chipped" in to install two new bus shelters on both sides of the street.  Service was also extended to the hospital from three additional routes.

Road Repairs Through Tuesday On Sand Point Way

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is making pavement repairs on Sand Point Way Northeast between Northeast 65th Street and Northeast 70th Street.

Sand Point Way is reduced to one lane in each direction through Tuesday, February 26 for 24 hours a day.

The crews are replacing 22 street panels.

Do You Want To See A Digital Billboard On Sand Point Way?



Digital billboard in Tukwila, Washington

The Laurelhurst Community Club sent us email about legislation in the works that would allow digital billboards on Sand Point Way as well as several Washington State Highways.

The email we received says:

About a decade ago, LCC opposed video billboards on a proposal before the city council and we were successful in getting many limitations.  LCC’s biggest concern was driver distraction and pollution of our urban environment. Now, there are proposals in the legislature that would authorize digital outdoor advertising billboards on state highways—including Sand Point Way.   

Please take a moment to email legislators. The message below provides a link to contact legislators and only takes a moment to do so.
 

And here is a message LCC forwarded to us from Keep Washington Beautiful, a non-profit group:

Right this minute, legislation is moving rapidly through the Washington State House and Senate to permit digital outdoor advertising signs along state highways (HB 1408 and SB 5304). 

If passed, we will see a statewide proliferation of digital outdoor advertising signs (like those on tribal lands at Fife facing I-5). This bill will increase driver distraction, light pollution, energy waste, and be detrimental to our $16 billion tourism business. For over 50 years cities all over Washington State have prohibited billboard growth and been subjected to continual litigation from the billboard industry.  

To attract votes the industry is offering free “emergency messaging.” The truth is it’s not free or necessary. In exchange for providing about 1% access for emergencies, they get to broadcast 99% advertising.  WSDOT already has a complete system in place. 

Once allowed there is no control over advertising content and when giant signs are installed they are unlikely to come down in our lifetime. 

Please, right now, tell the House Transportation Committee that you oppose this legislation by clicking this link: http://keepwashingtonbeautiful.org/take-action.html. 

And for more information, studies and research about digital billboards go here. 

Thank you for caring about preserving the safety, unique natural beauty, tourism, and environmental leadership practices of Washington State.

(photo courtesy of blog.thenewstribune.com)

Sand Point Way And 40th Avenue NE Signal Work On Schedule

Signal construction at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way

 

 

The intersection improvements at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way NE are on schedule and should be completed in a few weeks according to the Hospital construction blog.

The information says:

The revamped intersection will feature a new traffic signal that will improve traffic flow and make it safer and easier to cross the street at this busy spot. 

Most work on the east side of Sand Point Way is complete – including installing a signal arm and building curbs, sidewalks and a cycle path.  

A new second signal pole and curb and gutter, sidewalks are currently underway.  

Some street trees will be removed from the median to  create a left turn lane onto 40th Avenue NE.
 

Here are the additional construction activites happening this week:

Helen Lane
Near the disabled access ramp up from Sand Point Way NE there is a temporary construction fence with work proceeding around the connector road tie-in. 

Site Elevator
Crews are working to complete the site elevator and access to it.

Building Interior Work
Crews are completing the interior construction. They are also completing electrical, air handling, and all ancillary systems for the hospital.

(photo courtesy of Hospital site)

New Hospital Building Exterior Lighting, Sand Point Street Lighting And Parking Lot Lighting To Turn On Soon

The Hospital Construction Blog posted recently that exterior lighting on the new building is being tested, adjusted and turned on.

New street lights along Sand Point Way NE will also be turned on very soon in the landscaped buffer along NE 45th Street. And parking lot lights will follow over the next several weeks.

And here are the construction related activities taking place this week:

Pedestrian and Traffic Disruptions - due to high volume of construction activities along Sand Point way, 40^th Avenue NE and NE 45^th Street

Street Improvement Work - along Sand Point Way between 40^th Avenue NE and Penny Drive. There will be a new sidewalk, cycle path, and Metro stop with shelter.

40^th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way Signal Project - intersection improvements include signalization in all four directions and crosswalks. 

Building Exterior Cladding - at the new site elevator, near the Giraffe entrance (future River zone), crews are now installing the lobby finishes.

Building Interior Work - crews are completing the interior construction. They are also completing electrical, air handling, and all ancillary systems for the hospital.

One Lane On Sand Point Closed 24 Hours For Next Few Weeks

The  northbound, outside lane of Sand Point Way NE between Mary Gates Memorial Drive and NE 52nd Street, will be closed 24 hours a day starting today for the next 2-3 weeks.

Puget Sound Energy will be replacing the gas main which involves demolishing and restoring the sidewalk and roadway pavement.  Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are also being upgraded. 

For more information contact Marybeth Turner (206) 684-8548 with SDOT or email construction@seattlechildrens.org.

Work Begins This Week On Sand Point Way In Front Of Hartmann Building

Work begins this week for the next month to improve the frontage of the Hartman Building, where Sand Point Pediatrics is located, along Sand Point Way NE, according to the Hospital Construction Blog.

The project will include:

• building a new sidewalk
• curbs and gutters
• replacing existing landscaping
• constructing a new retaining wall

This is the first round of improvements along this stretch of Sand Point Way NE as part of the Livable Streets Initiative.

Later this year a new traffic signal will be installed as well as a redesigned intersection at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way NE near the Wells Fargo Bank. The intersection will include a new Sand Point Way pedestrian crossing to improve access and safety in the area.

The new signal will  incorporate a video detection system that will lengthen the duration of the crossing signal if people are slow to clear the intersection and shorten the duration if they clear quickly, thus allowing traffic to move sooner.

Also in the works is a two-way cycle track with separate paths for bikes and pedestrians along the hospital  frontage with Sand Point Way NE.

One Lane To Be Closed On Sand Point Way This Week For SDOT Work

One lane in either direction on Sandpoint Way between 47th Avenue NE to NE 65th Street will be closed this week for work in the median strip, according to the SDOT traffic advisory.

Landscape crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation Department will be working in the median of Sandpoint Way NE to cut back overgrowth to improve traffic safety and visibility.

One inside lane at a time will be closed in the work area between 8 - 3pm.