Construction projects for bike lanes, culvert and ferry dock discussed @ Fauntleroy Community Association’s November meeting

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“Hang onto your hats, it’s going to be a busy year!”

That lighthearted yet serious message on the topic of neighborhood construction and traffic projects was shared by one of the presenters (but echoed by all) on Tuesday night, as the Fauntleroy Community Association held their November meeting at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.

The meeting was facilitated by FCA president Frank Immel and featured a number of topics, most notably a number of key project updates by guest experts representing SDOT (Jim Curtin and Matt Howard), Washington State Ferries (Hadley Rodero, Bryant Bullamore, Nicole McIntosh and Frank Fiedler) and Seattle Public Utilities (Justin Record, joining online via Zoom).

As we’ve reported in detail, several major transportation and infrastructure projects are moving forward Fauntleroy, including SDOT’s protected bike lanes and street safety improvements (fast-tracked for completion by the end of 2026), WSF’s new traffic signal at the ferry dock and long-term plan to replace and expand the ferry dock, and Seattle Public Utilities’ replacement of the deteriorating Fauntleroy Creek culvert to restore fish passage (part of a multi-culvert SPU plan). Another planned area project that we’ve covered here, for a crossing and median at Fauntleroy/Rose, was not discussed on Tuesday night.

Representatives from the three agencies emphasize that while each project will bring construction-related impacts and challenges for the surrounding community, they are committed to working together to minimize disruptions, coordinate construction schedules and traffic management, and keep residents informed. In particular, SDOT and WSF underscored that commitment by noting they had met earlier that same day to discuss project coordination and ways to reduce the cumulative impacts to the Fauntleroy neighborhood.

Highlights from Tuesday’s meeting:

POLICE UPDATES: Three officers from the Southwest Precinct were on-hand to give some quick updates and to answer questions. In Fauntleroy, robberies are down significantly, burglaries and theft up slightly, vehicle thefts and property crime down.  In West Seattle overall, motor vehicle theft and shots fired are down, robberies are up (due largely to a “crime spree” of 18 incidents in a short time span suspected to be done by a single group).  One of the officers shared a success story and offered a “thanks” to the community: Two weeks prior, SPD received a neighbor’s tip about a suspect attempting multiple home break-ins near the tennis courts across from Lincoln Park. The suspect entered a home while it was empty, and officers were able to surround the house and make an arrest.

In response to a question about a trend in Seattle (and nationwide) related to cars being stolen by “hacking key fobs,” SPD said that thieves have access to devices that basically function as a “repeater” that allow them to gain access to vehicles outside, by sending signals to the owner’s key fob inside the house. Citizens can help prevent this by keeping their keys further inside their house (not by the front door near the vehicle), and to purchase “Faraday” protective bags and boxes (or tin foil wrap) to keep fobs safer.

NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS: After the SPD officers wrapped up, the agency reps provided construction project updates for the FCA board.

Protected bike lanes: First up were the two reps from SDOT, who shared details from a new project factsheet that was recently published. As we reported previously, SDOT is building protected bike lanes in both directions near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal following several serious collisions (including bicyclist Maridee Bonadea who was killed in June) and Mayor Katie Wilson signing an executive order mandating completion by the end of 2026. Preliminary work, including concrete joint sealing and asphalt repairs, is underway, but specific details of the final design are still being determined.

Plans include a three-way stop at Fauntleroy Way and Wildwood Place, and two new crosswalks, and “substantial” physical barriers (specifics TBD) to separate cyclists from traffic and to discouraging vehicles from going up on sidewalks. SDOT has also tested bus movements to ensure Metro can navigate the redesigned roadway without entering bike lanes.

Ferry passenger loading zones, which are currently located along Fauntleroy Way south of the terminal, will be moved into the adjacent triangle parking lot. Some existing spaces in that lot which are designated for carpools will become short-term passenger loading zones. Further up the street to the east, business loading areas and the bus stop between 45th and 46th streets will remain unchanged.

SDOT expects some vehicle backups during peak ferry unloading periods, but said its research and modeling indicates that the ferry queues will not interfere with the intersection signal or ferry operations. SDOT said they will continue evaluating barriers to discourage vehicles from mounting sidewalks and address neighborhood safety concerns.

Next steps: Finalize the protected bike lane design and publish plans, evaluate stronger barriers at high-risk curves, implement a new 3-way stop and crosswalks at Fauntleroy/Wildwood, relocate ferry load zones into the triangle lot, continue coordination with Metro and WSF, maintain mailer/listserv updates and consider doing an additional public meeting.

The public is encouraged to send feedback to SDOT at [email protected] or via phone at (206) 900-8734.

Ferry dock stoplight and long-term expansion: The next presenters were the four guests from WSF: The agency is planning a new traffic signal at the ferry dock intersection to better manage vehicle loading and unloading, and also to reduce reliance on paid traffic-control officers. The reps said that construction will require alternating one-way traffic with flaggers during the day, as well as detours during evening hours. Traffic impacts could last up to eight weeks, with advance notice planned before construction begins. The signal will include a pedestrian push button, with the City of Seattle responsible for its operation and timing.

Meanwhile, WSF is also moving forward with long-term plans to replace the Fauntleroy dock at its existing location. The replacement dock is expected to accommodate existing 124-car vessels as well as newer 160-car hybrid-electric ferries. The new toll plaza will be designed to hold approximately 124 to 155 vehicles, improving loading and on-time performance. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review is underway following completion of the earlier planning process, which evaluated more than 1,400 public comments. The project will consider two potential dock designs and improvements to reduce shoreline erosion and restore fish habitat near the shore.

WSF plans to use a “progressive design-build approach” to maintain ferry service and traffic flow during construction. The environmental review is expected to take at least two years, and the project is not yet fully funded, and a long-term construction schedule has not been established.

Next steps: Plan three weeks of outreach prior to signal construction impacts, confirm the schedule for day flagging and night detours, coordinate with Metro and the city, begin civil work (post-Thanksgiving or post-New Year’s), install signal equipment upon delivery, adjust signal timing post-activation, return to FCA in January with Fauntleroy dock replacement updates, and plan NEPA-kickoff community meetings.

Fauntleroy culvert replacement: The final guest presentation of the evening was via Zoom from SPU, which is preparing to replace the deteriorating 24-inch culvert near 45th Avenue SW and SW Director St. The existing structure blocks fish passage and is in poor condition. The replacement will create an approximately 14-foot-wide, 9-foot-tall open-bottom culvert designed to restore fish access and improve stream habitat.

Early work, which has been underway since June, includes relocating overhead utilities underground and installing infrastructure for electric-powered bypass pumps. The main project will also involve stream restoration, regrading slopes, and replanting vegetation. Some tree removals will be necessary, with replacement plantings required.

Construction will eventually require a road closure lasting up to 24 months, although the contractor is expected to intentionally delay the closure (and the start of the project) until preparations are complete, to minimize disruption. Temporary traffic changes will include converting the intersections of 45th and SW Director and California Ave SW and SW Barton Street to four-way stops.

The project is fully funded, and a public meeting is scheduled for November 17 from 6-7 PM at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (WSB calendar listing here).

Next steps: Finalize the contractor next week and publish a detailed schedule, plan for 2027 late-summer/fall road closure, implement temporary four-way stops at SW Director/45th and California/Barton, maintain website and communication updates, and host the Nov 17 public meeting.

FCA BUSINESS: Board members discussed several other topics, including:

• Pumpkin Hunt: FCA volunteer Candace Blue, longtime organizer of the Great Pumpkin Search, gave an update on last month’s event, which had a different format this year — rather than being a separate event at a separate location, it was somewhat combined with the Fauntleroy Fall Festival.  Blue reported that although participants had a good time, the attendance was average, and there was a fair amount of confusion amongst participants about how to check-in and be part of it. Board members agreed that plans will be revisited for next year.
• Disaster Seminar: Board members discussed last month’s successful FCA-hosted “Quakes, Tsunamis and You” seminar, which drew about 90 attendees and featured a presentation by disaster-response strategist Mac Macdonald. Also discussed was community support hub revitalization efforts, and working with local expert volunteers including Cindi Barker and Chris Jamarillo.
• Finances, Membership and Newsletter: Board members discussed the group’s budget and upcoming newsletter production, as well as some new features utilizing their platform Wild Apricot.
• Board Recruitment and Bylaws: The FCA board is continuing to look for new members, and has had some strong interest. Anyone interested in serving on the board should contact FCA via their website. The board is also continuing to review and update its bylands, and on Tuesday night they shared a printout with side-by-side changes for board members to review.
• Planter Boxes: Board member Susan Lantz-Dey talked about the Endolyne-area planter boxes and said a fall work party is happening soon, on November 21.

The FCA board meets on second Tuesdays, 6 pm, at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.

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