Echo Lake neighborhood hears about the Aurora Corridor project

Attendees at the February 16 meeting of the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association heard Kirk McKinley, City of Shoreline Transportation Services Manager, talk about the Aurora Corridor Project. He reported that since the first mile of Aurora was completed, there has been a 60% drop in accidents on that stretch of road. In addition, people seem to be navigating the U turns without incident.

The construction for the second segment of Aurora. from 165th to 185th will begin soon. The utility companies - Ronald Wastewater, Puget Sound Energy, and Seattle Public Utilities water, are already out moving their lines.

There will be some differences in the second segment. There will be soil below the curb to act as a natural storm drain. The plants used will be the kind that filter chemicals. The medians will have cobbles. There will be art projects inlaid in the street with stainless steel, black concrete and sparkles at 175th and 185th, funded by the 1% for Art program.

Because of the building set-backs on the west side, there will be room for bio-swales to act as storm drains.

The project will cost $19 million, which because of the economy, is under budget. The City will have to give some of the money saved back to the granting agencies.

There will be construction differences this time because of what was learned on the first mile, to try to minimize disruption to businesses. Construction will finish one side before starting the other side. After both are finished, the medians will be constructed. Business entrances will be marked with plastic, water-filled jersey barriers. Construction is expected to be completed by June of 2011.

The next phase is 185th to 192nd. It is fully funded and 60% designed. It will go out to bid this spring and construction will start this summer. 192nd to 205th is not funded yet. The City has the funding to design, and some funding to purchase property, but is still working to identify full funding.
The Echo Lake Neighborhood Association meets on the third Tuesday of most months in Shoreline City Hall at 175th and Midvale. For more information, contact membership chair, Bob Whiteley, at 206-542-8789.

Photo of crews working by City Hall by Steven H. Robinson