Major northeast Seattle artery closed for six-month construction, creek project
Jun 2, 2014, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:07 pm
An artists' rendering shows the view of Thornton Creek in ten years from a new bridge now going in as part of a major overhaul in northeast Seattle that got underway Monday. (SPU image)
(SPU image)
A big detour now on one of Seattle’s busier streets means less flooding and happier fish later, Seattle Public Utilities says about a major construction project that got underway Monday in Wedgewood.
The city is removing an undersized culvert next to the Meadowbrook Community Center and replacing it with a bridge to improve the flow of Thornton Creek. For years, winter rains have brought significant flooding to streets, homes and nearby schools in the area.
Crews on Monday closed 35th Avenue Northeast for approximately six months between 110th Street and 105th Street. Traffic is being detoured to nearby Lake City Way via Northeast 110th Street and Northeast 95th Street.
Project manager Jason Sharpley tells KIRO Radio along with reducing flood damage to nearby Nathan Hale High School and homes in the area, the project will significantly help salmon spawn in the creek.
“Overall, this project will help restore water quality, improve fish and wildlife habitat, reduce local flooding, and prepare for other flood reduction projects in the future,” Sharpley says.
