Eighth Avenue South in Des Moines between South 223rd Street and Kent-Des Moines Road will be reconfigured in mid-September for northbound one-way traffic only.
In the meantime, crews are relocating mailboxes, installing signs and painting white edge lines, according to Brandon Carver, associate city transportation engineer.
Council members approved the traffic revision for a one-year trial on a 5-1 vote last month. Councilman Dan Sherman voted no, while Councilman Scott Thomasson was absent.
Lawmakers later rejected a bid to reconsider their action.
The decision to close Eighth Avenue South to southbound traffic followed a lengthy council discussion on ways to reduce traffic volumes, which are heavier there than on a typical local street, and improve sight distances.
Safety concerns had been raised earlier by neighborhood residents about vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, sight distances for motorists when entering the corridor from side streets, non-standard lane widths, and no dedicated pedestrian walkway.
Mayor Bob Sheckler said reducing traffic to one-way only should benefit residents who live along Eighth Avenue, making this route more like a local road.
In addition, Councilman Dave Kaplan noted the revision will give direction from the city to developers who are planning to build between Marine View Drive and Eighth Avenue South.
The primary cost at this time will be limited to one-way signs and painted street markings. No sidewalk will be built there unless the council makes this revision permanent after the one-year trial.
City staff had recommended the one-way option as the most cost-effective, short-term solution to safety concerns.
Other alternatives considered included:
Expanding the right-of-way, which would have required property acquisitions and, therefore, was determined to be too costly. But, said Kaplan, "I don't see us widening the street anytime soon ... (and) this is a safety concern.
Making no changes to the street at this time, which would have done nothing to improve safety or reduce traffic volumes.
Traffic calming, which could have included speed bumps or additional stop signs.
Limiting traffic to one-way southbound.
Carver can be contacted for more information at 206-870-6543 or bcarver@desmoineswa.gov.
