King County Road Services - Renton Avenue South Construction Project

King County and City of Renton partner to improve walkability on Renton Avenue South

King County and the City of Renton are partnering to improve Renton Avenue South between 75th Ave. S. and 76th Ave. S. in the West Hill area. The project will add sidewalks, bicycle safety improvements, and drainage along the east side of Renton Avenue South. It may include bus stop improvements and a gateway at the intersection of Renton Ave. S. and 76th Ave. S. (see map).

The improvements will help connect residents with local businesses, the transit system, and critical neighborhood and regional service agencies like the Skyway Library, Youth and Family Service Center, and the Skyway Food Bank.

>> Read the related news release.

Why this project is being done

The community identified these improvements in 2002 as a way to revitalize the Renton Avenue South corridor with a “boulevard feel” that welcomes pedestrians and cyclists and encourages shoppers to visit local businesses.

The county has secured grant funds from its Department of Housing and Community Development, and the City of Renton has a grant from the state Department of Commerce. Together, the two grants will pay for this phase of the project. The community vision also included additional work, including sidewalk improvements on the west side of the street and curbside plantings, that are not yet funded or scheduled.

Tradeoffs

These improvements will support economic development and infrastructure investment in the area and provide more ways to access businesses and social service organizations along the corridor. However, the number of parking spaces in the public right of way may have to be reduced. The county is working with affected businesses to identify ways to lessen any adverse effects of this change.

Schedule

The design phase is complete, and the project will go to bid as soon as the county reaches agreement with the King County Library System concerning work near the site of the new Skyway Library branch at the project’s southern end. Construction is expected to be completed sometime this summer.

Contact information

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact:

DeAnna Martin, Community Relations Planner
King County Department of Transportation
206-684-1142

To request this document in an alternative format, please call 206-684-1142 (TTY Relay: 711)

Project partnership

This project is a partnership between the King County Road Services Division and the City of Renton.

Information from the Road Services Division's website is available to people with disabilities in alternate formats upon request by calling 206-263-6482 or 711 for the TTY relay service.

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