SE 34th Street Safety & Mobility Project
The SE 34th Street Safety and Mobility Project evaluated potential roadway design changes to improve safety and mobility on SE 34th Street between SE 162nd and SE 192nd Avenues. The project will repurpose a travel lane in each direction to add dedicated space for people walking, biking, and using mobility-devices, and other safety improvements for all users, including drivers.
Where are we now?
We are currently in the Design Phase. The project team is working to develop the recommended design option into complete engineering plans to be constructed in coordination with the planned pavement work in 2024 and 2025.
Background
The Project began in Summer 2021 and the planning phase concluded in Fall 2023. The planning work included coordination with the Vancouver Innovation Center (VIC) regarding future connections between the VIC and SE 34th Street active transportation in addition to the expected traffic flow and growth with the development.
Three corridor specific goals were identified and used to align potential changes with the City’s Complete Streets policy:
- Improve comfort and mobility for all users
- Prioritize safety for all users
- Facilitate near term implementation
Community Engagement
There were three engagement touchpoints throughout the project, including opportunities for community members to share safety concerns and current use of the corridor, participate in focus groups and learn about the project and provide feedback at community events.
Design
The final design recommendation will provide one vehicle travel lane and a mobility lane with a buffer separating the two lanes in each direction. The design will also include a pedestrian crossing with a HAWK signal at the intersection of SE 162nd Avenue and Cascade Park Drive. The design also includes an off-street path between SE 162nd Avenue and SE 164th Avenue, connecting to on-street mobility lanes between SE 164th and 192nd Avenues.
Construction
Construction is expected to occur in coordination with the planned pavement preservation work in 2024 and 2025.
Evaluation
All Complete Streets projects have an embedded post project evaluation to determine how the added safety and mobility elements function, and to recommend refinements and changes if needed. This is the final stage of Complete Streets projects and occurs in the year following the project’s construction. After the evaluation is complete, road is monitored for safety or other issues in the same manner as all city streets.
