A-002-001
Thank you for the clarification. The use of the two titles has been
corrected in the Final EIS. Figures in the Final EIS have been updated to
show the general footprint of the future Colman Dock facility using your
30 percent design plan.
A-002-002
The sentence has been updated in the Final EIS Executive Summary to
reflect that the 2009 decision was made by WSDOT, King County, and
the City.
A-002-003
The Lenora Street Pedestrian Bridge has been added to the Preferred
Alternative description in the Final EIS.
A-002-004
Signalized pedestrian crossings would be provided at all intersections
across Alaskan Way. At the Alaskan Way and Yesler Way intersection, a
marked crosswalk would only be located on the north side of the
intersection due to the double turning lanes on the south leg of the
intersection at the entrance and exit of Colman Dock.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-005
This section has been updated in the Final EIS to state that the Marion
Street pedestrian bridge will be removed during viaduct demolition and
then replaced.
A-002-006
This section has been updated in the Final EIS to mention general
vehicle, taxi, and ADA drop-offs and pick-ups at Colman Dock. Section
2.4.2 of the Draft EIS notes that loading lanes to facilitate passenger
drop-offs and pick-ups would be located on both sides of Alaskan Way
between Columbia Street and Marion Street.
A-002-007
The primary focus of Figure 2-14 was to show the roadway crosssection; the color of the Lenora Street Bridge was not intended to
suggest that it was not part of the project. The bridge is now black in the
updated figure.
A-002-008
The City has included the at-grade crosswalk on the north side of Marion
Street across Alaskan Way in the Preferred Alternative to serve people
traveling between the Promenade and Western Avenue. The City is
open to working with WSDOT to evaluate how this signal can be
managed to provide efficient operations for vehicles accessing and
exiting Colman Dock, vehicles traveling along Alaskan Way, pedestrians,
and bicyclists.
A-002-009
To help facilitate passenger drop-offs and pick-ups, five loading zone
spaces would be located on the west side of Alaskan Way between
Columbia and Marion streets and two loading zone spaces would be
located on the east side of Alaskan Way between Marion and Madison
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
streets. Between Columbia and Spring streets, 17 on-street parking
spaces would be located on Alaskan Way. The design plans also include
five taxi zone spaces on the west side of Alaskan Way between Marion
and Madison streets and taxi staging located on Madison Street that
could feed the taxi zone spaces on Alaskan Way.
A-002-010
This sentence has been revised in the Final EIS to mention all three
movements.
A-002-011
This sentence has been revised in the Final EIS to state that access
would be maintained but could be relocated to the western face of the
garage.
A-002-012
This sentence has been revised in the Final EIS to state that
modifications to a portion of the BNSF retaining wall are anticipated. The
modification to the retaining wall would not impact BNSF operations.
A-002-013
The term bow-tie has been deleted and the paragraph has been revised
for clarity.
A-002-014
Chapter 2 of the Supplemental Draft EIS and Section 2.1.1 of the Final
EIS have been revised to reflect the fact that planning to replace the
viaduct was initiated prior to 2001.
A-002-015
Information from the Draft EIS Appendix M is no longer in a separate
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
appendix, it has been incorporated in Chapter 2 of the Supplemental
Draft EIS and Section 2.1.1 of the Final EIS. The specific sentence
referenced in this comment was not incorporated into the updated
Section 2.1.1 of the Final EIS.
A-002-016
This statement was an error and has been deleted from the Final EIS.
A-002-017
Additional information about concepts considered during the alternatives
development process has been included in Chapter 2 of the
Supplemental Draft EIS.
A-002-018
Additional construction information that is known for the Preferred
Alternative has been included in the Final EIS, including the general
quantities currently estimated for earthwork.
Between Union Street and Bell Street earthwork needed to construct
Elliott Way, the Pine Street extension, and the Overlook Walk would
require approximately 12,000 to 15,000 cubic yards of soil to be removed
and 40,000 to 45,000 cubic yards of fill to be placed. Not included in the
above quantities is the small amount of soil anticipated to be removed
south of Union Street for signal foundations and light poles. Details about
earthwork and concrete work will continue to be developed during final
design with the contractor.
A-002-019
The potential use of Pier 48 for AWPOW construction activities would
only occur if WSDOT and WSF approved, and would require close
coordination as noted in the comment. The statement about the potential
use of Pier 48 during construction has been updated and kept in the
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
body of the text but is not included as a note on the figures, as this level
of detail was not used for other staging areas.
A-002-020
The Final EIS and the corresponding section of Appendix A,
Transportation Discipline Report, have been updated to note that traffic
signals would be provided at intersections on Alaskan Way where
appropriate during construction. During construction, the City may
incorporate parking into areas along Alaskan Way not actively under
construction. Prior to construction, the City would specify the location
and amount of temporary parking that could be put in place, recommend
practices for managing temporary parking, and identify strategies for
making provision of temporary parking convenient and accessible for
waterfront businesses and their patrons.
A-002-021
Viaduct demolition and AWPOW construction will occur within the same
footprint on Columbia Street. As such, close coordination and schedules
will be necessary to ensure construction efficiencies for both projects.
AWPOW’s creation of an interim transit pathway on Columbia Street
would occur only after the Columbia Street ramp demolition is
completed.
A-002-022
Please see the response to comment A-002-019. The City recognizes
that WSF plans to use Pier 48 during construction activities on Colman
Dock. The City will coordinate with WSDOT if it decides to pursue the
possibility of using the upland portion of Pier 48 for AWPOW
construction staging.
A-002-023
Please see the response to A-002-019.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-024
Impact pile driving is not currently anticipated. However, if unpredictable
soil conditions are encountered, impact pile driving may be considered to
address a specific circumstance. The description of construction
activities in the Final EIS has been updated to include this possibility.
A-002-025
The City is currently planning to perform early utility relocations prior to
the start of other construction activities.
A-002-026
The sentence has been revised for clarity. In general, two lanes in each
direction will be open on Alaskan Way during peak periods while Elliott
Way is under construction. Once Elliott Way is completed, two lanes will
generally be open in each direction during peak periods on Alaskan
Way/Elliott Way during the remainder of AWPOW construction. During
off-peak hours, one or more lanes may be closed to facilitate
construction activities.
A-002-027
New text regarding the temporary Alaskan Way closure has been added
to Final EIS Section 3.3.2, Traffic Operations, and Transportation
Discipline Report Section 6.2.2. Construction mitigation measures are
provided in Section 3.3.3, and include the development of a Traffic
Control Plan that would include clearly marked detours to provide
alternative routes for access to the waterfront and to avoid active
construction areas.
A-002-028
New text has been added to Section 3.3.3 of the Final EIS to address
this comment.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-029
The City understands the importance of Ballast Island as a cultural and
archaeological resource. City staff are coordinating with DAHP and
concerned tribes to develop an archaeological monitoring plan and
strategy for avoiding impacts to Ballast Island. We appreciate WSDOT
staff sharing their knowledge on this site.
A-002-030
Figure 3-2 in the Final EIS, as well as Figure 5-3 in the Transportation
Discipline Report, have been corrected to show a volume of 10
southbound left-turn transit trips instead of zero.
A-002-031
The LOS color scheme has been revised in Figures 3-3 and 3-6 in the
Final EIS and Figures 5-4 and 7-3 in the Transportation Discipline
Report.
A-002-032
The pedestrian volumes provided on page 3-10 of the Draft EIS were
obtained from a 2012 City of Seattle technical memorandum entitled
“Piers 54-59 Vehicle and Pedestrian Data.” Data for the technical
memorandum was collected at Piers 54, 55, 56, 57 and 59, and did not
include the area between Madison Street and Yesler Way. The City does
not have any recent pedestrian counts for this area.
A-002-033
Additional text has been added to Final EIS Section 3.2.8, as well as
Section 5.2.8.1 in the Transportation Discipline Report, regarding
pedestrian volumes and annual ferry ridership. Bicycle volumes were not
included in intersection crosswalk volumes, because it was assumed that
a majority of bicycle riders would use the cycle track or the Promenade.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-034
Figure 3-5 in the Draft EIS shows the anticipated 2030 lane configuration
and PM peak hour traffic volumes for the No Action Alternative.
A-002-035
The 2030 No Action Alternative volumes were obtained from EBSP. The
2030 Action Alternative (Draft EIS) volumes incorporated additional data
on ferry forecasts. The Final EIS and Transportation Discipline Report
have been updated so that the vehicle volumes exiting Colman Dock
under the Preferred Alternative are more reflective of 2017 existing
conditions and 2030 No Action Alternative volumes.
The southbound right turn at Yesler Way is assumed to be for WSF staff
accessing Colman Dock. All ferry-bound traffic would enter from the
south (northbound left turn at Yesler Way). The lane colors in Figure 3-8
have been revised as requested.
A-002-036
The proposed configurations of the two access points to Colman Dock,
Yesler Way and Marion Street, take into account that freight, emergency,
and maintenance vehicles will need to enter and exit the ferry facility.
The Yesler Way access is designed to state route standards because
the southern leg of Alaskan Way at that intersection is designated as SR
519. That intersection is designed for both a WB-50 and an SU-30
vehicle to simultaneously enter from, and exit to, the south without
crossing into oncoming traffic. The intersection also accommodates a
single WB-67 turning maneuver from and to the south without the vehicle
crossing into oncoming traffic. The Marion Street intersection is designed
to city standards because both Marion Street and Alaskan Way are city
streets at that location. That intersection is designed for two SU-30
vehicles to exit side by side, allowing one to turn to the north and the
other to turn to the south. The intersection also accommodates a single
exiting WB-62 vehicle turning either to the north or the south.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-037
The City has included the at-grade crosswalk on the north side of Marion
Street across Alaskan Way in the Preferred Alternative to serve people
traveling between the Promenade and Western Avenue. The City is
open to working with WSDOT to evaluate how this signal can be
managed to provide efficient operations for vehicles accessing and
exiting Colman Dock, vehicles traveling along Alaskan Way, pedestrians
and bicyclists.
A-002-038
New text that addresses this comment has been added to the Final EIS,
Section 3.4.2, Pedestrian Facilities section.
A-002-039
The City recognizes that loading zone spaces are important in the
Colman Dock area. As shown in Table 3-8 on page 3-35 of the Draft EIS,
there are six existing loading zone spaces on Alaskan Way in Zone 2,
where Colman Dock is located. As shown in Table 3-13 of the Draft EIS,
under the Action Alternative, Zone 2 would gain one loading zone space
for a total of seven. As you know, there is limited space to accommodate
loading zones, taxi zone spaces, parking spaces, and transit stops
between the existing driveways and intersections. Vehicles would
continue to be able to drop off and pick up people traveling to and from
Colman Dock. Walk-on passengers would also continue to be able to
access Colman Dock by walking, bicycling, or taking transit.
A-002-040
Pedestrian volumes crossing Alaskan Way on the north side of Marion
Street and vehicle volumes exiting Colman Dock and turning left on
Alaskan Way were included in the traffic operations analysis. As shown
in Table 7-1 of the Final EIS, the intersection would operate at LOS C
with the Preferred Alternative. Pedestrian volumes are expected to be
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
low at this crossing and therefore would have only a minor impact on
ferry traffic. These relatively low pedestrian volumes are based on the
assumption that the majority of pedestrian traffic from the ferry will use
the Marion Street pedestrian bridge over Alaskan Way on the south side
of the intersection. Also, the number of pedestrians who are accessing
the waterfront for reasons other than ferry travel is low at Marion Street
because it is in the middle of the ferry terminal’s street frontage. It was
assumed that crossings north and south of the ferry terminal would have
higher pedestrian volumes.
A-002-041
New text has been added detailing the WSDOT off-street parking
subsidies to the Final EIS, Section 3.7.2, Operational Impacts of the
Preferred Alternative section and to the Parking Discipline Report,
Section 7.2.1, Operational Impacts of the Preferred Alternative section.
A-002-042
Colman Dock and the Colman Dock Transit Hub are located in parking
Zone 2, shown in the Final EIS Figure 3-9. All of the 104 parking spaces
lost in Zone 2 under the Preferred Alternative would occur within the
Viaduct footprint (Final EIS Table 3-12). On Alaskan Way, 4 parking
spaces would be added under the Preferred Alternative for a total of 17
parking spaces on Alaskan Way in Zone 2.
While the loss of on-street parking near Colman Dock may contribute to
a reduced capacity for drop-off and pick-up functions for transit riders
within the Colman Dock Transit Hub, Zone 2 would gain one loading
zone space under the Preferred Alternative to have a total of seven
loading zone spaces (Final EIS Table 3-13). Five loading zone spaces
would be located on the west side of Alaskan Way between Columbia
and Marion streets and two loading zone spaces would be located on the
east side of Alaskan Way between Marion and Madison streets. The
loading zones would help to facilitate passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
The design plans also include five taxi zone spaces on the west side of
Alaskan Way between Marion and Madison streets and taxi staging
located on Madison Street that could feed the taxi zone spaces on
Alaskan Way.
A-002-043
Specific estimates of the number of future waterfront visitors shifting from
motorized to transit and nonmotorized modes are not available.
However, according to Commute Seattle, between the years 2012 and
2014, the number of downtown commuters who drove alone declined by
8 percent, while those who took transit and non-motorized modes
increased by 5 percent and 7 percent, respectively. These trends are
expected to continue or increase as improvements to the City’s bicycle,
pedestrian, and transit facilities and services are implemented. Please
refer to Section 2.3.1 of the Final EIS for a detailed description of the
Preferred Alternative’s pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements and
the revised Final EIS Appendix A, Transportation Discipline Report. The
results of Commute Seattle’s 2014 Modesplit Survey can be found at:
http://commuteseattle.com/2014-modesplit-survey/. In addition, Sound
Transit has recently seen a large increase in light rail ridership with the
opening of the Capitol Hill and University of Washington stations and
increased frequency of service. A continued increase in transit ridership
is anticipated as their system expands.
A-002-044
The Final EIS and Parking Discipline Report have been revised to
discuss the MarketFront parking as part of the existing conditions and
not in the Operational Impacts and Mitigation section.
A-002-045
A sentence has been added to the Final EIS Executive Summary to
explain that utility relocations would be coordinated with the construction
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
activities occurring for Alaskan Way, the Promenade, and the Overlook
Walk.
A-002-046
Section 8.1.1 of the Final EIS has been revised to state that if a
catastrophic or major regional event were to occur, the Seattle Ferry
Terminal would serve as a regional transportation center.
A-002-047
The sentences that referred to WSF’s operations center have been
deleted. Any impacts to communications links will be coordinated with
WSF in advance.
A-002-048
The sentence has been revised to indicate that the steam line will remain
on Marion Street.
A-002-049
Emergency vehicles, such as the Fire Department’s ladder trucks, would
be able to make U-turns at most intersections. A planted median would
prevent vehicles from making U-turns at S. Main, S. Washington, and
Blanchard streets, so emergency vehicles may have to travel one block
further north or south past these intersections to make a U-turn. This text
has been clarified in Chapter 3 and 8 of the Final EIS.
A-002-050
The water main relocation is being completed as part of the EBSP.
A-002-051
As discussed in the Water Quality Discipline Report, stormwater runoff
draining to the combined sewer sometimes overwhelms pipe capacities
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
during periods of heavy rainfall and exacerbates the possibility of an
untreated stormwater-sewage discharge (combined sewer overflow or
CSO) into Elliott Bay. The City of Seattle has entered into a Consent
Decree with EPA and Ecology regarding CSOs, and has developed a
Long-Term Control Plan to support their minimization. AWPOW would
change drainage patterns to divert a portion of the stormwater runoff
area from the combined sewer system to the separated storm drain
system, which would potentially provide a benefit to water quality.
A-002-052
As suggested, staging areas have been added to Section 3.5.1 in the
Water Quality Discipline Report Final EIS Errata Sheet.
A-002-053
In accordance with Seattle Stormwater Code Section 22.805.090(B)(2),
basic treatment is required for runoff from all projects within the City of
Seattle. The Seattle Stormwater Code Section 22.805.090(B)(5) requires
enhanced treatment for discharges to certain fresh waters; however,
Elliott Bay is a marine water, so this requirement does not apply.
A-002-054
The City will coordinate with WSDOT if use of Pier 48 for construction is
needed and approved.
A-002-055
Table 5-3 has been revised in the Final EIS. The statement in the
summary table is intended to convey that the roadway (surface and
vehicles) detracts from the visual quality of the waterfront as a whole.
However, as noted in the comment, this has been the case for many
decades.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016
A-002-056
During development of the Draft EIS, some of the projects discussed in
the Cumulative Impacts chapter have evolved. The Final EIS includes
updates to the project timeline for the Center City Connector.
A-002-057
Table 15-1 has been updated and the I-90 Tolling Project has been
removed. The City followed FHWA/WSDOT guidance for identifying
reasonably foreseeable actions to be evaluated in the cumulative
impacts analysis, which is why the list does not include the likelihood of
each action occurring and why the projects are all analyzed equally.
A-002-058
The sentence referring to the Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman
Dock Project in Section 15.3.4 has been deleted.
A-002-059
The Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project is not in the list
of projects that may change runoff volumes to the combined sewer
system. It was kept in the list of projects that may change PGIS.
Alaskan Way, Promenade, and Overlook Walk Final EIS
Appendix D - Draft EIS Comments and Responses
October 2016