The City of Snoqualmie says its Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project is in full swing and making good progress, according to a recent press release.
But when will all the construction be done? That seems to be the question with many residents, business owners and drivers. Answer? The project, which began in June 2014, is now expected to be complete in early summer 2015, taking slightly longer than the initial estimate of May 2015.
Drivers should still be prepared for intermittent one-lane traffic through the downtown area, Monday through Friday from 7AM to 5PM, until the remodel work is complete. That means motorists may continue to experience some delays. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.
Use Millpond Road to get Around Backups
Millpond Road is great (and scenic) route to avoid downtown Snoqualmie traffic backups. If you’re coming down Snoqualmie Parkway toward downtown, take a left on Railroad Ave/SR 202 instead of that normal right turn toward downtown. Then take a right onto Millpond immediately after the bridge near Snoqualmie Falls. Millpond Road will bring you to the Meadowbrook Way bridge near Mount Si High School. Backup bypassed.
The following is an approximate timeline for remaining Downtown Snoqualmie Infrastructure Improvement project work. The City of Snoqualmie does warn that this schedule could change.
- April: Continue underground infrastructure work, including undergrounding of utility lines (power, phone, and cable); continue installation of sidewalks between SE King St. and SE Fir St.; continue installation of boardwalk between SE King St. and SE River St. along the train tracks.
- May: Restore parallel parking between SE King St. and SE River St.; continue installation of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters; begin installation of new street lighting, landscaping, and street trees; continue installation of boardwalk.
- June: Repaving of Railroad Ave. SE between SE River St. and SE Fir St.; install road signs; continue landscaping.
- July: Continue landscaping and irrigation; installation of street furniture; other project work continues toward completion.
Parking
- Currently parking is available in the King Street lot, the parking lot at the Snoqualmie United Methodist Church, and along Falls Ave SE. Some businesses along Railroad Ave. SE have back entrances. All parking is within one block of each downtown business. On the weekends, limited parking is also available along the train tracks.
- Beginning in May parallel parking will be restored downtown. The parking along the train tracks will close for continuing installation of the boardwalk and all other neighborhood parking will be open as usual.
This has been a long process and the City of Snoqualmie says it “truly appreciates the patience of the downtown businesses and residents.”
Below are sketches of what Historic Snoqualmie will look like when the project is complete in the coming months.
Comments
What is with the angled parking slots opposite of the traffic flow? That is just a disaster waiting to happen. Who on earth designed that?
I agree, regarding the angled parking spots. They have been described as “back in only” spots, which I don’t understand. Seems counter-intuitive…
I am not sure there is a great answer for these angled spots. If they are head-in spots, then it’s easier to pull in, but as I’ve experienced, it’s often very difficult to back out and leave…. hard to see and usually you end up waiting for someone to be kind and wait while you back out into traffic and head on your way. This [new] way you will be stopping traffic when you back-in park – assuming by signaling like you would to parallel park. On the flip side, when you pull out out of the spot, you can clearly see and leave much faster.
All I ever see is workers standing around! At this rate it will never be finished. Ridiculous!!!