UW News

November 2, 2006

Expect traffic delays on 45th Street, Montlake

Members of the UW community should expect some delays along NE 45th Street as workers begin constructing concrete bus pads. And portions of Montlake Boulevard will be closed this weekend for tree pruning.


The 45th Street contractor has been working west of I-5, but is ahead of schedule and expects to begin work in the U District as early as this week.


The work will include the construction of concrete bus pads in the following locations on NE 45th:



  • Between University Way NE and Brooklyn Avenue NE (south side)
  • Between Roosevelt Way NE and 9th Avenue NE (north side)
  • Between University Way NE and Brooklyn Avenue NE (north side)


Work will begin on the south side of NE 45th between University Way NE and Brooklyn Avenue NE. One lane of traffic must be closed for four full days for each bus pad. Uniformed police officers will direct traffic at the adjacent intersections during the peak periods. No two bus pads will be constructed simultaneously; parking may be prohibited at times when necessary to complete the work. Some work may occur on weekends.


Meanwhile, the poplar and maple trees growing on the west side of Montlake Boulevard are a valuable part of the urban forest, but they also need regular maintenance. The UW Grounds Maintenance department has hired a contractor to prune these trees. They will remove low branches to provide clearance for trucks and dead or diseased branches to prevent them from falling in the roadway. They will also remove a few small trees that have sown themselves at the edge of the sidewalk and are growing horizontally over the road.


The work will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will necessitate the closure of the right lane of traffic between the middle pedestrian bridge from the Burke-Gilman trail to E1 parking lot and the bridge to the Hec Ed pavilion.