The City of SeaTac marked a significant achievement with the completion of Phase 1 of the Complete Street and Safe Routes to School Project on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Gov. Jay Inslee and local officials.

The first phase, along 34th Ave South from South 160th to South 166th Street, includes new sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian lighting, and upgraded stormwater and water main systems. These improvements aim to make the city safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

“Every day we can give our children a safe route to school is a good day in Washington State,” Gov. Inslee said. “This project is a symbol of how much we care for our children.”

The goal is a network of safe walking routes for residents to get around the city. The work was funded through competitive grant funding. In his remarks today, the Governor made a point to mention that some of the funding came through the Climate Commitment Act.

The $4.4 million project was funded by $2 million from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and a $2.4 million federal grant through the Safe Routes to School Program.

This public works installation falls under the “Complete Street and Safe Routes to School Project,” and the event marked the completion of Phase 1 and the start of Phase 2. Phase 1 was completed under budget,  began in January, 2022 and was completed this summer.

Construction for Phase 2 will start in 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in 2029. It will extend curb, gutter and sidewalk and pedestrian-level lighting to South 176thStreet and connect to the LINK light rail station at SEA Airport.

Speakers included:

  • Gov. Jay Inslee
  • SeaTac Mayor, Mohamed Egal
  • SeaTac Public Works Director, Will Appleton
  • Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Executive Director, Ashley Probart
  • WSDOT Active Transportation Division Director, Barb Chamberlain

Also in attendance were City Councilmembers Peter Kwon, Senayet Negusse, and Joe Vinson; City of SeaTac Interim City Manager Kyle Moore; and City of SeaTac Public Works staff.