West Seattle Projects

West Seattle Projects KC Wastewater Facilities in West Seattle 53rd Avenue Pump Station Upgrade What to expect during construction

24-hr construction hotline: 206-205-5656 Sign me up for construction updates.

What's New Construction Update, Aug. 2008 (.PDF file) Upcoming Work: Sheet pile driving – Mid August Because the pump station is located and being expanded underground, steel sheet piling will be installed to stabilize the site for excavation. Pile Contractors, Inc. is currently scheduled to be on site mobilizing equipment beginning August 6 and work is scheduled to begin during the week of August 11 and last approximately five weeks. Work hours will be Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Approximately 120 shoring sheets will be installed which are 20 inches wide by 35 feet long. A crane will be used to pick up the sheets and a vibratory driver will be used to vibrate them into the ground. After installation, the sheet piling will be left in place and additional excavation will occur. Residents in the area can expect to see large construction equipment on site, such as a 200-ton crane and a large power unit, and should expect to hear additional noise. Residents may feel some vibrations during this work and may want to pack up breakable valuables as a precaution. King County’s contractor will closely monitor vibration levels to minimize disruption and protect against property damage. View entire construction update (.PDF file). View past updates and news releases.

The 53rd Avenue Pump Station will remain underground but will be about three times as large. King County designers worked with neighbors and property owners to help plan the above-ground structures required for the upgraded facility. Air circulation vents, a generator stack, a fire hose hook up and a backflow preventer will be the only above ground features.

During work hours, flaggers are on site and will help traffic through the construction zone.

53rd Avenue Pump Station Upgrade

King County protects public health and the environment by conveying and treating the region’s wastewater. Many of King County’s wastewater facilities are more than 40 years old and do not meet current design standards. To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the 53rd Avenue Pump Station, King County must upgrade it starting in 2008.

The pump station is located at 53rd Ave. SW and Alki Blvd. It is an underground facility located under the pedestrian and bike way. The renovated pump station will pump 17 million gallons of wastewater per day to the county’s regional treatment plant at West Point in Seattle.

Proposed work

Major changes to pump station include:

• Expanded pump station vault to the west 70 feet
• New pumps and associated mechanical equipment
• New odor control equipment
• Standby generator
• All new electrical and control system

Schedule

Construction on the 53rd Avenue Pump Station upgrade is expected to take about 20 months with completion in summer 2009

How work will occur

Work at the pump station will be completed in an open excavation about 18 feet deep. The site will be secured with chain link fencing. Crews will conduct most activities in the excavation but some tasks will also occur above ground inside the fence.

Work Schedule and Activities

During work at the pump station, soils will be removed and materials will be delivered by truck. Flaggers will direct traffic around short-term loading and unloading of trucks. More about what to expect during construction.

Being a good neighbor during construction

King County is committed to being a good neighbor during construction and working with neighbors to minimize impacts. Throughout our work, our community relations team will provide the local community with:

• Advance notice of construction activities
• One-on-one meetings with neighbors to discuss activities and concerns
• Community briefings
• Project Web site, construction newsletters and updates

More Information

• If your organization or association would like a briefing about upcoming construction, you have questions or would like to be added to our mailing lists, please contact Martha Tuttle at 206-684-1207 or martha.tuttle@kingcounty.gov.
• You can also call the 24-hour construction hotline at 206-205-5656.
• See library page for project updates and recent open house handouts.

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Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Wastewater Treatment Division
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 505
Seattle, WA 98104-3855
Phone: 206-684-1280
Fax: 206-684-1741
Telecommunication device for the deaf (TTY): 711

Updated: Aug. 11, 2008

Related Information:
Construction projects

Regional Wastewater Services Plan

Conveyance System Improvement Program

Local Sewer Agencies