At a public meeting June 30th, Seattle City Light (SCL) representatives spoke with a few local landowners and property managers on work scheduled to repair the electrical towers on either side of the Lake Union Ship Canal. The North Tower stands just east of the terminus of Phinney Avenue North at North 34th Street, with the South Tower across the canal.
The tops of the towers need to be strengthened, to support the high-tension lines. SCL has scheduled the work to be done mid-July through the end of September, with the North Tower being rebuilt first.
This will require closure of some parking spaces in the Canal Place Office Park and Sound Mind & Body, as well as some street parking along North 34th Street. The SCL representatives promised to do their best to keep traffic access open along North 34th Street, and it will not interfere with the Fremont Sunday Market. Also, of great concern to community members present, no power outages are planned during the rebuilds.
However, during work hours (10 hour days, Monday – Saturday) detours will be in effect along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Trail users will be asked to detour at Stone Way and the Dinosaur topiaries (Phinney Avenue). This will be for the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.
For more information, contact Mark VanOss at Seattle City Light Communications and Public Affairs, at 206/684-3279 or mark.vanoss@seattle.gov Information will also be posted at www.seattle.gov