M
Exhibi- ._...._x__
. .. f 
PortCommisslon Zeguuw
' Meetingof_M.e:;
I0.L0\\
15TH AVENUE w. TRANSPORTATION COALITI '" 

MERCER WEST PROJECT

Recommendations for W Mercer Place and Vicinity

1.  Extend the southbound dual-left-turn lane on Elliott Avenue W at W Mercer Place as
soon as possible and no later than by the end of 2011.

2.  Widen Mercer Street between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N (under Aurora
Avenue) to provide three through lanes in each direction plus auxiliary turn lanes.
We believe that this is the highest priority need for the corridor.

3.  Convert both directions of the Business Access Transit (BAT) lanes on Elliott Avenue
W south of W Mercer Place back to general-purpose traffic. Northbound, most
buses do not use this section of Elliott Avenue W, and allowing general-purpose
traffic in these lanes during peak hours would allow more signal time to be allocated
to the southbound left turn movement to W Mercer Place. Southbound, the Rapid
Ride and other buses cut over to use W Mercer Place, while others cut over at
Harrison to continue to Denny, as well as increased morning rush hour traffic
(particularly taxis) due to the cruise ship operations at Terminal 91. Often there are
bicycles impeding both directions of the BAT lanes, requiring buses to merge into
the general purpose lanes, which do not improve transit times.

4.  Do not allow in-lane bus stops on Mercer Street in sections where there is only a
single through lane.

5.  Do not undertake any construction on W Mercer Place until after the completion of
all Deep Bore tunnel and waterfront projects.

6.  Review the operation of each new element of the Mercer corridor after their
completion to determine if any adjustments are necessary.

7.  Review the entire operations of the Mercer Corridor, 15th Ave/Elliott
Avenue/Western Avenue Corridor and Nickerson after the completion of all Deep
Bore tunnel and waterfront projects and report the findings to all stakeholders.

8.  Funding for the Mercer West project remains uncertain. There is no assurance that
funding will be found to implement this important link in a successful Viaduct
Replacement Program. Timely funding of this project is essential so that all the W
Mercer improvements are in place to ease access to the Bored Tunnel and l-S once
the Viaduct is removed and while the new Alaska Way is being constructed.