Aurora Project Street Closure- N 185th

Message from City of Shoreline - Monday Street Closure
N 185th between Aurora and Midvale

Beginning Monday August 23^rd, N 185^th Street will be partially closed during the day and completely closed at night between Aurora Avenue N and Midvale Avenue N.  We anticipate re-opening the street late on Friday August 27^th.  Please see the attached flyer for detailed information.

We are closing this segment of N 185^th because we are raising the road by several feet and there is a significant amount of utility and fill/grading work that must happen.  We have coordinated with emergency response and METRO.  We have notified surrounding businesses/neighbors.  The City Manager’s office has put the information on our website, TV channel,Facebook and has sent the information to our neighborhood contacts.

Thank you,

Kris

Kris Overleese, PE

206.801.2482

koverleese@shorelinewa.gov

17544 Midvale Avenue N

Shoreline, WA  98133-4921

Silva Cells - How Shoreline Is Using Them to Make Aurora Truly "Green"

Photo credit-City of Shoreline

Recent Installation of Silva Cell Sub-structure. 

These "cells" provide "breathing room for street trees

Photo shows site on

N 175th next to Grease Monkey and Jerseys Grill

(businesses here and on Aurora ARE OPEN during construction!)

photo credit- Janet Way

Mark Relph - Shoreline Public Works Director

Mark Relph, Shoreline's Director of Public Works stood next to the recent installation site of Silva Cells and made this statement about the Silva Cell technology and Shoreline's Capital Improvements on the Aurora Project:

it is an important goal of the City to maximize the opportunities for improving water quality from street runoff and to improve our tree canopy within the City. The “silva cell” concept is a unique opportunity to do both; water moves through the system, absorbed and filtered by the trees and media, less discharge to traditional piped systems, plus allows a more suitable space for trees roots to expand and grow. The result is higher water quality, less runoff downstream of the improvements and a healthier, larger tree canopy.

Shoreline's Aurora Project Phase II is the largest ever usage of Silva Cell technology in WA State.  Silva Cells provide a new concept in street tree installation. http://www.deeproot.com/products/silva-cell/map.html  


The structures provide adequate space for street trees to grow and thrive, and the associated "permeable" sidewalks above the cells allow rain to penetrate into the root structure of the trees. This prevents the usual "buckling" of sidewalks. which often leads to destruction of the trees when sidewalks need to be replaced.

Photo shows Silva Cell section after it's filled with gravel

N 175th Silva Cell and Sidewalk installation process 

just down the street from Shoreline's City Hall

photo credit-Janet Way

Construction Worker sorts Silva Cell pieces for eventual installation

photo credit-Janet Way

An article from Popular Mechanics features Silva Cells and a video of how they function.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/4318338

The roots of trees can push sidewalks out of position, and the gravel-heavy aggregate that supports traffic above them compacts soil, stifling root growth and limiting their ability to absorb storm-water runoff. DeepRoot's Silva Cell is an underground framework made of glass-reinforced polypropylene and packed with nutrient-rich soil. The technology allows roots to spread even if the tree is surrounded by asphalt, making the system a smart choice for a developer planning a city promenade or a homeowner planting shade for a garden patio. 


Another article from ArborAge Magazine
http://www.arborage.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=D3EF1E1AB3C44DB2915C84A84874E0D5

Business Access signs are included as Policy Goals as a part of the Aurora Project Phase II

photo shows trench being dug for installation of Silva Cells next to new City Hall

photo credit-Janet Way

Shoreline provided a diagram of how the street tree systems are planned in this location.

Siva Cell Street Tree Technology Plan

photo credit-Silva Cell

Installation of street trees in Silva Cell project in Minneapolis

Oil Use in America - Treehugger Post

Interesting article from Treehugger Blog today. It shows us how we utilize oil and potentially how we could reduce our use.  We have at least one local supplier of Solar Hotwater heaters in Shoreline -
Northwest Mechanical (located on NE 145th St.) has been a local supplier of Solar Technology since the 1970's. Solar Hot Water Heat is the most economical use of Solar Technology available.

Solar Hotwater Heater from NW Mechanical

It is also possible to get tax incentives from the Federal Government. There are obviously so many other places to reduce our energy use such as carpooling, bus, pedestrian or bike modes and easy things like
not buying throwaway plastics like water bottles.

Oiled Seabird 

Photo credit - 1 Sky Blog

All of these efforts can help us all reduce the liklihood of more horrendous oil spills and climate change impacts to our world (particulary in the Puget Sound!).  It is shocking and tragic to see the impacts of the Gulf oil spill on innocent wildlife.

What can you do today to reduce your oil use? Everyone can have an impact.

Shoreline's Aurora Ave.

Phase  II now underway which will provide BRT lanes, improved pedestrian/bike modes, and reduce stormwater runoff.

from -
TreeHugger Blog

Where Oil Goes in the US (Images)

by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York  on 06.14.10

BUSINESS & POLITICS 

Not all of the oil burned in the United States is used to power cars and trucks. The majority of it is, but not all -- there are myriad other uses as well, many of which fly under the radar. This may seem like obvious stuff, but it's worth reiterating -- especially considering that some of our nation's most senior legislators aren't aware of where our oil goes. So, here's a quick look at how our nation uses its oil:

This graph is taken from a great post by Craig Severance on what it would take to end our oil addiction over at Climate Progress, and though it uses raw data from 2000, the breakdown is believed to be the same today:

So while freight and passenger travel make up for the broad majority of oil consumption, there are obviously some areas rife for even easier remedy than transitioning to more efficient forms of transportation -- in the area of heat, especially. Switching from antiquated heating oil to natural gas heating or better yet, solar powered water heaters, could eliminate a full 15% of our dependence on oil. And Severance notes that 1% of the US's oil consumption is attributed to electricity generation, which could clearly be eliminated. Both seem like good places to start.
And obviously, huge gains stand to be made in the transportation sector -- this is broken down at CP as well:

Obviously, there's much being done to cut oil use in all of these categories, and we're fond of highlighting such work here on TH -- electric cars, high speed rail, biofuels; this is the stuff you see gracing our pages more often than not. But Severance points out that getting our freight rail lines -- high speed or otherwise -- back in action (much of our rail was torn up after trucking companies received subsidies that trains couldn't compete with) could eliminate the need for so much truck-based freight, and cut into that area of oil dependence as well.
Needless to say, there's a lot to think about, and plenty of areas where we could sever our oil dependence without throwing a wrench into the economy.
More on Oil Dependence
US Military: Massive Oil Shortages as Soon as 2015
The US Imports 1.5 Billion Barrels of Oil a Year from "Dangerous, Hostile Nations"
Sarah Palin's Energy Plan for the US : Oil , Oil , and More Oil"

Silva Cells - Aurora Phase II Is Top Project

Shoreline's Aurora Phase II Project is now the largest ever use in state of "Silva Cell" Deeproots System for tree planting. 

City of Shoreline Aurora Project Silva Cell Installation

The Silva Cell application allows a tree to achieve maximum root growth.

Photo credit - Google images

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stormh2o.com/editorial/issues/march-april-2010/reshaping-downtown-minneapolis/easset-upload-file180-64078-e.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stormh2o.com/march-april-2010/reshaping-minneapolis-project.aspx&usg=__29OgXYiphpI4PfM7f17FEcbcsIs=&h=360&w=270&sz=118&hl=en&start=19&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=LxaJxKmdI50t0M:&tbnh=121&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSilva%2BCells%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

 The concept is designed to allow the street trees to thrive and let their roots expand without disrupting sidewalks or pavement. Street trees traditionally have a difficult time because of the conflicts that will result with adjacent paved areas.  This technique allows the trees to grow naturally, because of the surrounding gravel beds and pervious sidewalks, which are supported by the "cells".  It also combines stormwater runoff infiltration technology and water quality benefits. 

The City of Shoreline is undertaking a huge remodel on the second phase of the Aurora Project with additional state of the art technologies to better address stormwater issues. The Shoreline City Council approved the "Hybrid Plan" Phase II project unanimously in 2007, and one of the major factors in arriving at a consensus was inclusion of this suite of Stormwater Control techniques. The Silva Cell Deeproot System is just one of many technologies being utilized including natural stormwater treatments such as pervious pavements and filtration concepts.  The business community worked with the City to achieve working solutions to connect the highway to local businesses. The project is supported by grant funding from the State and Federal governments.

Providing Street Trees and landscaping was one of the goals of the project along with BRT(Bus Rapid Transit), safety and improved pedestrian facilities. Silva Cells are a great way to achieve this goal and allow the trees to prosper. That way they will hopefully avoid the fate of other street trees in our community recently.

Photo credit - Vicki Westberg

Former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu, made a statement at a recent "Complete Streets" event hosted by Cascade Land Conservancy about the techniques Shoreline is deploying. 

In 2006, Shoreline  adopted a goal “to create an environmentally sustainable community” and in 2008 an award winning comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Strategy.  We have been incorporating elements of Complete Streets in our “environmental tool kit” for Capital Projects.   

What started out as a beautification and safety road project in the first mile of Aurora Avenue project was made even better for the 2nd and third miles of this State Highway because of our focus on environmental sustainability.

In addition to the great start of sidewalks for pedestrians, the completion of the adjacent Interurban trail for bikes,  and a dedicated Business Access Transit lane, it will be "complete" with natural drainage systems, pervious sidewalks and installation of Silva Cells to improve the quality of water being released into Lake Washington.  In fact, it is the largest project using the Silva Cell tree well technology in the State to give trees the room to grow to their potential.

From BuildingGreen.com site -

Silva Cell

DeepRoot Partners, LP

The Silva Cell system holds soil for tree growth and stormwater management in a structure strong enough to support paved surfaces. Growing trees in urban areas can reduce the heat island effect, replenishes oxygen, and connects us with the natural environment. Silva Cells support this by creating a space that holds ten cubic feet of soil, enough for tree roots and most utilities. With the proper drainage medium they can also manage stormwater runoff to reduce flooding and erosion. The 48” x 24” x 16” fiberglass and polypropylene cells have galvanized steel supports and, to provide additional space, can be stacked up to three cells high before the decking is attached. Silva Cell meets the American Association of State Highway and Transportation H-20 standards for highway loading, so it can be used under most paved surfaces, from parking lots to streetscapes. Though the company does not recommend these under roadways. For use with new trees only and may require root barrier.

What makes this product green:

• Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
• Reduces stormwater pollution
• Enhances community well-being
• Enhances well being through connection with nature