Construction to Cause Parking Lot and Road Closures
Construction crews began work on a College Way (South 236th Place) roundabout project in March and don’t expect to be done until mid-September. The project affects the north end of the East Parking Lot on the Highline College campus. When complete, it will be a new main entrance to campus (read more below).
For those visiting or working on campus, follow these safety instructions:
Road Closures: The north road leading from the East Parking Lot to the North Parking Lot and College way, the road leading from Pacific Highway to the East Parking Lot, will be closed intermittently. Community members accessing the North Parking Lot will need to enter off 20th Avenue South. Those entering the East Parking Lot will need to enter from South 240th Street. During closures, a walking path will be set up for Campus View residents and employees to enter and leave the East Lot from College Way.
Parking: The north side of the East Parking Lot will be fenced off with construction crews and heavy equipment in the area. Vehicles should abide by all traffic signage and flaggers.
Timeline
May to mid-June: The East Reserved Lot will be closed for construction and will not be accessible to employees. Construction crews are installing detention tanks and pipes during this time.
Mid-June to mid-September: One-third of the north side of the East Parking Lot will be closed for construction on the roundabout. College Way will be closed and community members will need to enter and exit the East Lot through the main entrance on South 240th Street.
Questions?
Zach Lambert: zlambert@highline.edu or (206) 592-3262
Public Safety: publicsafety@highline.edu or (206) 592-3218
A New Highline College Entrance
Rendering of College Way roundabout
Construction of the College Way roundabout represents a major project for Highline College as it will create a new main entrance for campus.
Although campus is located close to Pacific Highway (Hwy 99), the 80-plus acre property is tucked away, not easily visible from this major thoroughfare.
But with the construction of Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension project, there’s an opportunity to not only connect the college to Pacific Highway, but also to a nearby substation that will see thousands of future light rail riders daily. When complete in 2025, light rail will span from Seattle to Federal Way.
Potential design of new Highline College signage.
Outlined in the college’s 2030 Campus Master Plan, College Way will widen to multiple lanes to form a roundabout with two exits –– one to the north road that will lead to the North Parking lot and another to the East Parking Lot. A traffic signal will be installed at the College Way/Pacific Highway intersection, which will turn into a four-way stop after Sound Transit has constructed an extension of College Way to the Kent Des Moines Station. Rapid Ride bus stops, pedestrian paths, a plaza, bike lanes, parking and landscape improvements are planned in conjunction with the Highline College main entrance improvements.
After the College Way roundabout construction is complete, two monument signs are planned for the main entrance of College Way from Pacific Highway 99, and one monument sign will be placed at the entry roundabout to mark the arrival to Highline’s campus.
While Sound Transit and the City of Des Moines will help fund the project, Highline College has committed to paying $1.4 million with a large portion of funding coming from the Transportation and Safety Tuition Fee. Because the college does not receive funding from the state for parking projects, Highline’s portion will be from local funding.
Rendering of Highline College campus map of with College Way roundabout