The design for the 15th Ave W/NW and Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project is complete, and we’re scheduled to start construction preparation by the end of the year. The final design was informed by community input and our Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets.

This project aims to keep people and goods moving, while making the RapidRide D bus line more reliable and making travel safer for everyone. The project includes all the original elements from earlier design stages as well as the following enhancements. You can also see these illustrated in our project area map, renderings (see below), and a detailed diagram of the safety improvements north of the Ballard Bridge.

New Enhancements

• Install a new bike and pedestrian signal and crosswalk at NW 51st St, making it easier to walk, roll, or bike around the neighborhood and connecting people to Ballard businesses, attractions, and transit.
• Replace a southbound lane on 15th Ave NW with a new landscaped median between NW 50th St and NW 54th St to calm driver speeds and reduce the likelihood of serious crashes.  
• Add a new southbound transit lane with red “bus only” markings on 15th Ave NW between NW 54th St and NW Market St.    
• Add a new southbound transit lane with red “bus only” markings on 15th Ave NW between Leary Way NW and NW Ballard Way.
• Improve and add new lighting under the bridge along Leary Way NW and on the pedestrian path near the intersection of 15th Ave NW and W Nickerson St.  
  
  

Original Project Elements

• Pave 15th Ave W/NW from W Emerson St to NW 57th St including the fixed portions of the Ballard Bridge.
• Replace worn out bridge expansion joints, to maintain smooth transitions between paving panels.
• Improve earthquake safety by strengthening the north end of the Ballard Bridge (also called the Leary Bridge).
• Repair sidewalks, driveways, and stormwater drainage areas. 
• Upgrade curb ramps to meet current ADA standards along 15th Ave NW.
• Build missing curb ramps at all east-west crossings along 15th Ave NW.
• Update pedestrian crosswalk signs and refresh striping for better visibility. 
• Plant new trees and replace old trees in select areas.  
• Install new or expand existing tree pits to keep trees healthy.
• Add red “bus only” lane markings to the existing northbound bus lane on 15th Ave NW between NW 51st St and NW Market St.

Over the next few months, we will share information about upcoming construction and alternate travel routes. We will also talk with people who live, work, or play along or near the 15th Ave W/NW corridor. Our goal is to minimize construction impacts as much as possible, and we will use what we heard from the community to inform our efforts. Thank you to the 900+ people who provided feedback through our online survey!  

We know community members are concerned about anticipated travel disruptions, but we also heard that people see the necessity of this project to preserve one of the City’s busiest arterials and improve travel and safety for people who drive, walk, roll, bike, and take the bus.

You can learn more on our project webpage and in our updated FAQ. This work is possible thanks to Seattle voters approving the Seattle Transit Measure and the Levy to Move Seattle!