Ship Canal Water Quality Project update 3/14/2024

Seattle Public Utilities and King County logos - white

What’s happening in Ballard in 2024?

ship canal logoDesign concept for the Ballard Pump Station. This view shows both the pump station design and the planned improvements on the 24th Ave NW street-end.

Design concept for the Ballard Pump Station. This view shows both the pump station design and the planned improvements on the 24th Ave NW street-end.

As we continue work at the Ballard shaft site, we're gearing up for something big later this year. In October, work is planned to begin on the pump station at the current Ballard project site. Its job? To move polluted stormwater and sewage from the storage tunnel to King County’s West Point Treatment Plant.

Around the same time, we’ll start installing a 60-inch diameter conveyance pipeline that's 2,000 feet long. This pipeline will run underground through 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, to 28th Ave NW. Its job? To move polluted stormwater and sewage from your neighborhood into the completed storage tunnel.

We’ve updated the schedules and fact sheets on the project website. Please visit our project website to get the most up to date information about the Ship Canal Water Quality project in your neighborhood. Check out our Flickr albums for recent construction photos as well.


Ballard

Crews continue to dismantle and remove the equipment that was needed to build the tunnel, perform work inside the shaft, and haul off some remaining tunnel muck.

You should anticipate noise and vibrations typical of a construction site. Crews are now working one 10-hour shift, five days a week. Some work may occur on Saturdays.

East Ballard

Crews continue working on the replacement of a segment of water main in NW 45th St between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW. Crews are also working below ground to build the adit between the tunnel and the vertical shaft.

Lane closures and detours:

  • NW 45th St between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW remains closed through late spring 2024
  • The Burke Gilman trail detour remains in place until late spring 2024
  • 11th Ave NW remains open with two lanes of traffic in each direction. Flaggers may be present periodically during daytime hours to coordinate vehicles and construction traffic through the intersection.

You should anticipate:

  • Heavy equipment in the area
  • Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site

Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Night and weekend work may occur.

Fremont

Crews continue building the permanent structure inside the shaft and installing conveyance pipes that connect to the storage tunnel. They also continue building the large, underground mechanical and electrical vault.

Local closures and detours:

  • On 2nd Ave NW, between Leary Way NW and NW Canal St, the street remains closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic through mid-2024
  • NW Canal St is open to two-way traffic during this closure
  • NW 36th St, between Leary Way NW and 3rd Ave NW, remains closed through mid-2024
  • Pedestrian detours are in place on Leary Way NW; please follow all detour guidance

You should anticipate:

  • Truck traffic on Leary Way NW as trucks bring materials and equipment to and from the site
  • Concrete trucks entering and leaving the site
  • Fans running during work hours to provide fresh air to crews working in the shaft
  • Heavy equipment in the area
  • Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site

Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm; and some Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm.

Wallingford

Crews are installing conveyance pipe in the intersection of Stone Way N and N 35th St. Another crew is installing the segment of conveyance pipe between Interlake Ave N and the Wallingford shaft site. Crews also continue to build the permanent walls inside the shaft and the above-ground electrical building.

The pedestrian crossing on the south side of the intersection of Stone Way N and N 35th St is closed. Pedestrians need to follow the approved detour route and cross Stone Way N at N 34th St. After construction work hours and on weekends, a temporary pedestrian walkway will be in place to allow crossing N 35th St at Stone Way N.

N 36th St between Wallingford Ave N and Stone Way N is restricted to local access only. Please follow the approved detour map when driving in the area.

See our updated detour maps for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

N 35th St closure vehicle detour

  • Traffic is detoured via N 40th St and Wallingford Ave N, and via Woodland Park Ave N and N 34th St
  • The all-way stops remain in place at Woodland Park Ave N at both N 35th St and N 34th St, and at Wallingford Ave N and N 35th St
  • Stone Way N between N 34th St and N 35th St remains closed to vehicles and bicycles
  • Please adhere to Road Closed, Local Access Only, and Traffic Revision Ahead signage and follow marked detour routes

N 35th St closure bicycle detour

  • Bicyclists are detoured to the west on N 35th St and Woodland Park Ave N
  • Access to the Burke Gilman Trail is on N 34th St at Stone Way N and at Troll Ave N
  • Please dismount and walk if you use the sidewalk

You should anticipate:

  • N 35th St between Stone Way N and Interlake Ave N and the intersection of N 35th St and Stone Way N are closed
  • Trucks coming in and out of the site
  • Heavy equipment in the area
  • Vibrations typical of a construction site
  • Truck traffic from the North Transfer Station hauling waste away from the station beginning at 5 am (for up to four hours), 7 days a week. Flaggers will be on site to help control traffic and direct trucks out of the gate if needed.
  • Road and periodic sidewalk closures
  • Temporary bus stops on Woodland Park Ave N are relocated; Metro bus routes 31, 32, and northbound 62 detoured. Southbound bus route 62 is unchanged. Please view service advisories on King County Metro’s website.

We understand that traffic is a challenge in this area. We continue to keep an eye on neighborhood impacts and add new signage for detours and safe access to businesses. Businesses are open and ready to serve the community. Please support local businesses and follow all detour signage and safety directions when traveling through the work area.

Regular work hours at the Wallingford shaft site will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Crews also work a second shift in the tunnel and there will be occasional surface work at the shaft site.

Regular work hours on N 35th St and Stone Way N will be Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. Night and weekend work may occur periodically.

Queen Anne

Crews continue installing utilities at the site. 

Local closures and detours:

  • Localized Ship Canal Trail detour at least through mid-2024 (see map). Please continue to remain alert when moving through this area.
  • West Ewing Mini Park parking closure through mid-2024

You should anticipate:

  • Trucks coming in and out of the site
  • Heavy equipment in the area
  • Noise and vibrations typical of a construction site

Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. Night and weekend work may occur.


Construction graphic

Construction Safety is Everyone’s Job

Check out some top safety tips at www.seattle.gov/utilities/constructionsafety


Contact Us

Please email SPU_ShipCanalProject@seattle.gov with questions or comments or call our hotline at (206) 701-0233. You can also find information online at spushipcanal.participate.online.

Visit Project Website