Ship Canal Water Quality Project update 3/28/2024

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New FLOW art in Ballard

Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor stands in front of her work entitled Be Like Lotus

Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor stands in front of her work entitled Be Like Lotus

You thought it was gone, but it’s back! FLOW: Art Along the Ship Canal has made a rare appearance at the Ballard shaft site. We’re super excited to announce Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor’s piece entitled Be Like Lotus. Mollitor describes this work as a “call to action” for us to think more critically about the shortage of clean water, and to “create new habits” as a way to be a part of the solution. The art depicts imagery of lotuses because they do some super cool stuff to help clean aquatic ecosystems. They can thrive in dirty water and remove toxins as they grow.

Learn more about Be Like Lotus in Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor’s own words, and all the art showcased along the Ship Canal Water Quality Project on our website’s Public Art page.

We too can take part in keeping our water systems clean. You may remember reading about some healthy water habits in our previous updates – such as preventing fats, oils, and grease from going down your kitchen drain. Here are some other things you can do to keep Puget Sound clean and healthy and our aquatic ecosystems thriving:

  • Take your car to a carwash instead of washing in your driveway
  • Scoop all of your dog’s poop
  • Skip the pestisides and fertilizers when caring for your lawn
  • Keep soaps, cleaners, and paints out of storm drains
  • Rake your lawn debris away from storm drains

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 perform work inside the tunnel and shaft, and haul off remaining muck, equipment, and supplies from the site.

You should anticipate noise and vibrations typical of a construction site. Crews are now working one 8-hour shift, five days a week. Some work may occur on Saturdays.

East Ballard

Crews completed the connections for the new water main in N 45th St. They continue to install utilities at the site and complete work inside the mechanical and electrical vault. Work continues below ground to build the adit between the tunnel and the vertical shaft. In the coming weeks, crews expect to begin restoration activities.

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, installing conveyance pipes that connect to the storage tunnel, and excavating for the vortex generator. They also continue installing mechanical and electrical systems inside the 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. A temporary pedestrian walkway is put in place after construction work hours and on weekends to allow pedestrians to cross 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 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 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. Dewatering wells used during construction have been removed.   

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.

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