 Testing… testing… 1…2…3…: Parts of the project are ready for testing
Workers prepare to pressure test a pipe at the Fremont shaft site.
Our contractor is beginning to wrap up construction at four of the five project sites - Ballard will remain active until 2027. When construction is complete at each site, the contractor must complete a “commissioning” process before management and maintenance of the equipment gets turned over to us. As part of our contract with our construction firms, it is the contractor’s responsibility for installing, managing, and maintaining the equipment during construction. Currently, they are doing final testing of the equipment they installed.
This important step is one of the many ways that we safeguard rate-payer funds by ensuring that our infrastructure is fully functional and meets our needs. After all the equipment has been tested and confirmed to be in working order, the contractor will officially hand it off to SPU. As we mentioned in our last article, SPU crews are undergoing extensive training to use and maintain this equipment.
Please visit our project website to get the most up-to-date information about the Ship Canal Water Quality Project, a partnership between Seattle Public Utilities and King County Wastewater Treatment Division. Check out our Flickr albums for recent construction photos as well.
Ballard
Work at the Ballard site has been minimal over the summer as the site awaits the next contractor. The Pump Station and Ballard Conveyance contractor is expected to begin work in late October or early November.
East Ballard
Sidewalk restoration and paving in 11th Ave NW and in NW 45th St between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW is near complete. Early next week, NW 45th St and 11th Ave NW are expected to be fully open and the Burke Gilman Trail (BGT), between 9th Ave NW and 11th Ave NW (between the US Post Office building and the Ballard Fred Meyer store) will be moved back to its original location.
There may be periodic temporary lane closures during work hours, and flaggers will assist with traffic during those times. Some landscape, fencing, and commissioning work remains.
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 4 pm.
Fremont
Crews continue installing equipment inside the shaft and buried utilities at the site. They also continue installing mechanical and electrical systems inside the vault in N 36th St.
Lane restrictions in Leary Way NW will continue through October for final paving. The contractor is beginning final restoration along Leary Way NW.
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 until early 2025
- 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 until early 2025
- 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
- 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
The north half of N 34th St at Stone Way N, including the left turn lane from N Northlake Way onto westbound N 34th St, continues to be closed for several more days. Crews are restoring the roadway. See our detour map.
- Pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of N 34th St across Stone Way N is closed
- Local access only on westbound N 34th St from Wallingford Ave N, including access to the North Transfer Station
- Vehicles leaving the North Transfer Station must exit eastbound to Wallingford Ave N and follow the signed detour route
- Local access only on Woodlawn Ave N between N 34th St and N 35th St
Last year, this area was closed so we could install a bypass for the sewer system that would allow us to install the new pipes. Over 600 feet of deep, large diameter pipe has been installed on N 35th St and Stone Way N. This year, we cut off the bypass system and made final connection of the new pipes. Final pavement restoration is underway. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Stone Way N between N 34th St and N 35th St is expected to be reopened later this month.
Please note that Puget Sound Energy (PSE) will return to the west side of the intersection of Stone Way N and N 34th St to reconnect their gas main. We expect that will happen later in October, after we have reopened Stone Way N. We will let you know once we learn more about the duration and timing of PSE’s work.
Within the site at the northeast corner of N 35th St and Interlake Ave N, crews continue to install equipment inside the shaft, build the above-ground electrical building, and remove the temporary screen wall and posts on the east and north sides of the site.
Interlake Ave N is closed to through-traffic for utility installation for several more weeks and will remain closed for final pavement restoration through November. During this period, vehicle traffic on Interlake Ave N south of N 36th St will be local access only down to N 35th St. Crews have resumed working in N 35th St. East and westbound traffic on N 35th St near Interlake Ave N will be shifted to the southern portion of the roadway. The parking lane will become the eastbound travel lane. This will prohibit parking for several feet on the south side of N 35th St at and near Interlake Ave N. During this configuration all vehicles parked in that area at any time are subject to be towed. There will be lane closures on N 35th St during the day for additional utility work in N 35th St as needed. Lane closures for utility work will take several weeks. Flaggers will be used to assist vehicles around the work area during work hours. One lane each way will be open evenings and weekends.
Final pavement and sidewalk restoration will follow the utility work and will also take several weeks. We will share details about the traffic control for restoration work when available.
Stone Way N 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 34th St detour
Westbound traffic is detoured at Wallingford Ave N up to N 40th St. Local access is provided to businesses and residences between Wallingford Ave N and Stone Way N.
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
- Paving and heavy equipment in the area
- Vibrations typical of a construction site
- Road and periodic sidewalk closures
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm. Night and weekend work may occur periodically.
Queen Anne
Crews have completed much of the site restoration. Crews are still working on minor installations and finalizing landscaping. The Ship Canal Trail is currently open in its original configuration. There may be localized trail detours in coming months as needed for crews to work. We will keep you updated on the timing of any remaining work.
Local closures and detours:
- Potential localized Ship Canal Trail detour in coming months as needed. Please continue to remain alert when moving through this area.
- West Ewing Mini Park parking closure through early fall 2024
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7am to 4pm.
 We understand that traffic can be a challenge in our project areas. We continue to keep an eye on neighborhood impacts and ensure safe access to businesses. Businesses are open and ready to serve the community. Please continue to support our local businesses!
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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