Ship Canal Water Quality Project update 11/14/2024
Sing me a “Ballard”
Rendering of the future Ballard Pump Station site near Shilshole Ave NW and 24th Ave NW.
Wow! We’re finally here. The last major phase of the Ship Canal Water Quality project is the building of the Ballard Pump Station and installation of new conveyance pipes. Ballard is home to the western end of the storage tunnel which we completed in 2023.
Before the new storage tunnel can be operational, Seattle Public Utilities needs to install over 2,000 feet of pipes to connect existing sewer and stormwater infrastructure in Ballard to the storage tunnel. The pipe will be installed along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, ending at 28th Ave NW using a small underground tunneling machine.
We will need to construct a pump station as well to move flows from the storage tunnel to King County’s West Point Treatment Plant. The Ballard Pump Station will be built at the site of the 107 foot deep vertical shaft that was used during the construction of the storage tunnel. The pump station will be an 80 foot tall, illuminated tower that will house both above- and below-ground mechanical and odor control equipment.
The image above depicts what the pump station will look like once it’s built. Our designers were inspired by Ballard’s history, its underground infrastructure, and how the neighborhood looks today. The cylindrical shape mirrors the pump station and the below-ground equipment space. The frame around the building reflects the industrial feel and scaffolding of Ballard’s shipyards. Once construction is complete, the site will be a fenced-off yard with vehicle access for operations and maintenance, an urban tree farm, and landscaping.
Drop-in session today (November 14)
Some of our project staff will be at the Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library (5614 22nd Ave NW) this afternoon, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Come by to chat with us about the project!
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
The Ballard Pump Station and Ballard Conveyance contractor has begun work along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, and 28th Ave NW. Crews are performing utility evaluation in preparation for the start of Ballard Conveyance construction.
You should anticipate:
- Parking restrictions along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, and 28th Ave NW
- Noise, dust, and vibration typical of a construction site
- Work and equipment will include machines to cut pavement and vacuum trucks for removing dirt
Please watch for equipment and signs in the area. Travel slowly through active construction areas and follow directions from flaggers and signs.
East Ballard
We have reopened NW 45th St between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW along with fully opening the Burke Gilman Trail (BGT) in its original location. Periodic temporary lane closures may still be necessary over the coming month, and flaggers will assist with traffic during those times. Restoration work is continuing so crews will still be in the area and there may be occasional one lane closures with flaggers as work wraps up.
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 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.
From November 21 through approximately November 27, construction near the Burke-Gilman Trail in Fremont will temporarily shift a short segment of the trail north a few feet to go around a work area in the trail. The segment of the trail to be adjusted is east of 3rd Ave NW and west of 2nd Ave NW, near the Lakeside Industries asphalt plant. This will result in a minor change to your usual path. Please use caution when biking through the area.
The contractor continues restoration along Leary Way. Lane restrictions in Leary Way NW will continue through November for final paving.
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 section of Stone Way N between N 34th and N 35th Streets has officially reopened! Our construction work in this area is wrapping up and we will be clearing away equipment and detour signs in the coming days. Periodic temporary lane closures may still be necessary over the coming months, and flaggers will assist with traffic during those times.
N 34th St at Stone Way N, including the left turn lane from N Northlake Way onto westbound N 34th St has reopened as well.
Daytime lane closure continues on Interlake Ave N for utility installation work. Vehicle access south of N 36th St down to N 35th St remains limited to local traffic only. On N 35th St near Interlake Ave N, eastbound and westbound traffic will shift to the southern part of the road, and the parking lane will temporarily serve as the eastbound travel lane. As a result, parking is prohibited for several feet along the south side of N 35th St near Interlake Ave N, and any vehicles parked there will be subject to towing. Additional utility work on N 35th St also requires daytime lane closures, which are expected to last for several weeks. Flaggers will direct traffic around the work zone during the day, with one lane in each direction open during evenings and weekends.
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.
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.
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, 7 am to 6 pm. 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. We will keep you updated on the timing of any remaining work.
Local closures and detours:
- The parking lot at W Ewing will remain closed for electrical commission work until early 2025
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
Regular work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 4 pm.
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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