 Ship Canal Water Quality Project update 4/3/2025
Maximum progress for minimal disruption
Map of the Ballard conveyance and pump station portion of the Ship Canal Water Quality project.
As many Seattle residents know, construction can feel like a never-ending story. But fret not, neighbors of the Ship Canal Water Quality Project, we take many steps to ensure that our project causes as little headache as possible – even when it doesn’t feel like it! We focus on methods that reduce the length of time we spend in any given area and have fewer impacts on surface-level roads and sidewalks. We do our best to make sure that we are out of your hair as much as possible. If you’ve experienced parts of the Ship Canal Water Quality Project up close, you may find that hard to believe! Rest assured, we are dedicated to reducing impacts on neighbors, being responsible with public funds, and of course, protecting water quality.
When planning a project, we carefully consider where we’re working and what impacts there will be. Take Ballard, for example. We’re working on the street right outside people’s homes, so we’ve made it a priority to keep noise down and ensure streets stay accessible. We looked at several options for executing this project before we settled on the use of a small, 8-foot-diameter tunnel boring machine. Why? Because this method causes less disruption to the street and surrounding area. It tunnels underground and reduces our need to put trenches in roadways. Using this method means we only need to close off a few smaller areas (marked in yellow on the map above) as opposed to entire roads.
Sure, construction is never completely silent, dust-free, or truck-free, but please know we’re always working hard to make sure to minimize what you’re feeling from the construction crunch.
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. Visit our Flickr albums for recent construction photos as well.
Ballard
The Ballard Pump Station and Ballard Conveyance contractor continues work along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, and 28th Ave NW. Crews have been installing a temporary piping system that will redirect flows while work is happening on the main conveyance pipe system. This work is ongoing throughout the project area in Ballard. As early as April, you may start to see fences around work areas and large machinery in the street.
You should anticipate:
- Parking restrictions, intermittent road closures, and local access only 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
NW 45th St between 11th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW is open along with the Burke Gilman Trail in its original location. Minor restoration work is continuing. Crews will still be in the area and there may be occasional one lane closures with flaggers as work wraps up.
Fremont
Crews continue installing equipment inside the shaft, utilities at the site, and mechanical and electrical systems inside the vault on N 36th St. Crews have also begun site grading and sidewalk restoration on Leary Way NW, N 36th St and 2nd Ave NW.
Leary Way NW is now open to all lanes of traffic. The sidewalk on the south side of Leary Way NW has also re-opened.
Local closures and detours:
- NW 36th St, between Leary Way NW and 3rd Ave NW, remains closed until mid-2025
- 2nd Ave, between Leary Way NW and Canal St, also remains closed
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
N 35th St has officially reopened to all lanes of traffic! Periodic temporary lane closures may still be necessary, and flaggers will assist with traffic during those times.
The southern portion of Interlake Ave N at N 35th St remains closed. Local access will remain in effect from N 36th St until final road restoration on Interlake Ave N is complete.
The contractor has replaced several concrete road panels on Interlake Ave N. Sidewalk restoration on the east side of Interlake Ave N was completed this week.
Within the site at the northeast corner of N 35th St and Interlake Ave N, crews are working on site grading and continue installation of the rock wall on the north and east sides.
You should anticipate:
- Trucks coming in and out of the site
- 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 landscaping. Minor restoration and installation work continues, and crews will still be in the area. The Ship Canal Trail is open in its original configuration. There may be localized trail detours in coming months as needed for crews to work.
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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