Art That Bridges the Project, Indigenous Culture, and Nature
 Two public art paddles by Preston Singletary (Tlingit) and David Franklin showcase the Indigenous legendary stories surrounding our natural waterways.
While this project helps keep our waterways clean and safe for everyone, it’s also about honoring the connection between the built and natural worlds through public art. One of our newest public art installations showcases art paddles at the Fremont and Queen Anne shaft sites. These beautiful pieces tell the Indigenous origin story of our rivers, streams, and waterways. In the words of the Indigenous legend:
Raven was traveling and made Petrel’s acquaintance. Petrel lived near a natural water spring which he kept to himself. Petrel did not trust Raven because he’d heard Raven was a conniving fellow. At dusk, Raven told Petrel “I’ll just stay here till the morning and be on my way”. Petrel would not leave Raven alone at his water source but eventually fell asleep.
At daybreak, Raven exclaimed “Hey brother, you’ve soiled yourself while sleeping!” Petrel was embarrassed and left to clean himself off. When Petrel was away, Raven swallowed up that entire water source. Raven then flew off but had a hard time keeping all the water in and thus it dribbled out of his beak. The water flowing down to the earth became the origin of the rivers, streams and waterways in our region.
The art paddles were created by artists Preston Singletary (Tlingit) and David Franklin. For Singletary, who grew up and still lives with his family near the installation site, the paddles are more than artwork – they’re a symbol of a larger effort to care for our waterways and the life that depends on them. David Franklin, who lives in Indianola, Washington near the shores of Port Madison, brings a similar perspective. His community will also benefit from this project as it reduces the untreated discharges into the waters we all share.
With work slowing down at many project sites, we’ll be moving to quarterly email updates starting in July. But there’s still a lot happening in Ballard! If you’d like to keep getting monthly updates focused on the Ballard site, just email SPU_ShipCanalProject@seattle.gov to let us know.
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.
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. You may start to see traffic control and delineators around work areas and large machinery in the neighborhood.
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 to remove dirt
Please watch for equipment and signs in the area. For your safety, 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. Site restoration within the site, on Leary Way NW, N 36th St, and 2nd Ave NW continues.
Leary Way NW is now open to all lanes of traffic.
Local closures and detours:
- NW 36th St between Leary Way NW and 3rd Ave NW remains closed until mid-2025
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 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.
Within the site at the northeast corner of N 35th St and Interlake Ave N, crews have begun site grading and continue construction of the rock wall.
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 from 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. 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.
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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