Route 40: Project Updates - March 20, 2026
New sidewalk wraps around a tree on N Fremont Pl in Fremont. Photo: SDOT
Dear community members,
Construction continues in Fremont and Ballard along NW Leary Way and 15th Ave NW as work progresses on the Route 40 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor Project. Crews will be working on sidewalks and bus stop improvements that will enhance transit reliability, pedestrian safety, and overall corridor operations over the next few weeks. Below are the latest construction updates and what to expect next.
NW Leary Way at 15th Ave NW
Work continues along NW Leary Way near 15th Ave NW as crews continue sidewalk and roadway improvements.
Crews recently:
- Poured the last remaining concrete sidewalk at the upgraded westbound bus stop
- Poured sections of sidewalk at the eastbound bus stop
Looking ahead, crews will remove and replace concrete roadway panels near the intersection and at the bridge on/off ramps. This work will occur on weekends from Friday evening to Monday morning to minimize impacts to the travelling public during weekdays. Expect temporary lane reductions on the ramps and on NW Leary Way at 15th Ave NW. Work may start as soon as April 4.
Crews are also installing new traffic signal poles and equipment. Neighbors can expect short term lane reductions and parking restrictions while we complete this work.
Looking ahead, crews will:
- Complete remaining sidewalk replacement at the eastbound bus stop
- Remove and replace sidewalk and curb ramps at the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection
- Remove and replace sidewalk at the southwest corner of the intersection
- Remove and replace sidewalk and driveways on the north side of NW Leary Way, east of the intersection
- Complete installation and commission new traffic signals
 Construction in the Ballard neighborhood on NW Leary Way and 15th Ave NW.
Pavement Restoration Work
Crews have begun pavement restoration following recent trenching and curb replacement work. Crews are installing new pavement in several locations to restore the roadway and complete this phase of construction.
Street restoration work locations include:
- N 36th St between 1st Ave NW and Palatine Ave N
- N 36th St at Phinney Ave N
- N 36th St at Dayton Ave N
- Fremont Pl N between Evanston Ave N and Fremont Ave N
- Fremont Ave N at N 35th St
- Fremont Ave N at N 34th St
Fremont Pl N
Crews recently:
- Completed all sidewalk work on the north side of Fremont Pl between Evanston Ave N and Fremont Ave N
- Completed all curb and gutter work and full depth asphalt paving on Fremont Pl N
- Completed driveway paving operations
Looking ahead, crews will:
- Remove and replace sidewalk on the south side of Fremont Pl N
- Remove the top layers of asphalt and repave the full width of the road from Fremont Ave N to the new bus stop near Evanston Ave N, leaving a new, uniform roadway surface
Fremont Ave N, Fremont Pl N, and N 35th St
Crews recently:
- poured sidewalks and curb ramps at several corners of the busy intersection
- placed full depth asphalt paving on Fremont Ave N, north of N 35th St.
Looking ahead, crews will:
- complete final concrete work and site cleanup, including the island on Fremont Pl N
- commission new traffic signals
- prepare for installation of bus stop features on the south side of N 35th St where applicable
- finish full-depth hot mix asphalt paving —a high-traffic and long lasting upgrade
- Remove the top layers of asphalt and repave the whole intersection, leaving a new, uniform roadway surface
What to Expect Around Fremont
While this work is underway, people traveling through the area may notice:
- Temporary traffic lane shifts near work areas
- Short-term lane reductions
- Construction equipment, crews working in the roadway, and typical construction noise
- Westbound traffic will be closed on N 35th St, between Troll Ave N and Fremont Ave N, as early as Monday, March 23, and could last through the remainder of the month.
Please note: Fremont Ave N will be reduced to one lane in each direction in the next few weeks so crews can begin full-depth pavement upgrades as early as March 30. This work will last for approximately two weeks.
For additional information, refer to the project maps and site-specific info below:
 Construction in the core of the Fremont neighborhood.
 New sidewalks stretch down Fremont Pl N. Crews have now moved to focus on roadway improvements. Photo: SDOT
Eastbound 1st Ave NW and N 36th St
Sidewalk construction upgrades are underway. This work includes demolition, pedestrian detours, and parking restrictions. Building access will be maintained during business hours.
Crews recently:
- completed the bus bulb, including sidewalk replacement, new curb and the new bus approach concrete paving
- completed sidewalk replacement west of 1st Ave NW
- completed sidewalk replacement behind the new bus stop
 Construction in the Fremont Neighborhood on N 36th St near 1st Ave NW
 A freshly poured bus bulb on the south side of N 36th St. Photo: SDOT
Route 40 Bus Stop Changes
Due to ongoing construction, several Route 40 bus stops in the Fremont area are temporarily relocated or adjusted.
Northbound Route 40:
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Fremont Ave N & N 34th St stop remains in service
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N 36th St & Dayton Ave N stop is temporarily relocated to the north side of Dayton Ave N
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N 36th St & 1st Ave NW stop is temporarily relocated to NW Leary Way & N 39th St
Southbound Route 40:
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N 36th St & 1st Ave NW stop is temporarily relocated to NW Leary Way & N 39th St
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N 36th St & Phinney Ave N stop remains in service
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Fremont Ave N & N 34th St stop has been permanently relocated to the far side of N 34th St (on the bridge)
Please follow posted signage and allow extra time when traveling through the area. We appreciate your patience as we continue making improvements along the Route 40 corridor.
The eastbound bus stop on N 36th St between 1st Ave NW and Palatine Ave N (#28300) remains closed while Route 40 work continues. Riders can use alternative stops located east and west along N 36th St.
We will be closing the northbound bus stop on Fremont Ave N between N 34th St and N 35th St and opening the new bus stops on eastbound N 35th St and westbound Fremont Ave N as early March 28th. Please check the King County Transit Alerts to get the latest updates.
 A rendering shows improvements heading north on Fremont Ave N.
Made in House, opened in 2021, is a woman-owned Korean fast-casual spot focused on scratch-made, no-fuss dining. Fremont's premier stone pot destination, we offer contemporary dine-in, takeout, and deli provisions for easy additions at home. Our menu highlights seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, and thoughtfully rotating dishes. House ferments are grown in our organic, pesticide-free greenhouse in Hobart, WA, and are also featured at our original sister concept, BopBox in Georgetown. Join us for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or take something home for busy nights—and keep an eye out for House Alley, opening summer 2026! Catering and business lunch packs also available.
If you own or manage a business in Fremont or Westlake Ave near the project corridor and would like to be featured, please email us at Route40@seattle.gov and send us a short description and picture of your business.
Every Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:00 AM, residents and business owners can participate in our online open house for Route 40. These sessions provide an opportunity to connect directly with the project team, ask questions, share comments, or simply listen.
Drop-in sessions will be held during this time by appointment only. Community members who would like to attend are asked to confirm their participation by Sunday evening the week of via email, which helps ensure project staff are available.
These sessions are a valuable way to stay informed and engaged throughout the project. We encourage everyone to join us and be part of the conversation—your input is important and helps shape the project’s success.
You can access the online meetings with the details below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83530373889
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Phone: (206) 775-8731 (leave a voicemail and we will return your call)
Our project team is in close coordination with the following projects. Please visit their project webpage to see the latest update:
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اذا تريد ترجمة هذه المعلومات, يرجى الاتصال برقم
206-775-8731
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact us at Route40@seattle.gov
Sincerely,
Jules Posadas
Route 40 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor Project
(206) 775-8731
Route40@seattle.gov
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