 What’s the Buzz in Ballard?
 Workers prepare to repave a section of Shilshole Ave NW.
If you live in or visit Ballard, chances are you’ve noticed a bit of construction along the way. We’ve been hard at work in the neighborhood (especially around NW 56th St, 24th Ave NW, and at the Ballard shaft site), and we’re excited to share that things are moving right along!
We know construction can be disruptive, so we truly appreciate your patience as we head toward the next stretch – tunnel boring! Your support makes a big difference, and we’re grateful to be part of this community.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to this year in the Ballard neighborhood:
- Advanced major structural work, including completion of secant pile installation at key intersections along NW 56th St between 24th Ave NW and 28th Ave NW
- Continued ground stabilization efforts using jet grouting. This technique uses high-pressure grout to strengthen and stabilize the soil.
- Significant progress on the pump station, including ongoing construction of internal walls and floors
- Completed installation of dewatering systems to support safe excavation work at 24th Ave NW and NW 56th St. Dewatering systems help keep excavation areas dry and stable.
- Connected with community members regularly to share updates and discuss project impacts
- Efforts to replace sections of Shilshole Ave NW as part of the previous tunnel work
Looking ahead
Work will continue in April as crews prepare for the arrival of the microtunneling machine. This will be an exciting milestone that will help move this project into its next phase. Stay tuned for more to come!
We’re cruising right along with this portion of the project. Thanks again for sticking with us through the noise, dust, and detours. Ballard, you’ve been amazing!
Project updates are now quarterly. Our next update will be later this summer, but there is still a lot happening in Ballard! If you’d like to keep getting monthly updates focused on Ballard, just send us an email at SPU_ShipCanalProject@seattle.gov and we will add you to the email list.
Seattle Public Utilities and King County Wastewater Treatment Division are building the Ship Canal Water Quality Project (SCWQP) to significantly reduce the amount of polluted stormwater (from rain) and sewage that flows into the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Salmon Bay, and Lake Union from our sewer system.
Ballard
Crews at the Ballard Pump Station pour concrete floors to create the required pump station levels, then they pour the concrete walls. They will also perform utility work on Shilshole Ave NW to prepare for installation of the pump station discharge pipe southeast of the intersection at 24th Ave NW and Shilshole Ave NW. Please note that some utility work needs to occur at night, which is currently scheduled for April 13-17.
The Ballard Conveyance contractor continues work along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, and 28th Ave NW. Work includes shaft excavation in preparation for the microtunneling machine to arrive later in the spring.
You should anticipate:
- Parking restrictions, intermittent road closures, and local access only along 24th Ave NW, NW 56th St, and 28th Ave NW
- Trucks bringing materials on-site and off-site
- Noise, dust, and vibration typical of a construction site
- Vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle detours around the area
For everyone's safety, please watch for equipment and signs in the area. Travel slowly through active construction areas and follow directions from flaggers and signs.
East Ballard
In April and May, crews will be improving maintenance hole lids on 11th Ave NW and NW 45th St to prevent rainwater from pooling.
Also this spring, crews will be doing some pavement repair work on 9th Ave NW and NW 45th St.
You can expect some traffic control along the impacted roads and the Burke-Gilman trail, but no other detours are currently planned.
Other project sites: Fremont, Queen Anne, Wallingford
Work in these neighborhoods has been steadily winding down. Crews may still be in the areas periodically as minor restoration work wraps up. We will be back in 2027 when the storage tunnel becomes operational.
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 https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/ShipCanalProject.
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