City of Seattle, WA

26/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 27/07/2024 00:54

Improving access to Link light rail and community destinations in North Seattle | LEVY DOLLARS AT WORK

City staff walk alongside 1st Ave NE, future site of the 1st Ave NE Shared-Use Path. Credit: SDOT

Blog stats: 1,500 words | 8-minute read

At a glance:

To prepare for the new NE 130th St light rail station opening in 2026, we are working to make it safer and easier for people to walk, bike, roll, and ride the bus in the area. Our goal is to ensure safe and reliable connections for everyone for years to come.

When the new NE 130th St light rail station opens in 2026, we expect more people will travel to and through the Bitter Lake and Lake City neighborhoods to access the station. Sound Transit estimates approximately 3,300-3,700 daily riders at the NE 130th St station, with 90% of riders arriving by foot, by bike, or by bus.

While King County Metro doesn't have an existing bus route serving this area, they are planning to add new service that will better connect Bitter Lake, Haller Lake, and Lake City and help people get to and from the new light rail station.

[Link]An artist's rendering of the future NE 130th St light rail station's south lobby, including ticketing and directional guidance to help people get to the train platform level above. Graphic credit: Sound Transit

The projects detailed below include funding from the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure, the current Levy to Move Seattle, our Safe Routes to School program, federal grants, and other funding sources.

[Link]A series of safety and mobility improvement projects are planned in the N 130th St / NE 125th St area of north Seattle. Graphic: SDOT

NE 130th St & NE 125th St Mobility and Safety Project

The NE 130th St & NE 125th St Mobility and Safety Project will make it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, roll, and take transit to the new NE 130th St light rail station and to travel along NE 130th St, Roosevelt Way NE, and NE 125th St.

Planned improvements include:

  • Raised 12-foot-wide path for walking, biking, and rolling on the north side of NE 130th St, with a planted buffer.
  • New protected bike lanes with concrete curbs on Roosevelt Way NE and NE 125th St.
  • Roundabout at Roosevelt Way NE and 10th Ave NE to improve traffic flow and safety.
  • New and upgraded bus stops, including bus-only lanes and signal changes for buses.
  • Safer streets and crossings with sidewalk repairs, ADA-accessible curb ramps, and Leading Pedestrian Intervals to give people walking and rolling a head start.
  • Traffic calming measures and restricted right turns at NE 130th St and 3rd Ave NE to increase safety and prevent crashes.
[Link]This project map shows the new light rail station and the area where improvements will be built. The project area starts at NE 130th St and 1st Ave NE and continues southeast along Roosevelt Way NE, east along NE 125th St, and ends just past Lake City Way NE. Graphic: SDOT

We're designing these improvements to align with our Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets.

This project is currently at 60% design and is planned to be constructed before the NE 130th St light rail station opens in 2026. You can visit our website to learn more about the project's background, goals, and schedule, and to review the latest design concepts.

N 130th St Vision Zero Safety Corridor

To improve safety and pavement quality, we are making changes along N 130th St, between 1st Ave NE and Stone Way N.. This Vision Zero safety project will make the street safer for everyone, add protected left turn and pedestrian signals, install new ADA-accessible curb ramps, and repave the street. It will also improve access to the upcoming NE 130th St light rail station and support new bus service from King County Metro.

[Link]This project map shows the project on N 130th St between Stone Ave N and 1st Ave NE. Potential future connections on each end of the project are under consideration. Graphic: SDOT

Planned improvements include:

  • Reducing the speed limit to 25 miles per hour.
  • Reconfiguring the street from four lanes to two lanes with a center turn lane, and adding controlled left turn pockets at key intersections.
  • Installing new protected bike lanes and ADA-accessible curb ramps.
  • Implementing 'No Turn on Red' restrictions at major intersections - 1st Ave NE, Meridian Ave N, Ashworth Ave N, and Stone Ave N - to support safer travel.
  • Completing asphalt paving for the entire stretch. (A full street reconstruction will be completed later by the N 130th St - Bitter Lake to Haller Lake Mobility Improvements project, which is detailed below).

Paving and curb ramp work began in spring 2024 and will continue through the end of the year. The larger street reconfiguration work will occur in 2025.

N 130th St - Bitter Lake to Haller Lake Mobility Improvements

This project will include a new street design with protected bike lanes, reconstructed and widened sidewalks, new ADA-accessible curb ramps, and new street trees. We are supporting bus service with improved and relocated bus stops, a full street reconstruction for heavy bus and freight vehicles, and other bus priority improvements. The project is currently in the early design stages.

[Link]This project map shows the project area on N 130th St, between 1st Ave NW and the future NE 130th St light rail station. Graphic: SDOT

Project elements include:

  • Updated street design with new protected bike lanes in each direction, a center turn lane, and one travel lane in each direction (varies in some locations).
  • Street reconstruction to address pavement quality and support increased bus service in the area.
  • New enhanced crossings for people walking, rolling, and biking with curb bulbs, flashing beacons, pedestrian signals, and connections to future Neighborhood Greenways.
  • Upgraded and relocated bus stops with shelters, seating, and lighting.
  • Protected bike lanes at sidewalk level from Greenwood Ave N to 1st Ave NE, with bike signals in select locations (also connects to the protected bike lanes east of 1st Ave NE installed by the NE 130th St & NE 125th St Mobility and Safety Project).
  • Reconstructed and widened sidewalks with curbs and new ADA-accessible curb ramps.
  • Planting strips with street trees.
  • Drainage and stormwater improvements.

1st Ave NE Shared-Use Path

The 1st Ave NE Shared-Use Path Project will make it safer and more comfortable for everyone to travel on the east side of 1st Ave NE between NE 130th St and NE 117th St. Part of the Safe Routes to School program, this project will improve connections to James Baldwin Elementary School (formerly Northgate Elementary School), Northacres Park, and future walking and biking paths to Sound Transit's NE 130th St light rail station, set to open in 2026.

[Link]

This project map shows the project area along 1st Ave NE between N 117th St and N 130th St. Graphic: SDOT

Project elements include:

  • 12-foot-wide concrete shared-use path for people walking, biking, and rolling on the east side of 1st Ave NE, from NE 130th St to just south of NE 120th St (connecting to the existing sidewalk).
  • Protected bike lanes from just south of NE 120th St to NE 117th St.
  • Curb ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
  • Crossing improvements at NE 125th St and NE 120th St.
  • Drainage improvements to address localized flooding issues.

This project is in the early design stage. We are gathering feedback on our early design and continue to meet with neighbors to understand neighborhood priorities. Visit the project website to learn more and connect with the project team.

Thank you for your interest in helping shape the design and plans for these projects.