2011-2012 Arterial Paving Projects: N/NW 85th St and Greenwood Ave N

Project Description

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N/NW 85th St and Greenwood Ave N are heavily traveled arterials, important to north Seattle neighborhoods. With over 30,000 vehicles traveling on N/NW 85th St daily, and over 12,000 vehicles on Greenwood Ave N, the roadways had deteriorated over time and needed major repairs.

In January 2012, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) began reconstructing N/NW 85th St from 15th Ave NW to I-5 with new concrete pavement in the most heavily traveled areas, and repaving the remaining lanes with asphalt. In addition, SDOT repaved Greenwood Ave N from N 85th St to N 73rd St with new asphalt. Construction on N/NW 85th St and on Greenwood Ave N was completed in fall 2012.

These projects cost a total of $12 million and were a part of the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy passed by Seattle voters in November 2006.

Project Improvements

• Over 203,946 square feet of concrete roadway in the most heavily travelled areas – enough to cover nearly 3.5 football fields!
• More than 7,234 tons of final asphalt pavement.
• 232 new and upgraded curb ramps to meet current accessibility standards.
• 68,080 square feet of new sidewalk.
• Over 100 new environmentally friendly storm water features such as drainage facilities and catch basins.

Project Phasing and Construction Schedule

Construction began in January and was completed in fall 2012. To better manage traffic and minimize impacts to the nearby community, construction activities were completed in phases.

• Phase 1: 15th Ave NW to 8th Ave NW
• Phase 2: 8th Ave NW to Greenwood Ave N
• Phase 3: Greenwood Ave N to Aurora Ave N
• Phase 4: Aurora Ave N to Wallingford Ave N
• Phase 5: Wallingford Ave N to I-5
• Phase 6: Greenwood Ave N between N 85th St and N 73rd St

Public Outreach

Public outreach began in April 2011 during the final design phase and continued throughout the construction phase until the project was completed in fall 2012.

Project Materials

• Thank you Postcard (Fall 2012) 
• Summer Newsletter (June 2012)
• Project Folio (Spring 2012)
• Project improvements map
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Neighborhood traffic FAQ
• Map of reported potholes along these corridors

Project Contacts:

Paul Elliott, Public Communications Lead, paul.elliott@seattle.gov, (206) 684-5321

Sue Byers, Project Manager, susan.byers@seattle.gov, (206) 733-9076