North Downtown Mobility Action Program
Updated: 11/14/2023
What Is NODO MAP?
The North Downtown Mobility Action Plan (NODO MAP) supports access to and mobility through North Downtown (NODO), which includes Uptown, Belltown, and South Lake Union neighborhoods.The draft October 2018 North Downtown Mobility Action Plan was prepared in partnership with the North Downtown neighborhoods through a community outreach process from Fall 2017 to Fall 2018. The plan built on existing community planning efforts; reviewed existing community plans and planned projects; identified ways to improve how we move, connect, and experience our streets and public places; and evaluated and prioritized potential projects.The December 2019 final action plan identifies and prioritizes transportation improvements for all modes in the NODO neighborhoods, building on existing community plans, with an emphasis of delivering the priority projects in the next ten years.
Curious about potential projects? Want to know more about NODO MAP? Read the full North Downtown Mobility Action Plan
Current Projects
Map Key |
Project Name |
Description |
Status |
| Queen Anne Avenue Protected Bike Lane Connection | Mercer St to Roy St: Extend Queen Anne Ave N protected bike lane (PBL) north for one block from Mercer St to Roy St. See the latest info on the scope here | We are in the design process and expect to construct this project in 2024. Read the latest fact sheet here | |
| Protected Intersection at Dexter Thomas | A protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St will include diverters to prohibit through vehicle travel across Aurora Ave N (now 7th Ave N) and a new signal. The project is located along Thomas Street Greenway East, which will implement a key element of the community's vision for a pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly Thomas Street Redefined. | The project has gone out to bid for a contractor and work is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 | |
| Harrison and Mercer Transit Access Project | The project will create a new pedestrian-focused corridor across South Lake Union, rebuild the roadway to support future transit service and accommodate future regional transit routes coming from Northeast Seattle, the SR-522 corridor, I-405 corridor and Renton. | We are working on planning for the Harrison and Mercer Transit Access Project and will soon begin communicating with community members and stakeholders to share project information and to gather feedback. | |
| 2nd Ave and Denny Way Bike Improvements | Re-establish a two-way protected bike lane (PBL) south of Denny Way for one block (130 ft) along 2nd Ave. Will allow two southbound general traffic lanes along 2nd Ave south of Denny Way separated from the sidewalk. | The project is currently in the pre-construction phase. Read the project fact sheet here | |
| Broad St Signal Improvements | In collaboration with the Port of Seattle, SDOT is upgrading the signals on Broad Street from Western Ave to 5th Ave N. The upgrades will ensure forward compatability, increased accessibility across and through intersections, and optimized traffic flow. | Construction at the 4th/John/Broad intersection is expected to begin in late 2023 early 2024. Check out the latest info here. | |
| Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N |
In coordination with Seattle City Light and other adjacent property owners, we will make improvements on Thomas St between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N. As past of the Thomas Street Redefined concept plan, the design focuses on improvements for a half-block closure at Thomas St east of 5th Ave N, a northern promenade for a multi-use trail from 5th Ave N to 6th Ave N, and a protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St. Bicycle facilities are existing or planned between 6th Ave N and Dexter Ave N. |
The Thomas St project, between 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N, has reached final design. We have secured contractors for the work which is anticipated to begin in fall of 2023. | |
| Denny Way Intelligent Transportation Systems |
Denny Way experiences some of the city's heaviest traffic volumes. The Denny Way ITS Project will upgrade traffic signals and pedestrian push buttons along Denny Way between Western Ave W and Minor Ave to improve the way people drive, walk, bike, and roll through this corridor. Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, are a suite of technology tools we use to improve the way people drive, walk, bike, or roll across the city, including upgrading traffic signals. ITS tools play a key role in a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that works for all travelers. |
In construction, completion expected by the end of 2023. | |
| Neighborhood-identified programmatic improvements | Programmatic improvements include pedestrian and bicycle wayfinding; pedestrian improvements at high-priority intersections; pedestrian-scale lighting; and programs on Vision Zero education and encouragement, driver education and enforcement. |
Completed Projects
| NODO Project ID | Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N Complete Streets | Prioritize people taking transit, walking, and bicycling by including transit-only lanes and protected bicycle lanes. Intersection improvements include new signals to improve pedestrian safety, curb bulbs at select intersections, a transit queue jump to benefit transit speed and reliability, and signal upgrades to improve network connectivity through predictable bicycle and vehicular movements. Protected bike lanes on 1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N are consistent with the Bicycle Master Plan. | Completed 2021 |
| B | 1st Avenue and Broad Street Complete Street Extension | Leverage improvements along 1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N to complete the bicycle connection between the 2nd Ave protected bike lane (PBL) and the future 1st Ave N PBL. The project will also upgrade signals to add a new pedestrian crosswalk at 1st Ave and Denny Way, provide bicycle signals, and enhance transit speed and reliability between 3rd Ave and 1st Ave N. | Completed 2022 |
| C-West | Seattle Center to Waterfront Walking and Biking Connection | Seattle Center to Waterfront Walking and Biking Connection, also known as Thomas Street Greenway West, will construct an all ages and abilities walking and biking connection between the Seattle Center and the Central Waterfront via the Thomas St Overpass. This project will leverage other NODO Project A and Climate Pledge Arena Team improvements along Queen Anne Ave N, 1st Ave N, and Thomas St to improve and highlight the walking and biking connections between some of Seattle's most popular destinations. | Completed 2021 |
| D | Pedestrian Improvements in Belltown | Enhance pedestrian safety and comfort in Belltown at 1st Ave and Battery St, a high-priority pedestrian crossing location. Intersection improvements include a new traffic signal, crosswalks, and potential paint-and-post curb bulbs to shorten pedestrian crossing distance and slow turning vehicles. | Completed 2022 |
| E | Monorail Improvements | Enhance sustainable transportation options, mobility, and convenience for North Downtown residents, workers, and commuters with connections to the Westlake Hub and light rail in downtown. The City Arena Transportation Fund would provide $1 million in seed funding to leverage other partner investments to fund the improvements identified in the Seattle Center Monorail Stations Reconfiguration Evaluation Report (2018). | Completed 2021 |
| F | SR 99 to Waterfront Access and Mobility | Contribution from the Port of Seattle are proposed to help fund SR 99 to Waterfront Access and Mobility project, which supports freight mobility with upgrades along Broad St. | In design, construction planned for 2022 to 2024 |
| G | Denny Way East from 4th Ave N to I-5 | Upgrade 11 signals from 4th Ave N to I-5 to improve operating conditions in this key transit and freight corridor. Upgrades will include updates to signal timing, vehicle detection, and fiber communications to improve traffic flow. | Completed 2022 |
| 1st and Battery Portal Porch | Create a new public space in Belltown at the top of the old Battery Street Tunnel Portal. | Completed 2023 |
Related projects/programs
- Thomas Street Redefined proposes significant changes to the 2013 Thomas Green Street Concept Plan because community members felt its implementation did not match the 2013 Plan's original vision. The three main additions include a half block closure at 5th Ave N and Thomas St that would create a public plaza adjacent to the Seattle Center skatepark; the creation of a 36 feet wide pedestrian and bicycle promenade on the north curb; and a protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St.
- The Oak View Group is the company that redeveloped the Climate Pledge Arena and select related street improvements in the surrounding neighborhood, which were opened in late October 2021.
Background
The purpose of the North Downtown Mobility Action Plan (NODO MAP) is to support access to and mobility through North Downtown (NODO), which includes Uptown, Belltown, and South Lake Union neighborhoods. This action plan will identify and prioritize transportation improvements for all modes building on existing community planning efforts. The NODO MAP is closely linked to the redevelopment of the Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center. The City of Seattle is working with Oak View Group (OVG) as the Climate Pledge Arena developer on this project.
The draft October 2018 North Downtown Mobility Action Plan was prepared in partnership with the North Downtown neighborhoods through a community outreach process from Fall 2017 to Fall 2018. The plan built on existing community planning efforts; reviewed existing community plans and planned projects; identified ways to improve how we move, connect, and experience our streets and public places; and evaluated and prioritized potential projects.Comments to the draft plan, along with review of the funding strategy, and coordination of improvement of the Climate Pledge Arena and other development in the NODO area were incorporated into the final NODO Mobility Action Plan. The December 2019 final action plan identifies and prioritizes transportation improvements for all modes in the NODO neighborhoods, building on existing community plans, with an emphasis of delivering the priority projects in the next ten years.In partnership with the neighborhoods, the Mobility Action Plan will:
- Review existing community plans and planned projects
- Identify ways to improve how we move, connect, and experience our streets and public places
- Evaluate and prioritize potential projects
- Proceed with implementation of prioritized and approved projects
Funding
As part of the Seattle Center Arena Memorandum of Understanding, Oak View Group (the company redeveloping Seattle Center Arena) will contribute $40 million over 39 years to a City Transportation Fund ($1,025,000 each year, with no allowances for inflation). In addition, SDOT and the Port of Seattle are partnering for freight mobility improvements in the North Downtown area, including the corridors for the Ballard Interbay Manufacturing Industrial Center along the 15th Ave W/Elliott Ave W, Mercer St, and Denny Way corridors. SDOT looked at a number of different ways to fund the projects outlined in the plan, including:
- Assigning various project improvements to leverage existing SDOT funding and use the OVG funding to augment existing funding to complete the improvements.
- Borrowing a large sum (or annual borrowing in a series for a similar amount), then using the OVG funding to service the debt (paying back the borrowed principal, with interest and fees included).
- Using a pay-as-you-go scenario, using the OVG funding to closely match the work being completed on a yearly basis.
- A hybrid approach, using one or more of the methods above based on the best suited approach.
In the end, the hybrid approach seemed to make the most sense for funding these improvements. Based on these assumptions, we anticipate nearly $9 million in improvements being made between now and 2021 - with improvements made on a prioritized basis - and around $28 million in the first 10 years when combined with existing programs, mitigation resources, and other funding sources.
Outreach and engagement
Modal Board Presentations and Outreach
- Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board Letter - April 2021
- Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Letter - March 2021
- Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board meeting minutes - February 12, 2020
- Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board meeting minutes - February 5, 2020
New Arena Community Coordination Committee Presentations
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - June 3, 2021
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - March 4, 2021
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - November 5,2020
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - June 4, 2020
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - March 5, 2020
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - December 5, 2019
- New Arena Community Coordination Committee (C3) Presentation - August 1, 2019
April 2018 Open House
In April 2018 we held an open house to share the tiered project list. Our prioritization process got us to the tiered project lists below:
- Bicycle map and project description
- Driving and Goods Delivery map and project descriptions
- Pedestrian and Public Realm map and project descriptions
- Transit map and project descriptions
An important input was knowing the upcoming projects in North Downtown. In addition, we shared information on the Transportation Fund and our overall public outreach and anticipated schedule.
March 2018 Community Meetings
In March and early April, we held a community meeting in each of the North Downtown neighborhoods of Uptown, Belltown, and South Lake Union. Below are the boards from the community meeting, including the new project ideas and maps that attendees voted on.
- Project background information
- Guiding Principles evaluation criteria
- Upcoming projects for all modes
- Transit
- Vehicles and Goods Delivery
- Bicycle
- Pedestrian and Public Realm
November 2017 Workshop
Kick-off Feedback and What's Planned
Several maps highlight the feedback we received at the October project kick-off, indicating the hot spots where participants requested improvements. The feedback boards are followed by maps of SDOT's funded projects as well as projects identified in citywide and neighborhood plans. The maps of what we heard and what's planned are displayed by mode: driving and goods delivery, transit, walking, and bicycling.
Building an Evaluation Framework
Feedback we received at the October kick-off about the project's guiding principles was translated into measures we could use to build an evaluation framework. We asked participants at the November Community Workshop to rate potential measures of success for evaluating projects to achieve our guiding principles, or suggest other potential measures.
Walking and Bicycling Tour Maps
Check out the maps for three different walking tours or a biking tour to explore the neighborhoods on your own. Have comments for improvements along the tour routes? Email them to northdowntown@seattle.gov.Click on the following links to see snapshots of what we heard:
Partners
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