I-5 Lid Feasibility Study

What's Happening Now?

In January 2025 we announced the authorization of $2.2 million in state and federal funding for the next phase of the I-5 Lid project. This funding will support continued planning and move us closer to transforming the I-5 corridor into a healthy, connected, thriving space for all.

The I-5 Lid project seeks to reconnect neighborhoods in Downtown Seattle by constructing a “lid” over the interstate. This initiative, which began as a grassroots effort, aims to create new public spaces, strengthen community connections, and provide opportunities for housing and development.

Read our blog for more information on the announcement.

The Lid I-5 Coalition is a group of Seattle residents and volunteers advancing the concept of lidding Interstate 5 citywide for parks, schools, affordable housing, and other important public uses. They are sponsored by the Seattle Parks Foundation, a philanthropy-based organization that encourages public-sector investment and private-sector giving to help create, activate, and care for public spaces throughout Seattle.

Join the coalition at these events to learn more about the project and how you can be involved.

Hiring the Best Team
Wednesday, January 15, 5:00 p.m.
Mithun Pier 56, 1201 Alaskan Way #200

Urban Initiatives Integration
Wednesday, February 19, 5:00 p.m.
Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave

Building Partnerships
Thursday, April 17, 5:00 p.m.
Wing Luke Asian Museum, 719 King St.

I-5 Lid Feasibility Study (December 2020, Revised March 2021)

• Summary Report
• Economic and Financial Feasibility Memorandum
• Existing Conditions and Context Memorandum
• Real Estate Market Scan
• Technical Feasibility Memorandum
• Test Case Memorandum
• Department of Neighborhoods outreach report 

Committee Meetings

• Committee Work Session (December 11, 2019)
  • Agenda
  • Presentation
  • Workbook
• Preliminary Structural Feasibility Workshop (August 22, 2019)
  • Agenda
  • Presentation
  • Small group materials
    
  • Summary
• Guiding Principals and Key Study Assumptions Workshop (June 11, 2019)
  • Agenda
  • Presentation
  • Small group materials
  • Look-ahead
  • Work plan
  • Summary
• Orientation and Overview Meeting (March 26, 2019)
  • Presentation
  • Summary

Outreach

• I-5 Lid Outreach Report (August 2019)
• I-5 Lid Outreach Report (July 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Fact Sheet
  • English
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese

Consultant Work

• Questions and Answers (January 2019)

Pre-Submittal Conference

• Meeting at City Hall (December 20, 2018)
  • Summary
  • Sign-in sheet

I-5 Lid Request for Proposals

• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study RFP (December 2018)
• RFP Inclusion Plan Evaluation
• Lid I-5 video with former OPCD Director Sam Assefa (November 2018)

University of Washington Student Studies

• UW Department of Urban Design and Planning Study (New)
  Reconnecting the Emerald City - Analysis and Design Guidelines for the I-5 Lid
• UW Real Estate Finance Study
  Financing options for various lid scenarios developed by students of the University of Washington Runstad Center for Real Estate.