14th Ave W Emergency Vehicle Access Project

Updated: September 4, 2026

What's happening now?

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at the community Q&A session back in May. We really appreciated your questions and ideas.

After hearing from you, we continued to work with the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) to re-evaluate all feasible and cost-effective options that support emergency vehicle access on a narrow street like 14th Ave W. That’s why we are moving forward with a six-month pilot that allows cars to park along the east side (upper side) of the street, as long as they fit within the available right of way without interfering with reliable emergency vehicle access.

We will use new signs and pavement markings to clearly show drivers where vehicles can park within the designated area.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Vehicles under 5 Feet 2 Inches (62 Inches) wide will be able to park in the marked area along the curb.
   • We’ll mark a 5-foot, 2-inch parking area along the curb, with a 4-inch  white line that parked vehicles must keep clear.
   • This design is intended to maintain 9 feet, 6 inches of clear roadway for emergency vehicles.
   • Signs will guide drivers to park within the marked area between the line and the curb.
2. If your vehicle does not fit the marked area, you can’t park.
   • SFD will lead enforcement.

When this is happening:  

• Crews will begin installing the new pavement markings and signs as early as September 15, with work expected to wrap up by September 18. This schedule is subject to change due to weather.
• We’ll post temporary No-Parking signs as early as September 9 to give you time to move your vehicle.
• If your car is parked on the street when we start work, your car will be towed.

Together with SFD, we’ll monitor how well the new design supports reliable emergency vehicles’ access. The results will help inform next steps.

In the coming days, community members on both sides of the street will receive a mailer with this project update. If you have questions about this project, contact Trilce Villalobos at trilce.villalobos@seattle.gov or (206) 584-4038. You can also reach out to the Seattle Fire Department at sfdpio@seattle.gov. 

About the Project 

The Seattle Department of Transportation is making changes to 14th Ave W between Gilman Dr W and W Barrett St to improve access for emergency vehicles. These updates, requested by the Seattle Fire Department, address past challenges where narrow street conditions made it hard for fire trucks to navigate the area.

Here’s how we’re addressing this issue:

Traffic flow changes
We’re switching to one-way traffic on each side of the street. The east (upper side) side will be northbound only, and the west (lower side) side will be southbound only. Right now, cars can drive both directions on both sides of the street.

How will this affect you?

• Only cars under 5 Feet 2 Inches (62 Inches) wide will be able to park in the marked area along the east side (upper side) of the street.
  
  • This side of the street is about 15 feet wide in most locations, with some areas as narrow as 14 feet 8 inches. It reflects older street design standards.
  • Under current City design standards, a minimum of 18 feet is needed to accommodate one-way travel with parking. 
• Parking will remain available on the west side (lowers side) of the street where feasible.
  • Given the street width of slightly more than 17 feet. Although this is less than the current design standard for new streets. Therefore, we anticipate that parking will remain on the majority of the street.

These improvements will make 14th Ave W safer, easier to use, and more accessible for emergency responders. 

Parking on public streets, including in residential areas, is a limited and shared resource. It is not a reliable substitute for dedicated parking. While parking is allowed where possible on residential streets, it must also be balanced with mobility needs and property access. 

 Project Area

Schedule and Construction

• Mid-March: traffic flow changes to be implemented 
• Early September: parking modifications to be implemented

Construction schedules are also subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials.  

Translation and interpretation

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