Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project

Updated August, 2025

What's Happening Now?

We are currently in the early design phase of the Belltown to Seattle Center Connection project. These near-term improvements between Belltown and Seattle Center will enhance safety and accessibility in preparation for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The project extends transportation improvements to provide a safer, more comfortable way to bike and roll between some of Seattle's most popular destinations. We anticipate construction to be completed prior to the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.

If you have any questions or would like to receive project updates, please email our project inbox at belltownseattlecenterconnection@seattle.gov.

See below to learn about the project and upcoming improvements.

Project Area

The protected bike lanes will separate modes of transportation, providing protection for people riding bikes, and improve access to businesses. It will allow people of all ages and abilities (AAA) to safely bike between downtown Seattle and Seattle Center.

2026 FIFA Men's World Cup

Seattle will host six matches at Lumen Field during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The World Cup organizing committee has chosen Seattle Center for Fan Fest, the biggest community event location outside the matches in the stadium. An estimated 750,000 World Cup fans will visit Seattle and Seattle Center's Fan Fest is expected to attract tens of thousands of people. This project will provide an AAA connection between Lumen Field and the Fan Fest at Seattle Center while passing by the many hotels in between.

This map represents bike routes between Seattle Center, Lumen Field, and
hotels in the downtown area. Click here to view the entire bike network.

2026 World Cup Stage Matches in Seattle:

• Monday, June 15
• Friday, June 19
• Wednesday, June 24
• Friday, June 26

2026 World Cup Knockout Matches in Seattle:

• Round of 32: Wednesday, July 1
• Round of 16: Monday, July 6

Additional Information

In support of the One Seattle Climate Action Plan directive to implement high-impact actions, this project will:

• advance the 2013 Climate Action Plan goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• provide a direct, AAA connection between World Cup matches at Lumen Field, downtown hotels, and World Cup Fan Fest at Seattle Center
• aim to have 80% of FIFA match attendees arrive without a personal vehicle
• increase the use of shared micromobility leading up to and during the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup

Project Early Design

The new two-way protected bike lanes on 4th Ave, 4th Ave N, and Broad St will separate people biking from moving vehicles with hardened barriers.

Connecting to Thomas St Greenway

There is an All Walk crossing phase at Broad St, 5th Ave, and Thomas St which stops all vehicular traffic. People biking can also use this pedestrian phase to move through the intersection. Like other downtown intersections, the pedestrian phase is automatic at this location. Bike navigation will be assessed during the design phase.

Early Design Cross Sections

4th Ave from Vine St to Cedar St

4th Ave from Cedar St to Denny Way

4th Ave N from Denny Way to Broad St

Broad St from John St to 5th Ave

Project Elements

All Way Crossing

• A new All Way Crossing allows people walking and rolling to cross in all directions with no vehicle traffic. Vehicle turning movements will improve without conflicts with non-motorized users. The All Way Crossing will make it easier for everyone to get to Seattle Center.

Parking and Loading Zones

• 4th Ave: The parking and loading lane is generally shifted outside of the bike lane (similar to the existing 4th Ave bike lanes). The project will maintain as much parking and loading as possible but needs to remove some to improve visibility at intersections and driveways.
• 4th Ave N: We will remove parking from the west side of the street and change parking from diagonal to parallel on the east side of the street. We will maintain 30-minute parking near the corner of Denny Way to support businesses in the area.
• Broad St: Taxi and charter bus load zones will remain the same on the north side of the street.

Signal Upgrades

• Bike Signals: We will install new bike signals at 4th Ave and Vine St and 4th Ave and Denny Way. At Denny Way, we are proposing to restrict right turns from 4th Ave onto eastbound Denny Way.
• Diagonal Crossing: New bike signals at the diagonal crossing at 4th Ave and Cedar St will safely guide people biking through the intersection. People biking northbound and southbound will have their own protected signal phase.

Timeline

We are currently in the early design phase of the near-term improvements. We anticipate construction to be completed prior to the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.

Funding

This project is funded entirely by the North Downtown Mobility Action Plan (NODO MAP), also known as the City Arena Transportation Fund.

Project Library

Fact Sheet

• የዕውነታ ወረቀት (Amharic)
• Fact Sheet
• Hoja informativa (Spanish)