Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project
Updated July 28, 2025
What's Happening Now?
We are currently in the early design phase of the Belltown to Seattle Center Connection project. We anticipate construction to be completed prior to the FIFA 2026 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.
Overview
The Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project (4th Ave Protected Bike Lane Extension) is part of the North Downtown Mobility Action Program. The purpose of this project is to extend the 4th Ave protected bike lanes (PBLs) and close a gap in the regional bike network. This project will build a new two-way PBL from Vine St to 5th Ave N and Thomas St via Broad Street. The new bike lanes align with our ongoing efforts to improve how we move through our streets and public spaces, as outlined in the North Downtown Mobility Action Plan.
Project Area
The Belltown to Seattle Center Connection project extends transportation and safety improvements in the area around the Belltown neighborhood and Seattle Center.
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.
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 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.
Please click this link to download a PDF of this diagram map.
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 project. 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.