Modernizing 80th and 85th Street Signals

Updated August 14, 2026

Project Overview

This project will maintain and upgrade existing signals along N 80th and N 85th streets to improve how traffic moves through the area. The upgrades will improve signal timing and help reduce delays for people driving, transit, and freight.  The goal is to improve how the signals work so they better match current traffic demand, reduce long waits at red lights, and help buses and freight move more reliably through these busy corridors. 
 
It will connect signals to the Transportation Operations Center, allowing staff to monitor traffic with cameras and adjust signal timing in real time. This will help signals respond more effectively when traffic conditions change or when crashes affect nearby streets or freeways. Some intersections will also receive curb ramps, crosswalk improvements, leading pedestrian intervals, and accessible push buttons. Together, these changes will make it safer and easier for people to walk and cross the street. 

In summary, this project will: 

• Allow staff to monitor traffic and adjust signal timing in real time 
• Help keep buses on schedule  
• Keep travelers of all modes moving through the area
• Upgrade select sidewalk, curb ramps, and crossings

 This project represents SDOT’s commitment to maintaining and modernizing existing infrastructure, in line with the Seattle Transportation Plan’s priorities for high-use transit and freight corridors. 
 
This project is a Levy deliverable project and partially funded by the 2024 Levy to Move Seattle  

The project supports several initiatives and department values.

• Safety: A Vision Zero momentum-building action resulting from the 2023 Top to Bottom Review, accelerating leading pedestrian interval (LPI) rollout. Between 2009 and 2018 we saw a 34% reduction in serious injury and fatal pedestrian crashes in locations with LPI. 
• Mobility: Route 45 connecting Greenwood and Aurora Licton Springs to the Roosevelt Link Light Rail Station runs along 85th St and transfers with Route 40 and RapidRide D in Crown Hill, Route 5 in Greenwood and RapidRide E at Aurora Ave. In an area expected to see a 30% increase in housing by 2035, reliable bus service attracts riders and keeps them using it.
• Sustainability: Curb ramps and sidewalk upgrades make it easier for people to walk and roll to destinations throughout the neighborhoods and catch the bus.
• Equity: According to Seattle’s Race and Social Equity Index, neighborhoods north of 85th St are mid to second highest in equity priority. The census tract that includes Greenwood Ave N has a 33% rate of workers commuting on public transportation.
• Livability: Keeping people and goods moving reliably on Seattle streets and minimizing congestion at signals reduces exposure to car pollution around homes, a senior center, an elementary school, and small businesses all adjacent to these two arterials.
• Excellence: Leveraging local dollars for grant investments that modernize traffic signals to support bus reliability, real-time traffic management, capacity for safety adjustments, and the reliable movement of people and goods helps us meet the expectations of the communities we serve today and in the future. 

Project Background

Many of Seattle’s traffic signals are more than 20 years old and no longer meet the neighborhood’s transportation needs. Upgrading these signals will help reduce delays for transit and other vehicles. It will also make it safer and easier to cross the street by shortening wait times for people walking.  

When signals are connected to the Transportation Operations Center, staff can monitor traffic with cameras and adjust signal timing in real time. This helps signals respond more effectively when traffic conditions change or when a crash affects nearby streets or freeways. It will also help city crews respond more quickly to changing conditions and emergencies, and allow staff to update pedestrian signals as needed. And as more and more people rely on delivery service keeping freight moving on minor and major truck streets helps drivers reach their destinations on time. The east-west streets not only provide service for freight and people driving, but include Metro Route 45 connecting to Metro’s Bus Rapid Transit lines on 15th Ave NW and on Aurora Ave N, and Route 5 on Greenwood Ave N. These are some of King County’s busiest transit routes, and signal upgrades will help keep transit moving more reliably and implement additional improvements in the future.  

Overall, these improvements will help buses stay on schedule, keep people moving, and make it safer to walk and bike. 

Project Location

Community Outreach

We will be conducting outreach to neighbors throughout 2026-2027 as we go through the design process. 

Timeline

We are currently in early design. We anticipate  final design to be complete as early as December 2026. 
 
Construction could start as early as Spring 2027.  

Funding

This project is being funded primarily by a $3.5 million federal grant. A little additional funding was set aside to conduct a Complete Streets Analysis alongside the project to identify additional corridor improvements to be planned for future projects in the area. Early engineering of this project was funded by an $845,000 federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant and a contribution from the Levy to Move Seattle.