E Union St Protected Bike Lane

Updated: May 2, 2021

What’s happening now?

Update: Due to forecasted rain this weekend, May 1 - 2, and to accommodate previously planned paving work on E Union St between 18th Ave and 20th Ave, we are rescheduling the construction to the weekend of May 22 - 23 (weather dependent)*.

We will be installing a protected bike lane on both sides of E Union St between 14th Ave and 26th Ave and an uphill protected bike lane with downhill sharrow (permanent marking on the road to indicate shared lane between vehicles and bicycles) between 26th Ave and MLK Jr Way. A construction notification has been sent to neighbors along the corridor. 

*Please note this work is weather dependent and is subject to change. 

What to expect during construction:

  • To expedite and complete this work within one weekend, we will restrict parking on both sides of E Union St between 14th Ave and MLK Jr Way from 6 AM on May 22 to 10 PM on May 23. Please follow no-park signs to avoid towing.
  • Typical work hours are 7 AM - 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday
  • Construction noise, dust, and vibration
  • Access to businesses and homes will be maintained at all times 
  • There will be temporary pedestrian and bike detours around the work zone and staging area

This project was originally scheduled to be constructed in fall 2020, but was delayed to accommodate King County Metro's work. King County Metro has completed its overhead trolley wire realignment work along E Union St per its safety protocol. 

For comments or questions about the E Union St Protected Bike Lane project, please email us or reach us by phone: (206) 257-2202. Click here for more local resources for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Project Overview

Seattle has a Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) which provides a framework for improving the bicycling environment throughout the city. The BMP recommends E Union St for a protected bicycle lane (PBL). SDOT evaluated multiple east/west bicycle routes to help connect to existing bike facilities and improve the overall bicycle network. SDOT evaluated multiple east/west bicycle routes, and the Union St PBL was the community's preferred bicycle improvement.

Project Goals

  • Enhance safety by upgrading the existing bicycle lanes
  • Retain as much parking as possible along the corridor
  • Improve transit speed and reliability
  • Provide a comfortable and predictable bicycle connection between Broadway, the Central District, and MLK Jr Way

Project Elements

  • Upgrade the existing bike lane into a parking protected bike lane (PBL) from 14th Ave to 26th Ave
  • Add an uphill PBL and a downhill sharrow lane from 26th Ave to Martin Luther King Jr Way

Project Area

Project area map

Benefits

  • Improve travel experience for people biking, walking, and driving, including freight and bus operators
  • Reduce collisions to help us achieve our Vision Zero goal

Parking and Bus Stops

  • This project will minimize impacts to parking spaces on E Union St
  • King County Metro will consolidate a few bus stops on E Union St to help keep buses moving and on-time
  • The stop consolidation plus the relocation of a school bus zone will increase parking along E Union St

Updated Design Concept

What we heard

During our 2019 outreach we heard the following themes:

  • Support for implementing the PBL.
  • Concern about the PBL not crossing 23rd Ave.
  • Need for increased safety near schools. 
  • Interest in reducing impacts to bus stops and routes.
  • Need for increased pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Design updates:

We've updated the design based on public input. Key updates include:

  • A complete PBL connection through the 23rd Ave intersection.
  • Maintain all loading zones and minimize impacts to parking.
  • Relocation of a school bus loading zone onto 18th Ave.
  • Lowering the corridor speed to 25 miles per hour.

Project map showing updated design.

We will continue to refine this design into spring 2020. We are working to minimize impacts to parking and bus stops, but we may need to make additional changes to meet the city's safety and operational standards.

PBL concept (14th Ave to 26th Ave)

Bi-directional protected bike lane concept with two parking lanes

Uphill PBL/downhill sharrow concept (26th Ave to Martin Luther King Jr Way)

Uphill protected bike lane with downhill sharrow concept with two parking lanes

Funding

This project was funded by the voter-approved Move Seattle Levy. Learn more about the Levy to Move Seattle.

Outreach & Schedule

Early - Mid 2019: Planning

Mid 2019 - Mid 2020: Design

Spring 2021: Construction

Resources

Please Support Local Businesses

Businesses will remain open and accessible during our scheduled construction work. Please continue to support local businesses in person or virtually via Central Area Collaborative and Intentionalist. The Central Area Collaborative is partnering with Intentionalist to support Black-owned and small businesses in the Central District neighborhood.

Walking and Biking Maps

  • The Seattle Walking Map was designed to help Seattle residents and visitors choose a walking route that best suits their interests and fitness level.
  • The Seattle Bike Map presents information about cycling in Seattle in a clear, easy-to-use, and friendly format.

Seattle Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedstrian Program

Pedestrian and Bike Safety Education Videos on YouTube

  • Cascade Bike Club's Let's Go program is provided as an online series of videos to help kids grades 3-5 learn about pedestrian and bike safety.

Bike Works BikeMobile: Friday 12 - 5 PM - Judkins Skate Park (4/9, 4/23)

  • From spring through fall, the BikeMobile travels around the Seattle area, primarily visiting areas designated as "bike deserts," where bike shops are few and far between. All repair services performed by the BikeMobile are available for free or on a sliding scale.
  • Please check their online calendar to find out where the BikeMobile will be and follow #BikeMobile on social media.
  • Please note: Essential repairs only (all other repairs will be referred to their bike shop). 

Materials

Spring 2021

Winter 2020

Spring 2019

Translations

If you need this information translated, please call (206) 257-2202.

Si necesita traducir esta información al Español, llame al (206) 257-2202.