Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N
March 25, 2024
What’s happening now?
We are maintaining Southbound Traffic along Dexter Ave during construction hours and opening the road to both northbound and southbound outside of those working hours. We expect to open the northbound travel lane more permanently in the coming weeks.
We have removed the detour for people riding bikes.
We are working to complete sidewalk and landscape work in the coming weeks, so that we can open those sidewalks for people walking and rolling.
Thomas Street will remain closed between Dexter and 6th Ave for approximately two more weeks as we complete work on bike lanes, curbs and landscaping.
Project Overview
In coordination with Seattle City Light and other adjacent property owners, we will make improvements on Thomas St between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N.
As part of the Thomas Street Redefined concept plan, the design focuses on improvements including a half-block closure at Thomas St east of 5th Ave N, Seattle’s first protected intersection at Denny Ave N and Thomas St, and bicycle facilities between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N.
We initiated the first phase of improvements along this corridor by constructing an interim diverter at Dexter Ave N. This was completed in conjunction with the new traffic signal at Thomas St and 7th Ave N (formerly Aurora Ave N). The purpose of this diverter is to lower vehicle traffic volumes along Thomas St, which has been prioritized for people walking and biking. This improvement changed access to Thomas St from Dexter Ave N and allows Thomas St to function as a right in - right out only street.
Seattle’s First Protected Intersection
The Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N Project includes the installation of Seattle’s first protected intersection, which is designed to support and prioritize safety for non-motorized traffic in the corridor. The protected intersection will include traffic signals to make it safer for people walking and biking to cross Dexter Ave N. It will also provide an important connection in the citywide biking network by linking the greenway on Thomas St to the popular Dexter Ave N bike lanes, as well as extending the connection to the Seattle Center from South Lake Union.
You can learn more about protected intersections by clicking this link.
What to Expect During Construction
- Access to businesses and homes always maintained.
- Partial or full road and sidewalk closures with posted detours.
- Possible parking restrictions near work zones.
- Typical work hours between 7AM and 6PM, Monday through Friday. Some evening or weekend work is likely.
- Typical construction noise, dust, and vibrations will occur.
Project Maps
Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N
The project extent is along Thomas St from 5th Ave N to 9th Ave N and along Taylor Ave N between Thomas St and Harrison St. Most of the improvements in this project will be installed between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N, with some minor improvements between Dexter Ave N to 9th Ave N to connect to the existing protected bike lanes at Dexter Ave N and 9th Ave N.
The this link for a larger image.
Project Background
Thomas St is an important east/west green street and public realm connection, linking the Cascade neighborhood through South Lake Union to the Seattle Center. This project stemmed from the Thomas Street Redefined Plan and is identified in the Bicycle Master Plan as a Neighborhood Greenway.
This project will construct a protected intersection at Thomas St and Dexter Ave N to support and prioritize non-motorized traffic in this corridor, particularly around event times at the Seattle Center. The protected intersection will include a traffic signal to make it easier for people walking and biking to cross Dexter Ave N. This will provide an important connection in the citywide biking network by linking Thomas St to the popular Dexter Ave N bike lanes.
Thomas Street Redefined
Thomas Street Redefined is a community-driven, visionary concept plan for a pedestrian and bicyclist-oriented corridor connecting the Waterfront, Uptown, Seattle Center, South Lake Union, and Eastlake neighborhoods. This project will begin implementation of the Thomas Street Redefined vision by establishing the vehicular use of Thomas St as defined by the vision in coordination with the 7th Ave N project. More intermediate and permanent improvements will follow as early as spring 2020.
Thomas Street Redefined consist of two parts: West of Seattle Center (connecting Seattle Center to the Elliott Bay Trail via Thomas St Overpass) and East of Seattle Center (connecting Seattle Center to Eastlake). This project is the first phase of the East of Seattle Center connection.
Schedule
- Planning (2019-2021): We collected traffic data, reviewed plans, and gathered community experiences to define options.
- Design (2021-2023): We are collaborating with the community, and developing a more detailed final design.
- Construction (as soon as fall 2023): We will construct the project and keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts.
- Project completion (planned for 2024)
Project Materials
Click on the links below:
Construction Flyer (November 2023)