4th Ave S Safety Project

What’s Happening?  

In 2026 and 2027, we plan to make changes on 4th Ave S at S Walker St and S Forest St to make it safer to walk, roll, drive, move freight, and take the bus. At each intersection we plan to:  

  • Add 4-way traffic signals with additional street lighting
  • Add crosswalks and lighting for people who walk and roll  
  • Build bus and curb bulbs that extend the sidewalk area  
  • Plant trees

Why Is This Important?  

We have a Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets. There have been a lot of collisions in this part of SODO and people have lost their lives in fatal crashes. We must do our part to enhance safety and respond to community requests for controlled crossings. 

Traffic signals, crosswalks, and curb and bus bulbs make it easier for people to safely cross busy streets. Curb and bus bulbs also prevent people from parking in front of crosswalks, which – along with new lighting – makes people who walk and roll more visible to people who drive. Plus, traffic signals make it easier for people who drive and move freight to turn left off of 4th Ave S.

Project Area

Project area map showing 4th Avenue South between South Holgate Street to the north and South Spokane Street to the south. The map also shows a few streets running parallel to 4th Ave S, including 3rd Ave S to the west and the SODO Busway and 6th Ave to the east. The intersections of 4th Avenue South with South Walker Street and South Forest Street are marked on the map to indicate where the work will be.

Two people walk north along 4th Avenue South on a sunny day, crossing South Walker Street near the Route 131 and 132 bus stop. Intersection of 4th Ave S and S Walker St looking north

Person walks south along 4th Avenue South, crossing South Forest Street near Denny's Restaurant while cars drive along 4th Avenue South on a sunny day.Intersection of 4th Ave S and S Forest St looking northeast

Project Details

The diagram below shows the changes planned for the project area. Diagrams showing the changes planned for the 4th Avenue South intersections with South Walker Street and South Forest Street. The diagrams show that the northbound bus stop for Routes 131 and 132 will move from the southeast corner of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street to the northeast corner. The diagrams also show the locations of new bus bulbs at the northeast and southwest corners of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street. Bus bulbs essentially widen the sidewalk near the intersections and in this case will be built in the current flex lane, which is used primarily for parking. The bus bulb is long enough to accommodate two buses, one in front of the other. It this new layout, buses will stop in the traffic lane. This reduces delays for people riding the bus, because bus drivers don’t have to wait to merge back into traffic. Beyond the bus bulb, the rest of flex lane can still be used for parking. The diagrams also show the locations of new curb bulbs on the northwest and southeast corners of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street and on all four corners of the intersection of 4th Avenue South and South Forest Street. Like bus bulbs, curb bulbs widen the sidewalk, which makes it easier to see people who walk and roll and shortens the distance and time it takes to cross the street. Like the bus bulbs, the curb bulbs will be built in the current flex lane, though they are about a third of the length of a bus bulb. Beyond the curb bulbs, the rest of flex lane can still be used for parking. Driving lanes will remain the same along 4th Ave S with three northbound lanes, one turning lane, and two southbound lanes. The diagram shows that there will be new crosswalks and curb ramps for people who use wheelchairs or mobility devices on all four sides of the intersections at 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street and 4th Avenue South at South Forest Street. It also shows new 4-way traffic signals at both intersections with metal poles and cross arms to hold the traffic lights. Traffic signals will make it easier for people who drive and move freight to turn left at these intersections and make it easier for people to walk and roll across these streets safely. The cross arms for the signals will also include street lighting to make it easier to see. Finally, the diagram shows that we will plant street trees along 4th Ave S and add lights at the intersections for people who walk and roll. Exact locations for trees and light are to be determined.

Community Engagement 

From November 2025 – May 2026, we met with community members to share information about the project and collect input. We went door-to-door, speaking with businesses and organizations along the 4th Ave S corridor between S Holgate St and S Horton St. We also offered and gave briefings to:  

  • Businesses with complicated or significant freight needs 
  • Businesses and property owners next to the project area
  • Groups that represent people who walk, roll, take the bus, move freight, or have businesses in SODO    

What We Heard

Overall, the majority of people we spoke with were supportive or unconcerned about the project, with the exception of a few businesses and property owners. Their concerns are outlined below. Those who were supportive appreciated that the changes will make it easier to safely cross 4th Ave S.  

Summary of Concerns and Responses 

Traffic congestion and smart signals

  • Concern: Some people worry that adding new signals will create more traffic jams and asked how traffic signals will be synchronized.  
  • Response: The traffic signals along 4th Ave S from S Holgate St to S Spokane St will talk to each other through Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which will maximize efficiency and help keep traffic flowing. Plus, the signal at S Forest St will have east/west cameras so signal length can be adjusted for traffic volumes, and protected left turns will keep traffic moving in the center lanes. 

Trucks blocking driveways

  • Concern: A few businesses shared frustration that trucks waiting to enter Republic Services line up on 4th Ave S and block their driveways, making it hard for customers to get in.
  • Response: This issue cannot be solved through this project alone. However, we have tried a number of approaches and will explore adding "do not block driveways" signs after the traffic signal is built. 

Truck movements in the updated intersections

  • Concern: A couple of businesses worried that the 4th Ave S and S Forest St intersection and curb bulb design will restrict truck access. 
  • Response: We updated the design of the intersection based on this feedback. We widened the entrance to S Forest St and made the curb bulb a little smaller to improve truck access. We also ran an analysis for WB-50 and WB-67 trucks and confirmed that the designs meet national standards. 

Tree maintenance

  • Concern: A couple of businesses worry that the new trees will not survive, or if they do, they will eventually break up the sidewalk or become overgrown.
  • Response: We will plant low maintenance trees that are appropriate for the space and water them for five years. After that, the business or property owner are responsible for trimming the trees if needed. 

Contact Us

If you have questions or thoughts about this project, please email us at: 4thAveSafety@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 207-2282. 

Transportation

Angela Brady, Acting Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.