11th Ave NE & 12th Ave NE Paving & Safety Project
Updated: March 27, 2023
What's Happening Now?
The 11th Ave NE and 12th Ave NE paving & safety project is nearing final design. We're reaching out to stakeholders and project neighbors to share information about paving, street safety design changes, and how the project fits into Seattle’s transportation network.
The design includes on-street parking removal and we’re trying to engage with businesses about load zone changes and how to support them.
Overview
The 11th and 12th Ave NE paving project was originally included as part of the RapidRide J Line project. In 2020, as Covid-19 reduced budgets, the RapidRide J Line was amended to stop service at the U District light rail station instead of the Roosevelt station as originally planned. Updates were proposed for a new street design for 11th and 12th Ave NE based on community feedback during outreach for the J Line project.
With the shortening of the RapidRide project, we moved the safety and maintenance elements of that project into a separate paving project. Now part of SDOT's Arterial and Asphalt and Concrete (AAC) Paving Program, we'll pave approximately 1.8 miles of 11th and 12th Ave NE to make it safer and more comfortable to travel on, and to extend the useful life of the street.
This project includes:
- Paving between NE 43rd St and NE 67th St
- New, accessible curb ramps
- Spot sidewalk repair
- Traffic signal adjustments
- New street safety design, including a new northbound protected bike lane that complements the existing southbound protected bike lane on Roosevelt Way NE
Construction for this project is expected to begin in late 2023 and finish in 2024.
Outreach & Project Design
This project is part of our Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Traffic collisions are preventable through smarter street design, targeted enforcement, and thoughtful public engagement.
Together, we can make Seattle’s streets safer for everyone. In the last 5 years, this project area has experienced a considerable number of injuries from collisions [from 2018].
- Vehicle volumes: 4,000 – 5,500 per average weekday
- Vehicle speed: 21 MPH (85th percentile speed)
- Collisions: 144
- Injury crashes: 50
- Serious injuries: 1
- Fatalities: 0
In addition to taking community feedback, we analyzed traffic and parking data and reviewed freight, transit, bike, and pedestrian master plan recommendations. All these factors informed our designs; therefore, we are adding various safety features to this project, including protected bike lanes and updated traffic signals.
Safety has informed the parking design too, and we are removing parking from one side of the street, while introducing 24/7 parking to the remaining parking spaces so people don’t need to move their cars daily. This project will also include other measures to improve safety and improve all transit options.
Project Map
Click this link to enlarge the image
What to expect during construction
Construction is expected to begin as soon as summer 2023 and continue through fall 2024. We will send regular email updates with information on upcoming construction activities. We encourage you to sign up for email updates to stay informed on project activities.
Typical construction hours are weekdays from 7 AM - 5 PM, with occasional nighttime and weekend work.
During construction, people can expect:
- Temporary lane and street closures for people driving. Detours will be provided and signed.
- Temporary sidewalk and crossing closures for people walking and rolling. Detours will be provided and signed.
- Temporary local access only restrictions in some areas
- Disruptions to on-street parking
- Noise, dust, and vibrations during work hours
- Construction equipment staged in the work area
- Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times to businesses and residences
Schedule
The project is reaching final design. See below for our anticipated project timeline for 11th Ave and 12th Ave NE paving & safety project. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
- Summer 2023 - Construction begins
- Fall 2024 - Construction completion
How Can I Get Involved
We're always interested in meeting with community and neighborhood groups that want to learn more about the project and make their voices heard. You can request a briefing by emailing 11th12thPaving@seattle.gov.
Funding
This project is part of SDOT's Arterial and Asphalt and Concrete (AAC) Paving Program. Design and construction of our paving projects, as well as the safety and mobility improvements shown, are funded by the Levy to Move Seattle, approved by Seattle voters in November 2015. We also seek additional funding through grants, when available. Learn more about the levy.
Project Materials
To view a PDF of project-related materials, please click on the links provided below: