Denny Way Paving Project

Paving, sidewalk repair and pedestrian ramps

Updated: May 19, 2025

What's happening now?

Paving work on Denny Way has begun! 
We have removed the top two or three inches of existing asphalt from Denny Way using a grinding machine. Over the next few weeks, we will install loops that detect traffic and control the traffic signals. Once this work is complete, we will pave the area with fresh asphalt.

In the coming weeks, there will be more work along Denny between Taylor Ave and Westlake Ave. Our work will reduce the amounts of lanes on Denny Way and close some areas of the sidewalk. If you are travelling in the area, watch for changing traffic patterns, and follow any signs that direct you around work zones.

Map showing work on Denny Way between Dexter Ave and Westlake Ave

Map showing work areas on Denny Way.

What You Need to Know about Lane Closures on Denny Way:  

  • Between 5th Ave and Westlake Ave – Westbound Lane Closures   
    • May 19 to May 23:  Two westbound lanes closed on Denny Way between 9 AM to 3 PM for two blocks at a time as crews install systems that detect vehicles and assist with traffic signal operations
  • Between Dexter Ave to 9th Ave – Westbound Lane Closure
    • May 19 to May 22: One westbound lane of Denny Way closed from 9 AM to 3 PM for sidewalk work.
  • Between 9th Ave to Westlake Ave – Eastbound Lane Closure  
    • May 19 to May 23: One eastbound lane of Denny Way and one southbound lane of Westlake Ave closed from 9 AM to 3 PM for sidewalk work. 

Route 8 Bus Stop Updates

We're building new ADA-accessible pedestrian ramps at Denny Way and Westlake Ave. This will result in temporary bus stop closures between May 27 and June 5 for Route 8 buses near Westlake Ave. You may catch the bus at either Denny Way & Dexter Ave or at Denny Way & Fairview Ave. Thank you for your patience while we work to upgrade access to transit for people with disabilities.

King County Metro Bus Stop Coordination and Route Suggestions

  • Bus Stop Changes: To allow for safe construction, crews will relocate some bus stops through construction requiring riders to use temporary stops. To locate the best alternative stops please visit King County Metro’s website. You can sign up to receive rider alerts directly from King County Metro. You can visit the King County Metro Website to check for changes on their service advisory page.
  • Alternative Route Suggestions: Riders traveling between Capitol Hill, Uptown, and Seattle Center may prefer connecting to other bus routes in Downtown Seattle for more reliable and shorter travel times. Examples include, taking Route 10, 11, 12 or the 1 Line and connecting at 3rd Ave to take Route 1, 2, 13 or the D Line and vice versa.

Please click the link to download a PDF of the project map.

Recent Community Meeting

We recently hosted a virtual community meeting to share more information about the Denny Way Paving Project. You can download the PowerPoint used during that meeting.  

You can access the video recording of the Denny Way Paving Project outreach meeting on YouTube. 

Learn More 

If you would like to get regular updates about the Denny Way Paving project, please sign up for project emails here. This will give you detailed information about construction activities, traffic detours, timelines, and any changes that may affect your neighborhood or travels. Please feel free to share the details of our website and project emails with friends, family, colleagues, or anyone who might be interested in knowing more. The project team is available for briefings to community organizations and employers and can answer questions you might have. 

You can stay up to date by subscribing to our project email list. 

Call us at (206) 257-2243 or email us at DennyWay@Seattle.gov. 

Overview

Seattle’s Denny Way connects Capitol Hill and Interstate 5 to South Lake Union, Downtown and Uptown Seattle as a primary arterial in accessing many of the city’s core  neighborhoods to the west, south and north. It is also a major freight route and a part of the City of Seattle’s frequent transit network. We have begun work to pave approximately 12 blocks of Denny Way to restore the pavement condition in this critical piece of Downtown Seattle’s arterial network. Work will also include sidewalk and curb ramp upgrades, additional signage, and bus stop consolidation.  

Improvements

The Denny Way Paving Project includes:

  • 12 blocks of asphalt paving 
  • 21 rebuilt curb ramps and 8 new curb ramps  
  • 8 total curb bulbs that shorten crossing distances, including 4 paint-and-post curb bulbs, a plastic curb and post bulb, and 3 concrete curb bulbs 
  • 28 "no turn on red" signs  
  • 25 painted stop bars at every intersection with a signal 
  • Sidewalk improvement
  • Hardened centerlines reinforcing existing turn restrictions
  • Bus stop changes to improve transit travel time and reliability   

General Information You Should Know About the Project 

We will: 

  • Perform work during the day, with overnight paving from 7 PM to 6 AM, Monday through Friday. 
  • Do occasional work on weekends. 
  • Close lanes on Denny Way, but you'll have at least one lane open in each direction. 
  • Close sidewalks in some areas, but we'll keep pedestrian access for you. 
  • Implement lane closures lasting 2-3 weeks at a time, covering a few blocks at once.
  • Begin construction on Denny Way between Taylor Ave and Dexter Ave. 
  • Remove old sidewalks, parts of the street, and pedestrian ramps. 
  • Pour new sidewalks, concrete street sections, and build new pedestrian ramps.

Things you should Know About Construction 

You can expect: 

  • Noise, dust, smells, and vibrations during the work. 
  • Changes to your walking route while we work on sidewalks, with clear signs to guide you.    
  • Access to your business will always be maintained. We'll let you know in advance about work and any effects to your business in person. We'll also give you a direct contact for your questions.    
  • Street paving happening between 7 PM and 6 AM Monday-Friday, with some daytime and weekend work if needed.  
  • Parking and loading areas shifting near work zones, though most work happens at night to limit disruptions.
  • Lane shifts along Denny Way near work areas, with signage to direct traffic.  

Project Map

Map showing work area on Denny Way

Please click this link to download a PDF of the project map.

Timeline

Construction has begun and we expect to finish by the end of the year.  

Timeline showing that we are in construction

  1. Planning (2022-2023): We collected data and reviewed plans.
  2. Design (2023-2024): We communicated with stakeholders to inform construction planning. 
  3. Construction (2025): We are now constructing the project and will keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts. 

Learn More

As a high-traffic, active area with a variety of local businesses, residential buildings, frequent bus routes, large truck deliveries, and people walking, biking, and driving, we are committed to working with project neighbors to best coordinate construction timing and impacts as paving involves heavy construction. We are continuing to reach out to people in the neighborhood and are always interested in meeting with community and neighborhood groups that want to learn more about the project and make their voices heard as we prepare for construction in the meantime. You can request a briefing by emailing, DennyWay@Seattle.gov.

Funding

This project is funded in part by the nine-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by Seattle voters in 2015. Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) awarded SDOT $1.45 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) preservation grant funding to complete this project.

We're committed to maintaining a productive, inclusive, and collaborative relationship with all who live, work, or travel in the project area. Please contact us with any questions.

Phone:(206) 257-2243
Email: DennyWay@Seattle.gov

Community Outreach Lead
Darrell Bulmer

Project Manager
Bill Clark

Need a translation?

For information about our work to replace the road surface and make other safety improvements on Denny Way in your language, please call (206) 257-2243

Para información en su idioma sobre nuestro trabajo para reemplazar la superficie de la carretera y realizar otras mejoras de seguridad en Denny Way, llame al (206) 257-2243

Denny Way의 노면 교체 및 기타 안전 개선을 위한 교통국의 작업에 대한 정보를 귀하의 언어로 확인하시려면 (206) 257-2243으로 전화하십시오.

Để biết thông tin bằng ngôn ngữ của quý vị về việc chúng tôi thay thế bề mặt đường và thực hiện các cải tiến an toàn khác trên đường Denny Way, vui lòng gọi (206) 257-2243

有關我們在 Denny Way 上更新路面和進行其他安全改進工作的資訊（以您的語言），請致電 (206) 257-2243。

Project Materials

Transportation

Adiam Emery, Interim 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.