NE 130th & NE 125th Mobility and Safety Project

Updated April 18, 2024

What's Happening Now?

Take our survey to let us know what you think of our planned roundabout at Roosevelt Way NE and 10th Ave NE. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete. 

Roundabout at Roosevelt and 10th Ave NE

We encourage you to sign up for email updates to get the latest information on project activities. Find this project under the ‘Walking & Biking’ topic.

Project Overview

This project map shows the new light rail station and the streets where project elements will be built. The project area starts at NE 130th St and 1st Ave NE, heading southeast along Roosevelt Way NE, and then east along NE 125th St, ending east of Lake City Way NE.

Project limits east of Lake City Way are still under evaluation and may change

We're making changes on NE 130th St, Roosevelt Way NE, and NE 125th St from 1st Ave NE to east of Lake City Way NE. These changes will make it safer and easier for people walking, biking, rolling, and taking the bus in the area. It will also help people get to the new light rail station at NE 130th St near I-5. We expect 90% of light rail riders to get to the new station by walking, biking, or taking transit.

Project Goals

  • Make it easier and safer for people to get to the NE 130th St Infill Station and around the neighborhood
  • Reduce serious injury and fatal crashes and make it easier for people to share the road
  • Improve bus reliability and support new bus service

Project improvements include:

  • Raised12-ft wide shared-use path for people walking, biking, and rolling on the north side of NE 130th St (1st Ave NE to 5th Ave NE) with a planted buffer from 1st Ave NE to 3rd Ave NE
  • Protected bike lanes with concrete barriers on Roosevelt Way NE and NE 125th St
  • Safer street design with one vehicle lane in each direction, a center turn lane, and protected bike lanes or shared-use path. This design reduces conflicts for turning vehicles and improves overall safety. 
  • New roundabout at the intersection of Roosevelt Way NE, NE 125th St and 10th Ave NE to help calm traffic and improve traffic flow
  • Safety redesign of the 3rd Ave NE and NE 130th St intersection to allow right turns out only
  • Bus-focused upgrades to improve frequency and reliability including bus lanes in select areas, bus priority signals, and new or upgraded bus stops
  • Crossing improvements such as leading pedestrian intervals to give people crossing a head start, new signalized crossings and flashing crossing beacons, curb bulbs to reduce crossing distances, crossing islands, and restricting right turns on red
  • Sidewalk repairs and new accessible curb ramps in select locations
  • Traffic calming features, including speed cushions (speed humps) and turn lane medians to prevent passing

SDOT is coordinating with Sound Transit and King County Metro to make these improvements and increase transit access in the area. In addition to the new light rail service, King County Metro is planning new bus service to support access to the NE 130th St Infill Station. We look forward to hearing from you about how this project can help you get safely to/from the new light station and around your neighborhood.  

Environmental Impact

This project will have minor impacts to Northacres Park located between NE 130th St and Interstate 5. Minor revisions at the corner of 1st Ave NE and NE 130th St and near the Interstate 5 on ramp will require permanent changes within the Seattle Parks & Recreation property:

  • Installing new ADA-compliant curb ramps at the corner of 1st Ave NE and NE 130th St that will use approximately 72 square feet of Northacres Park property
  • Rebuilding the sidewalk along NE 130th St near the I-5 on ramp to provide a wider walking space and allow enough room for the updated eastbound vehicle lanes

Minor changes within Northacres Park have been determined to be de minimus under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Act of 1966. A de minimis impact is one that will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities qualifying the property for protection under Section 4(f). Compliance with Section 4(f) is required for projects receiving federal funding.

Project Design

Combined design diagrams (PDF)

NE 130th St: 1st Ave NE - 5th Ave NE

Map showing improvements on NE 130th St from 1st Ave NE to 3rd Ave NE

Map showing improvements on NE 130th St at the I-5 Overpass

Roosevelt Way NE

Diagram showing improvements on Roosevelt Way NE at 8th Ave NE

Diagram of roundabout at Roosevelt Way NE and 10th Ave NE

NE 125th St: 10th Ave NE - east of Lake City Way NE

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Diagram of improvements on NE 125th St

Schedule

A graphic visualization of the timeline written out below

  1. Planning (2023): We talked to community members and businesses to build on previous planning and community engagement work done in the area. Learn more about planning work in the Project Background section.

  2. Design (2024-2025): We are creating and sharing design proposals and gathering community feedback. Visit the Design Proposals section to learn more. 

  3. Construction (2025-2026*): When construction starts, we’ll share the schedule, upcoming activities, and expected impacts.   

  4. Light rail service begins (2026): Sound Transit plans to open the NE 130th St Infill Station and begin service in 2026. Learn more on Sound Transit’s website.

*Construction schedules are subject to change based on crew and material availability.

Project Background

The NE 130th St & NE 125th St Mobility and Safety Project is the result of multiple planning and community engagement processes. We heard from neighbors in Pinehurst, Lake City Way, and other surrounding neighborhoods about your priorities for improving safety and accessibility in your neighborhood. As a result of the NE 130th St & Shoreline South/NE 148th Stations: Multimodal Access Study published in 2020, we secured funding to move forward with this set of improvements that incorporate what we heard from the community.

Below is more information about the early planning efforts for this project.

NE 130th St & Shoreline South/NE 148th Stations: Multimodal Access Study: In 2020, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) worked with community members on a study of areas around two new light rail stations. The community identified key priorities for improvements, including:

  • Upgrade sidewalks, bike facilities, and street crossings in neighborhoods near the future light rail stations

  • Provide walking and biking connections along NE 130th St and NE 145th St

  • Improve the NE 130th St overpass for people walking and biking

 

The study came up with 18 ideas for projects for the two new light rail stations. Three of the ideas (#1, 15, and 17) are part of the NE 130th St & NE 125th St Mobility and Safety Project:

  • NE 130th St Overpass and Shared-Use Path (#1)

  • NE 125th St & Roosevelt Way NE Street Redesign (#15)

  • NE 125th St Transit & Crossing Improvements (#17)

 

130th and 145th Station Area Planning: In 2019, the Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD) started planning for the 130th & 145th (now called the 148th) Light Rail Station areas. This process brought together community members, City of Seattle staff, and other public agencies to talk about the changes these new light rail stations will bring to the region. We heard from the community about the need for:

  • Improved safety for people walking and biking in the area

  • Improved connections to surrounding neighborhoods and light rail stations

  • Better east/west bus connections from adjacent neighborhoods to the light rail station

  • Bus stop upgrades for connecting routes to the light rail station

Nearby Projects

Project Materials

30% design

Transportation

Greg Spotts, 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.