Sidewalk Development Program

Sidewalks are the building blocks of an effective pedestrian network. There are currently more than 2,000 miles of sidewalks in Seattle, yet many areas in the city do not have sidewalks at all.

SDOT is committed to increasing the number of sidewalks in the city. The Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015, helps fund sidewalk maintenance and improvement projects. In addition to local funds, we also look for state or federal grants to build sidewalks.

Information on planned sidewalk projects can be found in our five-year Implementation Plan and Progress Report. You can also learn more about and completed Seattle sidewalk projects by clicking through the interactive map below.

Check out our Seattle Sidewalk Accessibility Guide, the go-to page for understanding our sidewalks and how to help make Seattle a safer, more accessible city.

Current and Completed Sidewalk Projects

Will SDOT build new sidewalks in my neighborhood? 

Given available funding for sidewalk projects, which allows for approximately 25 blocks of sidewalks each year, and the fact that about 24% of Seattle streets (11,000 blocks) are missing sidewalks, completing the sidewalk network will be a very gradual process. Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan identifies a Priority Investment Network that we use to make the difficult choice about where to focus our new sidewalk investments. The network includes streets with high traffic volume with multiple destinations to walk, as well as streets connecting to frequent transit service and streets within a quarter mile of public schools. 

Walkways

Walkways are a cost-effective alternative to traditional “curb-and-gutter sidewalks.” Some walkways can consist of paint, asphalt, or concrete, while others are just designated routes on neighborhood streets. Which walkway treatment is selected for which project depends on several factors, including the space available on the street, drainage needs, impacts to parking, slope, and the location and number of driveways.

We typically install walkways on non-arterial (local access) streets, as they have the lowest traffic volumes, allowing us to install walkways that are safe, comfortable, and inviting spaces. On some arterial (through traffic) streets with an immediate need for a pedestrian route, we might install a walkway as an interim improvement until a full sidewalk, curb, and gutter can be installed.

You can find more information about walkways in our cost-effective walkways factsheet!

Left to right: examples of painted walkways, at-grade concrete walkways with wheel stop delineators, and at-grade asphalt walkways.

Contact Us

Project specific inquiries: If you have a question or comment regarding a specific sidewalks project, please click on the project location in the map above to find the email address for that project.

General inquiries: If you have a question or comment regarding a completed project, or have a general inquiry for the bicycle and pedestrian program, please email us at walkandbike@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-7583.