The 17th Avenue NW Greenway project is underway and the City has released an update on the construction progress. Construction started at the end of last summer and is scheduled to conclude in early 2016.

For more information visit: www.seattle.gov/transportation/BallardGreenway.htm

Construction and the weather
Please keep in mind that much of the construction associated with the greenway is weather dependent. Now that we are in the rainy season, the contractor may need to shift the construction schedule. Crews may do demolition, site preparation and sign installation when it’s raining. They will use dry days to pour concrete and asphalt and to install pavement markings.

NW 85th St and 17th Ave NW construction update
The final work to be done at this intersection includes pouring concrete and asphalt, both of which require dry days. Weather permitting crews may complete this work as early as mid-November. The south side of the intersection will then be reopened to through traffic.

NW 65th St and 17th Ave NW - Construction has begun
Construction has begun on the south side of the intersection at 17th Ave NW and NW 65th St and will take approximately 4-5 weeks to complete. During this time, traffic lanes on NW 65th St have been shifted to the north to maintain two-way traffic and accommodate the work zone on the south side of the intersection. Southbound access to 17th Ave NW from NW 65th St is closed to through traffic. Those needing local access to 17th Ave NW are encouraged to use NW 64th St via 15th Ave NW or 20th Ave NW.

When the south side of the intersection is complete, SDOT’s contractor will begin work on the north side of the intersection (as early as November 18, weather permitting). At that time, traffic lanes on NW 65th St will be shifted to the south to maintain two-way traffic and accommodate the work zone on the north side of the intersection. Northbound access to 17th Ave NW from NW 65th St will be closed to through traffic. Those needing local access to 17th Ave NW are encouraged to use NW 67th St via 16th Ave NW.

On both the south and north sides of the intersection, crews will install curb extensions and new curb ramps that are compliant with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Later this fall, crews will return to stripe crosswalks and install a crossing beacon.

Safety island at the intersection of NW 57th and 17th Ave NW
During design of the greenway, we heard safety concerns about traffic circulation and vehicle volumes and speeds along 17th Ave NW near the Ballard post office. After careful consideration, we concluded that installing a safety island and restricting northbound through traffic for one block of 17th Ave NW between NW 57th and NW 58th streets was important not only to reduce cut-through traffic on the greenway, but also to improve safety and preserve the residential character of the neighborhood.

With the installation of the greenway on 17th Ave NW, people driving are encouraged to use arterial streets, such as 15th Ave NW and 20th Ave NW, which are designed for higher volumes of traffic.

We are working with the United States Postal Service to discuss options to improve safety and provide easy mail drop-off.

Sign installation
As early as November 12, crews will install signage along the greenway. This will include signs notifying users that they are on the greenway, speed limit signs, and signs that give advance warning of speed humps. Crews will also be installing stop signs on most of the streets that cross 17th Ave NW.

Speed hump installation and markings
Speed humps on 17th NW between NW 90th St and NW Market St have been installed and marked. The crew will return later this fall to install and place markings on the speed humps south of NW Market St.