Terminal 5 Quiet Zone

Updated August 26, 2024

What's Happening Now?

Construction is Nearing Completion

In partnership with the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and BNSF Railway, construction of the Terminal 5 Quiet Zone project is nearly complete. Currently, crews are performing finishing touches including pouring concrete, final striping and installing signage and bollards, with final paving work at the intersection of W Marginal Way SW and Elder Bernice White Pl (Crossing #3), continuing to just east of Chelan Avenue Southwest, taking place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 

Final signal work will take place in early September (tentatively on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and Wednesday, Sept. 4 or possibly during the week of September 7) also at Crossing #3.

  • Work will take place during typical weekday hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Access through the intersection will remain available during this time. Traffic control will be set up and there may be intermittent delays.
  • The project is currently on-track to be completed before the end of September.

To stay updated, please sign up for email updates.

Project overview

The Terminal 5 Quiet Zone is part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Terminal 5 Improvements Project. Terminal 5 opened in 2022, welcoming more shipping vessels for serving the Puget Sound region and beyond.  

The project includes closing some driveways near Terminal 5 so that trains don't need to use their horns as often, building new traffic signals to improve traffic flow, and upgrading safety equipment at railroad crossings, including adding crossing gates and fencing.

To provide safe and accessible ways for people biking and walking to destinations near Terminal 5, we’re also building a pedestrian path parallel to West Marginal Way SW where there is currently no sidewalk. 

Map of project work

A graphic showing the work area for the Terminal 5 Quiet Zone project. 

Project Schedule

We’re currently in the construction phase. The construction contractor, Merlino Construction, was selected for the project and is beginning construction this summer. 

Design: Completed in January 2023

Construction: Summer 2023 – Summer 2024 (Anticipated)

What to expect during construction

  • Maintained access to businesses
  • Temporary lane closures on West Marginal Way SW   
  • Detours in place for people walking, biking, riding foot scooters, and driving to travel safely around work zones
  • Temporary on-street parking restrictions, with "no park" signs placed 72 hours in advance
  • Flaggers directing people driving, walking, and bicycling through detours around the work
  • Typical construction equipment, materials, noise, workers, dust, vibrations and activity in the area during work hours
  • Typical weekday work hours are 7 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday
  • Weekend and night work as needed

Funding

This project is funded by the Northwest Seaport Alliance as part of its Terminal 5 Improvements Project.

Stay updated

To stay updated, please sign up for email updates

Project Materials

To be posted when available. 

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

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Transportation

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.