23rd Ave E Vision Zero Project

Updated: November 18, 2022 

What’s happening now?

Project updates

The 23rd Ave E Vision Zero project is almost complete! The upgraded signal at 23rd Ave E and E John St is now complete. The new signal provides protected left turns for northbound, southbound, and eastbound traffic. People making a left turn from northbound or southbound 23rd Ave E and from eastbound E John St will have a separated turn lane and dedicated turn signal. 

Later in November, we'll be at E Lynn St to move the bus trolley wires to the new poles at the intersection and remove the old poles. During this work there will be short-term lane closures and a flagger will be on-site to direct traffic. This is the final piece of work for the project. 

Project Overview

We're enhancing safety and mobility on 23rd Ave E/24th Ave E between E Madison St and E Roanoke St as part of our Vision Zero efforts to reach zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. This important street provides access to the Montlake neighborhood, SR 520, and the Montlake Bridge crossing into north Seattle. It is also is a vital street for transit. 

We heard from the Montlake community that traffic calming, reducing speeds, and pedestrian safety are the top transportation priorities on 23rd Ave E/24th Ave E. In 2020, we updated several project design elements based on this feedback. We installed skid-resistant surface treatments, enhanced transit stops, new and upgraded traffic signals, modified parking, repaired sidewalks, and new curb ramps and crosswalks. Improvements along the corridor include:

New crosswalks, pedestrian signal, and curb ramps at E Lynn St

This new signal helps people walking, biking, and rolling safely cross the street by stopping car traffic at the signal. 

New walk and bike signal improvements at E Lynn St

A picture of a street with a traffic signal and crosswalk.

Photo of the new pedestrian signal and crosswalks at E Lynn St

Upgraded signal at E John St with new protected left turns (northbound, southbound, eastbound), new curb ramps, and marked crosswalks 

Protected left-turn signal phases improve safety at the intersection by reducing opportunities for collisions. In addition, new signal heads and upgraded signal arms enhance safety by improving visibility of the signals. 

Rendering of new protected northbound, southbound, and eastbound left-turn signals at the intersection of 23rd Ave E and E John St

A picture of an intersection with crosswalks and a traffic signal.

Photo of the upgraded intersection at E John St

2 striped curb bulbs at E Louisa St and E Ward St with high friction surface treatments

Curb bulbs reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions by increasing the visibility of vulnerable users - people walking and biking - and decreasing the distance they have to travel to get across the street.  

We also added high friction surface treatment at intersections where collision rates are high, including at E Louisa St and E Ward St. This treatment provides a thin layer of coarse material on top of the street to improve traction on wet and/or slippery streets. 

 2 striped curb bulbs at 24th Ave E/E Louisa St and 23rd Ave E/E Ward St    

A picture showing a street with curved white lines painted and white posts in the street.

Photo of painted curb bulb and posts at E Louisa St

 2 striped curb bulbs at 24th Ave E/E Louisa St and 23rd Ave E/E Ward St

A picture showing a street with curved white lines painted and white posts in the street and a stop sign.

A picture showing a street with curved white lines painted and white posts in the street.

Photos of painted curb bulbs and posts at Turner Way E

Bus stop improvements

We made improvements to bus stops, including repairing sidewalks, relocating to more convenient locations, and adding amenities like bus shelters. 

A picture of a sidewalk that has sections that extend all the way to the edge where the sidewalk meets the street.

Photo of the northbound bus stop at E Roanoke St with new areas for people to enter the bus at both the front and back  

A picture of a building with a bus stop and bus shelter in front of it.

Photo of the relocated and upgraded bus stop near the Montlake Library 

Street Redesign 

Data shows that people driving northbound between Boyer Ave E and E John St on average speed 10 MPH over the speed limit. The posted speed is 25 MPH. The chances of someone being fatally or seriously injured increase significantly being struck at 40 MPH versus 30 MPH.

Modeling and experience indicated we could redesign the street from 2 northbound lanes to 1 northbound lane without having a significant impact on traffic. The change improves safety by encouraging speeds closer to 25 MPH. We redesigned the street between E John St and Boyer Ave E to have 1 lane of northbound traffic. This change was implemented in 2018. We are continuing to monitor traffic in the area.  

Speed signs

Design Map

Project area map showing locations of project improvements.

Other projects in the neighborhood:

Schedule

Graphic showing project schedule: planning in 2017, design in 2018, construction of segment 1 in fall 2018 and construction of segment 2 in 2021.

Summer 2017

Share what we heard to date and suggest possible near-and long-term alternatives

Spring 2018

Share conceptual design of near-term safety improvements

Summer/Fall 2018

Segment 1 construction of recommended design (E John St to Boyer Ave E) completed

2019

Installation of skid-resistant surface treatments at intersections with high collision rates

Complete design for Phase 2 additional improvements along the corridor

2020*

Continue design for Segment 2 additional improvements along the corridor

*Project put on pause in June 2020 in response to COVID-19 budget shortfalls 

2021

Complete design for Segment 2 additional improvements along the corridor 

Begin construction of Segment 2 improvements  

2022

Complete project construction  

Funding

This project is funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015, the City general fund, and through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District.

Materials

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