23rd Ave E Vision Zero Project

Updated: March 30, 2023

What’s happening now?

Project updates

We've completed removing old utility poles and completing the sidewalks at the corners of E Lynn St and 24th Ave E. We're working with King County Metro to temporarily deactivate the overhead trolley wires at the intersection of E John St and 23rd Ave E so we can remove old utility poles at the intersection. Once the poles are removed, we will backfill the areas and pour concrete to complete the sidewalks. We expect this work to happen later this spring. All other major construction on the project is complete. The contractor will also complete small wrap-up (or "punchlist") items.

When we're removing the old ultility poles and pouring concrete for the sidewalks at E John St and 23rd Ave E, people can expect:

Single traffic lane closures and partial sidewalk closures and detours
Temporary street parking impacts and restrictions
Noise and vibrations
Working hours from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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:

Central Area Neighborhood Greenway
SR 520 construction: We're partnering with the WA State Department of Transportation to deliver Neighborhood Traffic Management Projects related to SR 520 construction.
Montlake Bridge closure
Madison BRT - RapidRide G Line
23rd Ave Corridor Improvements

Schedule

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

2020-2021 project email update archive
Construction notice for sidewalk work (November 2021)
Construction notice for E John St closure (October 2021)
Project overview video and slides (October 2021)
Construction poster (October 2021)
Construction notice, 23rd Ave E and E John St (October 2021)
Construction mailer (September 2021)
Potholing postcard (November 2019)
HFST postcard (August 2019)
23rd Ave Vision Zero Project Brochure (June 2019)
HFST Flyer (April 2019)
Construction mailer (July 2018)
23rd Ave Vision Zero Project 2018 Design Documents
Capitol Hill Blog Post (April 2018)
SR 520 Open House display boards (April 2018)
Recommended design mailer (March 2018)
Feedback summary (Fall 2017)
Capitol Hill Blog Post (October 2017)
Comment card (October 2017)
23rd Ave Vision Zero Project Drop-in session display boards (October 2017)
Drop-in session mailer (October 2017)
Montlake Neighborhood Transportation Project Drop-in session display boards (May 2017)
Drop-in session mailer (May 2017)
WSDOT Neighborhood Transportation Mitigation Plan Open House Display Boards (April 2017)

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