23rd Ave E Vision Zero Project
Updated: July 25, 2023
What’s happening now?
Project updates
The 23rd Ave Vision Zero project is complete. The contractor completed the final punchlist work in July 2023. You can find more background information about the project on this webpage.
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.
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.
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.
Photo of painted curb bulb and posts at E Louisa St
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.
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
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.
Design Map
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
2023
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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