City to close 17th Ave NW to thru-traffic starting next week to encourage recreation

Meghan Walker Ballard

As part of Seattle’s Stay Healthy Streets program, 17th Ave NW will be closing early next week to through-traffic* to allow nearby residents to bike, walk, run, or skate close to home.

SDOT is closing another 11 miles of city streets this weekend and next week. Along with Ballard, Lake City, Aurora Licton Springs, and Delridge/Highland Park will see stretches of neighborhood streets closed to vehicles.

The 17th Ave NW closure will span from NW 58th St on the south end to NW 89th St on the north end (click here for a closer look).

Stay Healthy Streets are in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Lake City will be in place today, May 1, and the rest (Ballard, Licton Springs, and Delridge) early next week.

SDOT is also extending closures in the Central District, adding up to a full 20 miles of street closures around the city. The goal, as SDOT says, is to encourage social distancing. “While recreation activities like walking, rolling, running, skating, and biking are all encouraged, we need to make sure people protect their health and their neighbors by keeping six feet apart,” SDOT’s Ethan Bergerson tells My Ballard.

SDOT says they’re seeking volunteers to confirm road closure signs remain in place, conduct pedestrian and bicycling counts, take photos and share vignettes. Those interested in volunteering can email NorthSeattleGreenway@Seattle.gov. The counts will be used to monitor the success of Stay Healthy Streets, along with resident feedback, and any traffic impacts where vehicles are detoured. 

*Note that the street will be closed to through traffic, but people with destinations along Stay Healthy Streets—such as residents, essential workers, emergency service providers, delivery providers, and garbage and recycling collectors—will continue to have vehicle access.

31 thoughts to “City to close 17th Ave NW to thru-traffic starting next week to encourage recreation”

  1. It’s incredibly dangerous to label this as “road closed to vehicles”, when in actuality it’s “roads close to through traffic”. People who live on that street will still be driving on it. I’ve seen so many parents let their kids right right in front of driveways when a car could be leaving.

    Also I’ve seen pedestrians yell at drivers for driving on that road (which is actually allowed). The marketing of this has been extremely botched.

        1. Wow, I may not agree with someone but name calling, and making fun of someone? Especially anonymously. That’s what kids do until they learn better. We are neighbors.

      2. So funny! I find it interesting that many of us disagree on quite a bit here, but we all seem to agree that elenchos2 is a Nutcase.

        2. Wow, I may not agree with someone but name calling, and making fun of someone? Especially anonymously. That’s what kids do until they learn better. We are neighbors.

      3. Wow, I may not agree with someone but name calling, and making fun of someone? Especially anonymously. That’s what kids do until they learn better. We are neighbors.

    2. Totally agree with you. Kids have been playing in the street in front of my house. My car is going to eventually get dinged by a frisbee or a ball. This was an irresponsible decision. No seeming community input/meetings, and no consideration of the downsides. Ironically, this was started due to the stay-at-home order and I have wanted to flee since the street closure due to the increased noise. The neighborhood was peaceful prior.

      2. Yes, the mayor should have considered Frisbee dings. And who knows, one of those shrieking children could have a low-yield nuclear weapon in their bike basket. Open the streets!!!

  2. how about the thriving “parklet” (sounds so cute but really its a chunk of pavement) – will the campers get to stay so they can encourage everyone as they get their exercise?

    1. Just can’t help yourself. Just gotta bring up the homeless.

      I worry that you’re beyond mental help, but you should still seek it.

  3. Would people be OK with government issued uniforms? Like China did up until the 70’s or so? Seems many are just sitting, waiting for our emperor’s marching orders and are very willing to obey. We all need to think, feel and act the same. Easier to be controlled. Simon says “touch your nose”. Simon says “stay indoors”. Simon says “do as I say, all the time”. Simon says “vote democrat”. This is how they do it in China.

  4. Personally I wish this is how this steet was all the time. This is a neighborhood street – vehicles should only be driving on it as necessary as it is! 15th and 20th should be the primary thoroughfares.

      1. Define necessary.

        Rushing back to your computer so you can really stick it to your local Councilmember with one zinger of a username on a neighborhood blog.

        That’ll teach Dan Strauss…to not…um…do the things?

    2. The past week has been awful. Kids playing right in front of my house. People hanging out on the sidewalk in front of my house to talk. The noise level has grown. It will be more time consuming to go anywhere and return in the car because one will have to wait for people to get out of the street. Like it, or not, the residents should have been consulted.

      1. It sounds like the other residents are enjoying it. Maybe you should talk to them and find out what being social is like rather than complaining about children playing you grouch.

  5. Are we asking people to walk down the middle of 17th? It’s a narrow street packed with homes and parked cars. Residents will be driving on the road all day.

    There must be better streets for this that are wider and quieter with less traffic from homeowners. I know the city has planned for a long time for this street to be more for walkers and bikers but I don’t think it’s the best street for this. Not a safe street for this.

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