The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has finished the 15th Ave W/NW and Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project.
Construction began in summer 2024 and wrapped this fall with the activation of a new pedestrian and bike signal at NW 51st St and 15th Ave NW. SDOT says the upgrades were designed to make it easier to walk, roll, bike, and take transit in and around the Ballard area, while preserving key pieces of city infrastructure.
Among the most significant improvements were the repaving and preservation of the 108-year-old Ballard Bridge and seismic strengthening of the Leary Way Bridge just to the north of the Ballard Bridge. The project also included replacing expansion joints, repaving 1.1 miles of roadway, adding and upgrading sidewalks and curb ramps, installing new crosswalks, planting trees, and creating a landscaped median between NW 50th and NW 54th Streets to help calm traffic.
The new signalized crosswalks were installed to make it easier to access bus stops and connect the Ballard Avenue Landmark District with the Ballard Brewery District. These improvements were supported in part by the voter-approved 2015 Seattle Transportation Levy (Levy to Move Seattle) and the Seattle Transit Measure.
Photo: SDOT