6th Ave NW Neighborhood Greenway
Updated March 12, 2024
What's Happening Now?
Construction has begun on the first stage (of three) for the 6th Ave NW Neighborhood Greenway! We recently completed crossing improvements on Leary Way NW at NW 43rd St to improve safe access for people biking.
A woman pushing a stroller and a bicyclist use the new safety improvements to cross.
The 6th Ave NW Neighborhood Greenway will connect West Woodland Elementary School and the existing neighborhood greenway on NW 58th St. We anticipate the rest of the neighborhood greenway will be constructed in 2024.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION:
Typical construction hours are weekdays, 7 AM to 5 PM, with occasional weekend and night work. Other expected construction effects may include:
- Noise, vibration, dust, and debris
- “No Parking” areas and temporary driveway and parking impacts for construction staging near the work sites
- Crosswalk and sidewalk closures, and detours for people walking and biking
- Roadway closures and detours for vehicle traffic
- Changes in construction schedule due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e., weather, soil conditions, etc.)
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Project Overview
In early 2019, the Ballard, Phinney Ridge, West Woodland, and Fremont communities proposed the idea to develop a segment of 6th Ave NW as a neighborhood greenway. They envisioned a route that would connect residents to nearby schools, parks, and businesses as well as the citywide transportation network, including the Burke-Gilman Trail. The community submitted their idea to the Your Voice Your Choice program. In September, 2019, the public voted to prioritize District 6 funds for the project.
The new neighborhood greenway will bring affordable active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities. The south end of the 6th Ave NW Neighborhood Greenway will connect to a crossing signal at NW 43rd St across Leary Way NW. Pedestrian and bicycle improvements at this crossing were funded by Neighborhood Parks and Street Fund money in 2015. The signal provides a popular way to access the Burke-Gilman Trail from the Phinney Ridge, West Woodland, and Fremont neighborhoods.
In early 2023, the Your Voice Your Choice program completed its work by installing speed humps and adding/adjusting "Stop" signs for the east-west cross streets. The remaining neighborhood greenway elements will be completed in 2024 as part of extending the corridor north to NW Market St.
Learn more about the projects we're coordinating with:
- Your Voice Your Choice District 6 Projects
Proposed Intersection Improvements
NW Market St at 6th/5th Ave NW
Improve existing crossing signal for people walking, biking and rolling across NW Market St
- Install curb ramps
- Improve ability for people biking to cross NW Market St by installing
- Bike push buttons
- Bike waiting zones separated from vehicle traffic with shielding islands
- Revise vehicle operation to right in / right out only for 6th Ave NW and 5th Ave NW through the extension of the existing median island and updating signs and pavement markings
- Mailboxes on the SE corner will be relocated to improve accessibility from the sidewalk
NW 50th St at 6th Ave NW
Improvements for the safety of people biking, rolling, and walking through this offset intersection
- Add new speed humps on NW 50th St and 6th Ave NW to slow down approaching traffic
- Add painted curb bulbs
- Add new stop signs
*Click here or on the image above to view at a larger size
Leary Way NW at NW 43rd St
Improvements to existing signalized crossing
- Improve safe access for people biking to the existing bicycle push button by adding a protected bike lane in the eastbound direction
- Refresh pavement markings and signs to clarify allowable vehicle movements
- Add bike dots on the crosswalk
- Add one painted curb bulb and stop sign on the SE corner of NW 43rd St and 7th Ave NW
- No change to vehicle access or movements
What is a Neighborhood Greenway?
Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority. The new neighborhood greenway will bring affordable, active transportation options for all ages and abilities.
Neighborhood greenways can include:
- 20 mph speed limit signs
- speed humps to calm traffic
- stop signs for side streets crossing the neighborhood greenway
- signs and pavement markings to help people find their way
- easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks, curb bulbs, flashing beacons, or traffic signals
Materials
- 6th Ave Factsheet_Revised (February 2024)
- 6th Ave Mailer (December 2023)
- 6th Ave NW Neighborhood Greenway Mailer (January 2020)