Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway

Updated: March 8, 2024

Project Overview

Our construction plan separated the project into 2 phases. Phase 1 constructed the southern part  from S Judkins Park to E Columbia St, and was completed in 2021.

Phase 2 construction was delayed while construction was finalized for the future RapidRide G line project on Madison St. Phase 2 will cross E Madison St at a new crossing signal that will be constructed with other improvements for the RapidRide G line project. Once this new signal is in place, the neighborhood greenway will provide a new connection for people walking and biking between E Columbia St and Volunteer Park.

Stay informed by subscribing to our project mailing list and keep checking our website to learn about the latest project updates and public engagement opportunities.

Project Map

What We Heard

How the selected route incorporated feedback from the prior phase of outreach:

• In tandem with the S King St Neighborhood Greenway, we're extending the Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway south to connect the Central Park Trail via 18th Ave S and S Weller St to Washington Middle School and Judkins Park.
• We heard that the new traffic signal to help people walking and biking cross Madison St at 18th Ave was important. We’re going to phase project construction so we get that signal built along with the future RapidRide G line project on Madison St.
• Overall, people gave us positive feedback about the streets we chose for the route. We are proceeding with the selected route as we continue our design process.
• In response to the crash history at 18th Ave S and S Jackson St, we're making changes so this intersection can be safer for all users. This will include making the intersection a right-in/right-out for 18th Ave S.
• We’re coordinating our improvements with those being built by adjacent private development along the route including the hospital.

Phase 1 Construction – Completed in 2021

The first phase of the neighborhood greenway will connect people living and traveling in the southern end of the project area to Washington Middle School and other schools in the area and Swedish Hospital Cherry Hill.

We’re planning to install the following improvements in this area:

• At the intersection of 20th Ave S and S Weller St:
  • New curb ramps on all corners
  • Painted crosswalks
• At the intersection of 18th Ave S and S Jackson St:
  • New traffic signal
  • New curb ramps where needed
  • Painted crosswalks
• At the intersection of 18th Ave and E Yesler Way
  • Repainting crosswalks
  • Bike boxes (behind crosswalks) with improved signal detection for people biking

On 18th Ave between E Cherry St and E Jefferson St, we’re coordinating with the adjacent hospital project to install crossing and traffic calming improvements.

Phase 2 Construction – Beginning Soon!

The second phase of the neighborhood greenway will connect Phase 1 to Madison St, the Seattle World School, Meany Middle School, Capitol Hill business districts, and Volunteer Park. Crossing and signal improvements are planned for this section (see corridor map above), and we’ll share more details regarding these improvements once these plans are finalized and we have a firmer construction schedule.

Project Background

In 2017, we engaged with people in the Capitol Hill, First Hill, Central Area, and Judkins Park communities to help us design a neighborhood greenway that connects residents with schools, parks, local businesses, and the greater transportation network. The new neighborhood greenway will bring affordable, active transportation options for all ages and abilities.

What's a Neighborhood Greenway?

Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority. Neighborhood greenways can include:

• Easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks, flashing beacons, or traffic signals
• Speed humps to calm traffic
• 20 mph speed limit signs
• Stop signs for side streets crossing the neighborhood greenway
• Signs and pavement markings to help people find their way

The Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway project came from city planning efforts and community requests. The Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) calls for neighborhood greenways primarily located on 19th Ave and 20th Ave in the south end and 16th Ave E in the north end. 

Safe Routes to School

We're teaming up with our Safe Routes to School program to deliver an east-west segment of the neighborhood greenway on Capitol Hill. The connection, made up of walk- and bike-friendly streets, will link Lowell Elementary School to Meany Middle School and will be constructed as early as 2019. 

After listening to the community and reviewing traffic data and City transportation plans, we believe the most promising route is E Roy St to 13th Ave E to E Republican St. The route continues east to connect to the existing Central Area Neighborhood Greenway. 

Listening to the Community

In early 2017, hundreds of people gave initial feedback on how the neighborhood greenway should be designed via an online survey, public events, and conversations with the project team. We heard requests for a neighborhood greenway with:

• Connections to get to the Rainier Valley, Judkins Park, Swedish Cherry Hill, Volunteer Park, and 15th Ave E businesses
• A new walk and bike crossing at E Madison St and 18th Ave
• Direct bike route with fewer hills
• Safer crossings at busy intersections

You can view data and see the routes we studied in the first phase of outreach on our display boards.

We then used this community feedback, existing transportation plans, and traffic data to develop a “most promising route” for the Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway. In summer 2017, we returned to community members with a proposed most promising route and asked people to share their thoughts through an online survey. We received general support for this route, with most survey respondents saying that:

• Safety enhancements made through the most promising route will improve safety for everyone and make it more attractive for people walking and biking
• The most promising route connects people to Swedish Cherry Hill, Volunteer Park, and 15th Ave E businesses (as requested by the community)
• The most promising route includes slower speeds on residential streets, safer crossings as busy intersections, and fewer hills to climb (as requested by the community)

Funding

This project was funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015.

Schedule

Spring 2017: Share route options and get feedback
Summer 2017: Share most promising route and get feedback
April 2018: Share selected route
2021: Completed Phase 1 of the neighborhood greenway
As soon as RapidRide G line construction: Build phase 2 of the neighborhood greenway

Materials

• Selected route factsheet (May 2018)
• Most promising route display boards (July 2017)
• Most promising route factsheet (July 2017)
• Most promising route mailer (July 2017)
• Route options drop-in session display boards (April 2017)
• Route options factsheet (March 2017)
• Route options drop-in session mailer (March 2017)