Washington Middle School Connection

Updated November 2024

What's Happening Now?

We completed upgrades along the Washington Middle School Connection. These improvements included pavement repairs and updated curb ramps at 21st Ave and E Alder St, as well as 21st Ave and E Terrace St. We also added speed humps and new signage along the Neighborhood Greenway to help make the route safer and easier for everyone to use. 

Two workers performing pavement repairs

Workers performing pavement repairs

Project Overview

The Washington Middle School Connection (21st Ave) Neighborhood Greenway enhances safe access for students walking and biking to Washington Middle School. It also connect residents to local parks and businesses as well as the citywide transportation network. It connects with the existing Central Area North-South Neighborhood Greenway, the existing Central Area East-West Neighborhood Greenway at E Columbia St, the Central Ridge Neighborhood Greenway, and the S King St Neighborhood Greenway. The new neighborhood greenway brings affordable, active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities.

This work was done in three phases.

· Phase one: Installation of improvements at key crossings, including some interim paint and post improvements

· Phase two: Replacement of paint and post improvements with permanent improvements

· Phase three: Installation of neighborhood greenway route improvements including speed humps, wayfinding signs, and pavement markings

4 way stop

Selected map route

Project Background

In winter of 2018, the Safe Routes to School program worked with parents and students at Washington Middle School to identify a Neighborhood Greenway route to serve students who currently bike to school along 21st Ave. This Neighborhood Greenway coincides with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative. Starting in 2016, Seattle Parks and Recreation Greenways Initiative provides projects and programs to connect, enhance and activate links from Neighborhood Greenways to Parks by improving access and amenities for pedestrians and bicycles. The new Neighborhood Greenway connects to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Central Park Trail (Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park and Judkins Park) project. This initiative made repairs to the pathway in the Dr. Blanche Lavizzo park to improve safety for bicyclists. 

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.

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, flashing beacons, or traffic signals

Children riding bicycles

Materials

Transportation

Angela Brady, Acting Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.