Chinatown-International District & Little Saigon Pedestrian Lighting Project

May 5, 2026

What's Happening Now?

Crews are wrapping up work on South Dearborn Street.
Concrete paving on South Dearborn Street is scheduled for the week of May 11.
Over the May 2–3 weekend, crews began excavation work on the west side of 12th Avenue South between South King Street and South Jackson Street.
- This work includes sidewalk and driveway excavation to install and connect underground conduit for new pedestrian lights along this block.
- During this work, a 4-foot pedestrian path is being maintained so people can continue to reach local businesses.
- The project team also coordinated with King County Metro to temporarily relocate the southbound bus stop at this location during construction.
Crews plan to backfill the sidewalk and driveways after Seattle City Light inspects and approves the conduit connections scheduled for Saturday, May 9.
Concrete work to finish both sides of 12th Avenue South between South King Street and South Jackson Street is expected by the week of May 18, weather permitting.

Project Overview

We are improving street lighting in the Chinatown-International District (CID) and Little Saigon to enhance safety, accessibility, and comfort for all. The project focuses on key areas, including S. Dearborn St. from 5th Ave. S. to the I-5 overpass, S. King St. between 10th Ave. S. and 12th Ave. S., and 12th Ave. S. between S. Main St. and S. Weller St.

Key upgrades include the installation of pedestrian-scale lighting to provide consistent illumination for sidewalks and crosswalks. These upgrades aim to support multimodal transportation, reduce nighttime safety risks, and create a more welcoming and vibrant community environment.

Project Area

Map showing project area and locations of where pedestrian lights will be installed along S Dearborn St, S King St, and 12th Ave S.

Project Background

Seattle’s CID and Little Saigon are neighborhoods that serve as hubs for residents, workers, and visitors. However, many areas within the CID and Little Saigon suffer from inconsistent and insufficient lighting, posing safety and visibility challenges, particularly after dark. These conditions can limit mobility and discourage community activity in public open spaces during nighttime hours. To address this, the project will install pedestrian-scale lanterns that match existing streetlights in the neighborhood, providing a cohesive visual connection between the CID and Little Saigon.

This project addresses these issues by improving lighting and connectivity along a key corridor in the CID and Little Saigon. Through these upgrades, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is advancing the goals outlined in the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP) and Vision Zero Action Plan. Both initiatives prioritize eliminating traffic-related injuries and creating safer, more accessible public spaces for everyone.