Yesler Way Protected Bike Lane
September 25, 2024
What’s happening now?
We'll begin construction of the Yesler Way Protected Bike Lane in spring 2025.
We're working to make intersections safer for people walking, biking, and rolling, and modernize 1st Ave and Yesler Way. This project will separate people biking from vehicular traffic and connect the new Waterfront trails to the Center City Bike Network on 2nd Ave so people safely and intuitively get to jobs, opportunities, and destinations downtown.
We are committed to working with the Pioneer Square community to expand the pedestrian and bicycle network while maintaining vehicular access and traffic ciculation in and around Pioneer Square.
Nearby Projects
- Pioneer Square East West Pedestrian Improvements (construction close-out)
- 3rd and Yesler Safety Improvements (in construction)
Questions?
If you have any questions about the project, please call: (206) 450-6594 or email us at Ching.Chan@seattle.gov.
If you need translation services, please call (206) 450-6594 and leave a message clearly stating the language you prefer.
Project Map
Project area map
Zoomed-in map showing proposed changes on Yesler Way between Western Ave and 2nd Ave.
Project Need and Background
Following the construction of the waterfront bicycle path and protected bike lanes on the short block of Yesler Way between Alaskan Way and Western Ave, there is now just a 600-foot gap separating Seattle's newly rebuilt waterfront from the downtown protected bike lane network.
We are designing a two-way protected bike lane on the north side of Yesler Way to fill this gap as soon as 2025. Once complete, this will be a seamless route comfortable for riders of all ages and abilities between Downtown Seattle and the waterfront bike path. It also provides direct access to Washington's largest ferry hub, providing a true regional connection to multiple ferry lines.
Project Description
The protected bike lane will be on the north side of Yesler Way and allow people biking, on scooters, and other mobility devices to travel in both directions. It will fit seamlessly into the existing protected bike lane network in Pioneer Square that also uses this configuration. We plan to use precast concrete barriers to separate people biking from people driving.
The project will add turning restrictions prohibiting vehicles from making right turns from westbound Yesler Way to northbound 1st Ave S, and from making left turns from eastbound Yesler Way to northbound James Street. This allows the project to provide a protected bike lane without making changes to the signal at 1st Ave S and Yesler Way.
Other changes include removing up to 10 parking spaces along the north side of Yesler Way, and relocating a load zone to Post Ave. The project will also remove the diagonal bike crossing at Western Ave and Yesler Way and make minor pavement repairs.
This work is coordinated with the Office of the Waterfront’s Pioneer Square East/West Pedestrian Improvements Project which is making sidewalk expansion, paving, and other enhancements to Yesler Way along with other streets in Pioneer Square.
We recognize the significant need for signal and pavement improvements at 1st Ave S and Yesler Way as well as the difficulties the turn restrictions will create for some drivers. We intend for this project and the associated turn restrictions to be an interim condition until we and our partners are able to make the longer-term investments the neighborhood deserves.
Outreach & Schedule
Materials
Certificate of Approval (September 2024)
Presentation to Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board (Certificate of Approval Application, September 2024)
100% Design plan (June 2024)
Presentation to Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board (Informational briefing, May 2024)
30% Design plan (May 2024)
Fact sheet (April 2024)
Funding
This project is partially funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Learn more about the Levy to Move Seattle.
Translations
If you need this information translated, please call (206) 450-6594.
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