N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge Seismic Retrofit
Updated May 2025
What’s happening now?
Major construction work on retrofits to help the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge better withstand earthquakes is nearly complete!
The photo above shows the retrofitted N 41st St pedestrian bridge, helping people safely cross over Aurora Ave N (April 2025, SDOT).
Here’s what we’ve done to make the bridge stronger and less vulnerable in the event of an earthquake:
- Wrapped the bridge’s towers and piers in carbon fiber to increase strength.
- Retrofitted the base of the bridge’s foundation for added stability.
- Repaired cracks and damaged concrete for improved durability.
- Replaced bolts throughout the bridge to enhance structural integrity.
- Replaced sections of nearby sidewalks and curb ramps to improve access.
What's left to do:
- Final construction activities include assessing curb ramp replacement at the northeast corner of the N 41st St and Aurora Ave N intersection.
If you have questions about this project, feel free to contact us at BridgeSeismicRetrofit@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 775-8734. To receive project updates, sign up to join our project listserv.
About the Project
Seattle is located in an earthquake-prone region, and earthquakes can seriously impact our bridges. To address this risk, the City of Seattle created the Bridge Seismic Program to evaluate which bridges are vulnerable and reinforce them to better withstand seismic events.
As part of the Levy to Move Seattle, 16 bridges were selected for seismic reinforcements, including the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge. The N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge is an older bridge built in 1936, prior to modernizing the seismic design code. This bridge provides a more direct connection across Aurora Ave N for the north Fremont neighborhood.
The photo above shows the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge over Aurora Ave N before planned seismic retrofit improvements (Google Street view).
We're not changing the current use and operation of the bridge. The N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge seismic retrofit will strengthen existing bridge components and reduce the bridge’s vulnerability to earthquakes. Major construction work includes:
- Retrofitting the bridge’s footing.
- Installing carbon fiber wrapping to strengthen the bridge’s towers.
- Repairing cracks and damaged concrete.
- Replacing bolts throughout the bridge.
- Replacement of impacted concrete panels and curb ramps
What to expect during construction
Construction began in September 2024 and is anticipated to be complete by summer 2025.
In addition to temporary car travel lane, sidewalk, and crosswalk closures, we currently anticipate the following construction impacts:
- Work in public areas near your home or business
- Temporary on-street parking restrictions, with "no park" signs placed 72 hours in advance
- Staged construction equipment and materials as well as noise, dust, and vibrations in the work area
- Typical weekday work hours of 7 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday
Project schedule
| 30% Design | Complete |
| 60 % Dsign | Complete |
| 90% Design | Complete |
| Final Design | Complete |
| Construction Began | September 2024 |
Construction schedules are also subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials.
Funding
The project is funded through the Levy to Move Seattle. Approved by voters in 2015, the 9-year, $930 million Levy to Move Seattle provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.
Get involved
We're committed to keeping you informed and working with neighbors to limit construction impacts to the extent feasible. Here are some ways to get more information about the project:
- Sign up for our project listserv to receive weekly project updates
- Email the project team at BridgeSeismicRetrofit@seattle.gov
- Leave a voicemail at (206) 775-8734. A project representative will return your call.
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