4th Ave S Safety Project

What’s Happening?  

In 2026 and 2027, we plan to make changes on 4th Ave S at S Walker St and S Forest St to make it safer to walk, roll, drive, move freight, and take the bus. At each intersection we plan to:  

  • Add 4-way traffic signals with additional street lighting
  • Add crosswalks and lighting for people who walk and roll  
  • Build bus and curb bulbs that extend the sidewalk area  
  • Plant trees

Why Is This Important?  

Over the last five years, eleven people lost their lives in fatal crashes in this part of SODO. We must do our part to enhance safety and respond to community requests for controlled crossings. 

Traffic signals, crosswalks, and curb and bus bulbs make it easier for people to safely cross busy streets. Curb and bus bulbs also prevent people from parking in front of crosswalks, which – along with new lighting – makes people who walk and roll more visible to people who drive. Plus, traffic signals make it easier for people who drive and move freight to turn left onto and off of 4th Ave S.

Project Area

Project area map showing 4th Avenue South between South Holgate Street to the north and South Spokane Street to the south. The map also shows a few streets running parallel to 4th Ave S, including 3rd Ave S to the west and the SODO Busway and 6th Ave to the east. The intersections of 4th Avenue South with South Walker Street and South Forest Street are marked on the map to indicate where the work will be.

Two people walk north along 4th Avenue South on a sunny day, crossing South Walker Street near the Route 131 and 132 bus stop. Intersection of 4th Ave S and S Walker St looking north

Person walks south along 4th Avenue South, crossing South Forest Street near Denny's Restaurant while cars drive along 4th Avenue South on a sunny day.Intersection of 4th Ave S and S Forest St looking northeast

Project Details

The diagram below shows the changes planned for the project area. Diagrams showing the changes planned for the 4th Avenue South intersections with South Walker Street and South Forest Street. The diagrams show that the northbound bus stop for Routes 131 and 132 will move from the southeast corner of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street to the northeast corner. The diagrams also show the locations of new bus bulbs at the northeast and southwest corners of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street. Bus bulbs essentially widen the sidewalk near the intersections and in this case will be built in the current flex lane, which is used primarily for parking. The bus bulb is long enough to accommodate two buses, one in front of the other. It this new layout, buses will stop in the traffic lane. This reduces delays for people riding the bus, because bus drivers don’t have to wait to merge back into traffic. Beyond the bus bulb, the rest of flex lane can still be used for parking. The diagrams also show the locations of new curb bulbs on the northwest and southeast corners of 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street and on all four corners of the intersection of 4th Avenue South and South Forest Street. Like bus bulbs, curb bulbs widen the sidewalk, which makes it easier to see people who walk and roll and shortens the distance and time it takes to cross the street. Like the bus bulbs, the curb bulbs will be built in the current flex lane, though they are about a third of the length of a bus bulb. Beyond the curb bulbs, the rest of flex lane can still be used for parking. Driving lanes will remain the same along 4th Ave S with three northbound lanes, one turning lane, and two southbound lanes. The diagram shows that there will be new crosswalks and curb ramps for people who use wheelchairs or mobility devices on all four sides of the intersections at 4th Avenue South and South Walker Street and 4th Avenue South at South Forest Street. It also shows new 4-way traffic signals at both intersections with metal poles and cross arms to hold the traffic lights. Traffic signals will make it easier for people who drive and move freight to turn left at these intersections and make it easier for people to walk and roll across these streets safely. The cross arms for the signals will also include street lighting to make it easier to see. Finally, the diagram shows that we will plant street trees along 4th Ave S and add lights at the intersections for people who walk and roll. Exact locations for trees and light are to be determined.

Contact Us

If you have questions or thoughts about this project, please email us at: 4thAveSafety@seattle.gov or call us at (425) 507-7580. 

Transportation

Adiam Emery, Interim 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

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Transportation

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.