4th Ave S Sidewalk Project
S Front St to E Marginal Way S
Updated May 2026
What's Happening Now?
We are planning to build new sidewalks and make it easier for pedestrians to walk, and roll on 4th Ave S, between S Front St and East Marginal Way S in the Georgetown neighborhood.
We’ll start talking with property and business owners in the area to coordinate design details. Your feedback will help shape the project and make sure the design accommodates for everyone.
If you have questions or would like to get in touch, please contact Lisa Harrison at 4thAveSSidewalk@seattle.gov.
Project Area
This project is located on 4th Ave S, between S Front St and E Marginal Way S in the Georgetown neighborhood.
About the Project
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is making it safer and easier to walk in Georgetown, one of Seattle’s busiest industrial areas.
Today, sidewalks along 4th Ave S are disconnected, making it difficult for people walking or using mobility devices to reach nearby businesses and bus stops. This project will close those gaps between S Front St and East Marginal Way S and will also add:
- New trees and plants
- Improved driveways and curbs
- Improved drainage to clear rainwater, where needed
These changes will make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to walk or roll down 4th Ave S. It will also be easier to get to King County Metro bus routes 131 and 132. These buses run every 15 minutes on weekdays.
Sidewalks help people walk safely. There are currently more than 2,000 miles of sidewalks in Seattle, yet nearly a quarter of Seattle streets are missing sidewalks. SDOT is committed to increasing the number of sidewalks in the city.
Existing conditions along 4th Ave S show uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks and limited space for people walking near busy traffic. (SDOT photos)
Project Design
Project Elements include
- New sidewalks on 4th Ave S between S Front St and E Marginal Way S
- New curb ramps that comply with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards (in some locations)
- Widened curb bulbs to increase pedestrian visibility and slow down vehicle turning movements (in some locations)
- New landscape buffer with existing trees and additional parallel parking where possible
- New concrete pad for future bus stop shelter for southbound buses at 4th Ave S and S Front St (to be installed by Transit Spot Program after project is complete)
Early Design Plan (to scale)
Why is this project important?
4th Ave S is a busy industrial street with fast-moving traffic, lots of driveways, disconnected sidewalks, and few existing trees. The existing conditions are disconnected and uncomfortable for people walking or using mobility devices. This project is designed to:
- Make it easier and more comfortable to walk through Georgetown
- Create a continuous and accessible sidewalk network that connects to nearby bus routes
- Reduce conflicts between people walking and people driving
- Support equitable access to transportation and local businesses
This project is a priority in the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP), which includes a Pedestrian Element that prioritizes each segment of missing sidewalk throughout the city based on factors such as proximity to frequent transit and schools, safety, and equity. We use this prioritization to make the difficult choice about where to focus our new sidewalk investments.
The 4th Ave S Sidewalk Improvement Project is also part of the Vision Zero, a plan to end traffic deaths and serious injuries. Between 2020 and 2025, this stretch of 4th Ave S has seen one serious injury to a person walking, 16 injury collisions involving people in vehicles—including two serious ones—and two collisions involving people driving and biking. By creating continuous sidewalks and wider curb bulbs that improve visibility, the project will reduce conflicts between people walking and driving, slow down turning vehicles, and improve safety and comfort along 4th Ave S for all users.
Timeline
Planning (2024-2025): We’re identifying needs, developing early concepts, and engaging with nearby businesses and residents to inform design priorities.
Design (2026-2027): We’ll refine design concepts, share updates with the community, and coordinate directly with property owners and businesses.
Construction (as soon as July 2027): We’ll build the new sidewalks and keep the community informed about construction schedules and impacts.
Nearby Projects
E Marginal Way S Paving & Safety Improvements Project
Georgetown to South Park Safety Project - Off-Leash Dog Park (for construction updates)
14th Ave S Reimagined (South Park)