North Downtown Mobility Action Program

The North Downtown Mobility Action Plan (NODO MAP) supports access to and mobility through North Downtown (NODO), which includes Uptown, Belltown, and South Lake Union neighborhoods. The draft October 2018 North Downtown Mobility Action Plan was prepared in partnership with the North Downtown neighborhoods through a community outreach process from Fall 2017 to Fall 2018. The plan built on existing community planning efforts; reviewed existing community plans and planned projects; identified ways to improve how we move, connect, and experience our streets and public places; and evaluated and prioritized potential projects. The December 2019 final action plan identifies and prioritizes transportation improvements for all modes in the NODO neighborhoods, building on existing community plans, with an emphasis of delivering the priority projects in the next ten years.

Curious about potential projects? Want to know more about NODO MAP? Read the full North Downtown Mobility Action Plan

Program Area

Current Projects

Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project

• The Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project (4th Ave Protected Bike Lane Extension) will extend the 4th Ave protected bike lanes (PBLs) and close a gap in the regional bike network. This project will build a new two-way PBL from Vine St to 5th Ave N and Thomas St via Broad Street. Visit the project webpage for more information. 

Harrison and Mercer Transit Access Project

• The project will create a new pedestrian-focused corridor across South Lake Union, rebuild the roadway to support future transit service and accommodate future regional transit routes coming from Northeast Seattle, the SR-522 corridor, I-405 corridor and Renton. We are working on planning for the Harrison and Mercer Transit Access Project and will soon begin communicating with community members and stakeholders to share project information and to gather feedback.

2nd Ave and Denny Way Bike Improvements

• Re-establish a two-way protected bike lane (PBL) south of Denny Way for one block (130 ft) along 2nd Ave. Will allow two southbound general traffic lanes along 2nd Ave south of Denny Way separated from the sidewalk. SDOT Crews recently updated pavement markings and signage, allowing for southbound left turns to Denny Way. The bike lane is expected to be in construction as soon as March of 2025. Read the project fact sheet here.

Broad Street Signal Improvements

• In collaboration with the Port of Seattle, SDOT is upgrading the signals on Broad Street from Western Ave to 5th Ave N. The upgrades will ensure forward compatibility, increased accessibility across and through intersections, and optimized traffic flow. Work has recently been completed at 4th & Broad, 3rd & Broad, and 5th & Broad. SDOT signal crews are currently working on upgrading signals at Elliott & Broad and Western & Broad.

Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N

• In coordination with Seattle City Light and other adjacent property owners, we will make improvements on Thomas St between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N. 
• As part of the Thomas Street Redefined concept plan, the design focuses on improvements for a half-block closure at Thomas St east of 5th Ave N, a northern promenade for a multi-use trail from 5th Ave N to 6th Ave N, and a protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St. Bicycle facilities are existing or planned between 6th Ave N and Dexter Ave N. The project is in construction. The temporary plaza and furniture at 5th & Thomas has been completed. Work near the City Light Substation, including landscaping, new sidewalks, and street furniture has been completed.

Completed Projects

Queen Anne Ave N Protected Bike Lane Extension

Completed 2025

• The project extended the Queen Anne Ave N protected bike lane (PBL) north by one block from Mercer to Roy Street. The project also created a new westbound bike lane on Roy St between Queen Anne Ave and 1st Ave N. See the rest of the project scope here.

Denny Way Intelligent Transportation Systems

Completed 2024

• Denny Way experiences some of the city's heaviest traffic volumes. The Denny Way ITS Project upgraded traffic signals and pedestrian push buttons along Denny Way between Western Ave W and Minor Ave to improve the way people drive, walk, bike, and roll through this corridor.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, are a suite of technology tools we use to improve the way people drive, walk, bike, or roll across the city, including upgrading traffic signals. ITS tools play a key role in a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that works for all travelers.

Neighborhood-identified programmatic improvements

Completed 2024

• Programmatic improvements include pedestrian and bicycle wayfinding; pedestrian improvements at high-priority intersections; pedestrian-scale lighting; and programs on Vision Zero education and encouragement, driver education and enforcement.

Protected Intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St

Completed 2024

• A protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St included diverters to prohibit through vehicle travel across Aurora Ave N (now 7th Ave N) and a new signal. The project is located along Thomas Street Greenway East, which implemented a key element of the community's vision for a pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly Thomas Street Redefined.

1st and Battery Portal Porch

Completed 2023

• Created a new public space in Belltown at the top of the old Battery Street Tunnel Portal.

1st Ave and Broad St Complete Streets

Completed 2022

• Leveraged improvements along 1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N to complete the bicycle connection between the 2nd Ave protected bike lane (PBL) and the future 1st Ave N PBL. The project also upgraded signals to add a new pedestrian crosswalk at 1st Ave and Denny Way, provided bicycle signals, and enhanced transit speed and reliability between 3rd Ave and 1st Ave N.

Denny Way East from 4th Ave N to I-5

Completed 2022

• Upgraded 11 signals from 4th Ave N to I-5 to improve operating conditions in this key transit and freight corridor. Upgrades included updates to signal timing, vehicle detection, and fiber communications to improve traffic flow.

Pedestrian Improvements in Belltown

Completed 2022

• Enhanced pedestrian safety and comfort in Belltown at 1st Ave and Battery St, a high-priority pedestrian crossing location. Intersection improvements included a new traffic signal, crosswalks, and potential paint-and-post curb bulbs to shorten pedestrian crossing distance and slow turning vehicles.

1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N

Completed 2021

• Prioritized people taking transit, walking, and bicycling by including transit-only lanes and protected bicycle lanes. Intersection improvements included new signals to improve pedestrian safety, curb bulbs at selected intersections, a transit queue jump to benefit transit speed and reliability, and signal upgrades to improve network connectivity through predictable bicycle and vehicular movements. Protected bike lanes on 1st Ave N and Queen Anne Ave N are consistent with the Bicycle Master Plan.

Seattle Center to Waterfront Walking and Biking Connection

Completed 2021

• Seattle Center to Waterfront Walking and Biking Connection, also known as Thomas Street Greenway West, constructed an all ages and abilities walking and biking connection between the Seattle Center and the Central Waterfront via the Thomas St Overpass. This project leveraged other NODO Project A and Climate Pledge Arena Team improvements along Queen Anne Ave N, 1st Ave N, and Thomas St to improve and highlight the walking and biking connections between some of Seattle's most popular destinations.

Monorail Improvements

Completed 2021

• Enhanced sustainable transportation options, mobility, and convenience for North Downtown residents, workers, and commuters with connections to the Westlake Hub and light rail in downtown. The City Arena Transportation Fund provided $1 million in seed funding to leverage other partner investments to fund the improvements identified in the Seattle Center Monorail Stations Reconfiguration Evaluation Report (2018).

SR 99 to Waterfront Access and Mobility

Completed 

• Contribution from the Port of Seattle helped fund SR 99 to Waterfront Access and Mobility project, which supported freight mobility upgrades along Broad St.

Related projects/programs

• Thomas Street Redefined proposes significant changes to the 2013 Thomas Green Street Concept Plan because community members felt its implementation did not match the 2013 Plan's original vision. The three main additions include a half block closure at 5th Ave N and Thomas St that would create a public plaza adjacent to the Seattle Center skatepark; the creation of a 36 feet wide pedestrian and bicycle promenade on the north curb; and a protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St.
• The Oak View Group is the company that redeveloped the Climate Pledge Arena and select related street improvements in the surrounding neighborhood, which were opened in late October 2021.