Queen Anne Ave N Protected Bike Lane Extension

Updated: September 2024

Project Overview

As part of the North Downtown Mobility Action Program, we will build a new two-way protected bike lane (PBL) on Queen Anne Ave N. The lane will connect existing biking facilities on Queen Anne Ave N from W Mercer St. to bike lanes on Roy St.

This project aligns with our ongoing efforts to improve how we move through our streets and public spaces, as outlined in the North Downtown neighborhoods’ action plan.

PBLs improve safety for everyone and provide access to the bike network for people of all ages and abilities.

The Queen Anne Avenue N PBL Extension Project complements transportation and safety enhancements in the area made around the Climate Pledge Arena and Uptown neighborhood.

The new protected bike lane will separate modes of transportation, providing protection for people riding bikes of all ages and abilities, and enhance access to businesses.

The image above shows the current conditions at Queen Anne Ave N, facing south.

Project area

The map below shows the project area along Queen Anne Ave N, from W Mercer St. to Roy St., and its connection to the North Downtown bicycle network.

Project Design

The new two-way protected bike lane on Queen Anne Ave N will separate people biking from moving vehicles with pre-cast concrete curbs.

New bike signals will be installed at the dog-legged intersection of Queen Anne Ave N & Roy/W Roy St. to safely guide people biking through the intersection. People biking westbound and northbound will have their own protected signal phase, people biking southbound and eastbound will go with traffic.

Project Elements

Parking and Loading Zones:

• The parking lane will be shifted outside the bike lane, as in other downtown areas. We have maintained as much parking as possible but needed to adjust some east-side parking for an ADA load zone and some west-side parking to improve visibility and space for a right turn at the southwest corner of Queen Anne Ave N and W Mercer St.
• We’ll maintain all existing load zones on the west side of Queen Anne Ave N along this block. The load lane on the east side will be shifted outside of the bike lane, and we’ll add an additional ADA load zone in front of the MarQueen Hotel.
• We will also be installing a new commercial load zone on Roy St. just west of 1st Ave N. This change will make it easier for businesses on that block to handle deliveries.

Road Changes:

• We're changing the two-way street on this block to a one-way street going southbound only. This change will help cyclists move safely through the area while keeping as much parking and business access as possible. Before 2014, Queen Anne Ave N was a southbound-only street, with 1st Ave N handling northbound traffic, which had been the setup for decades.
• We’ll update pavement markings, signage and signal at nearby intersections. This includes a new left turn “pocket” at 1st Ave N. It will help drivers coming from Mercer St. access Roy St. and Queen Anne Hill via 1st Ave N.
• We'll also mark the parking lane on the west side of Queen Anne Ave N. This will make the road look narrower and clearly show where parking is allowed and where it is not.

The image above shows the current and proposed road layout on Queen Anne Ave N, from W Mercer St. to Roy St.

Project Benefits

• A new, fully protected bike lane and connection with concrete curbs
  • Concrete buffers offer sturdier protection and better separation from moving vehicles, providing a safer route for people biking, people rolling, and other travelers of all ages and abilities
  • Concrete curbs are tougher to damage than “flexposts,” lowering long term maintenance needs and reducing the chances of becoming an eyesore
• Easier access to the many vibrant small businesses in the project area
  • New commercial load zone along Roy St. will make easier it for businesses to get their supplies
  • Clearer parking and loading areas for people driving
• A more accessible Uptown
  • New ADA accessible load zone in front of the MarQueen Hotel
  • New curb ramps and accessible signals
• More options for traveling through one of Seattle’s busiest neighborhoods
  • Uptown is one of Seattle’s fastest-growing neighborhoods and traffic congestion reflects that. The best way to alleviate this challenge over time is by offering people more options to get around the area. This project will make it easier, safer, and more convenient for people biking around, to, and through the neighborhood.
  • The new protected bike lane will better connect Uptown and Queen Anne to the City’s bike network. People biking will now have convenient east-west and north-south access to Downtown, Belltown, South Lake Union, the regional trail network and the rest of Seattle.
  • Minor improvements to transit speed and reliability for the RapidRide D Line and other Metro routes at Queen Anne Ave N & Mercer St.

Schedule

We expect the design to be ready sometime this fall, with construction beginning later this year.

Materials

• Fact sheet, 2024