Seattle Wayfinding Expansion
This project is part of the City's system for helping people find their way on foot, Seamless Seattle
Updated: June 25, 2024
What's happening now?
We are preparing to install 67 new wayfinding signs throughout the greater downtown area of Seattle as early as this fall. The signs showcase maps that help people navigate the City’s streets; the maps feature well-known landmarks, transit links, and common destinations.
We expect to complete the project by early next year.
Project Background
As part of the Pedestrian Master Plan, the City of Seattle seeks to increase walking trips by 35% before 2035. Improving street signage is one of many ways to help the city reach that goal. The Pedestrian Master Plan can be found here.
The Seattle Wayfinding Expansion project is part of the Seamless Seattle Pedestrian Wayfinding program. The first phase of this project, completed in 2020, involved installing new standard wayfinding signs in downtown Seattle. These signs include maps that help people navigate the City’s streets and show landmark illustrations, transit links, and common destinations.
The photo below shows an area sign designed to help people find their way to common destinations near 5th Avenue, between Spring and Madison Streets.
Now, we’ll be installing signs across a large area of Seattle from Mercer St in the north, to South Dearborn St in the south, and from Elliot Way over to Minor Ave on the most easterly side, focusing on four key areas:
- Chinatown-International District
- Convention Center
- Seattle Center
- Waterfront
Signage will provide directions to major pedestrian destinations such as the Waterfront, Pike Place Market, Summit Convention Center, Seattle Center, and stadiums.
During this phase we will implement two types of signs, which include area signs and nudge signs.
Photo above shows Area Signs that help people to find places, orient themselves, and replan their journeys. They are usually located at major junctions, on key routes, and in busy areas.
Photo above shows Nudge Signs that help people to inform binary decision-making about their onward direction. They are usually located at decision points such as intersections, plazas, etc.
Click here for more information about the Seamless Seattle Pedestrian Wayfinding Program.
Project Area
Signs will be installed across a large area of Seattle from Mercer St in the north, to South Dearborn St in the south, and from Elliot Way over to Minor Ave on the most easterly side.
Funding
This project is funded with various funding sources, including:
- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program.
- Transportation Options Program.
- The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).