1st Ave NE Shared-Use Path

Updated September 16, 2025

What's Happening Now?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and read below to get more information about the project. Please reach out if you have any questions or comments.

Project Overview

As part of the Safe Routes to School program, we are building a shared-use path for people walking, biking, rolling, and scooting on 1st Ave NE between NE 130th St and NE 120th St. This new path creates a safe and comfortable place for people of all ages and abilities to get to James Baldwin Elementary School and Northacres Park. It also creates connections to future walking and biking improvements on NE 130th St to help people get to Sound Transit’s upcoming Pinehurst Station and new bus service from King County Metro.

Project elements include:

New 12-ft wide concrete shared-use path for people walking, biking, rolling, and scooting on the east side of 1st Ave NE from NE 130th St to NE 120th St
Raised crossing at NE 125th St to keep people walking, biking, rolling, and scooting at path level
New all-way stop at NE 120th St for safer access to James Baldwin Elementary (installed Spring 2025)
A new crosswalk at NE 128th St for access to Northacres Park and to connect to the N 128th St Walkway
Improvements to the 1st Ave NE and NE 130th St intersection to make it easier and safer to get to Sound Transit's upcoming Pinehurst Station
Speed cushions to help calm traffic
New curb ramps that comply with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards (in some locations)
Lighting to improve visibility for path users and people entering/exiting driveways
Public art on the shared-use path designed by students at James Baldwin Elementary (to be designed and installed after construction of the path)

Project Design

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Project Background

The 1st Ave NE Shared-Use Path project is the result of community feedback that identified a need for improved safety and accessibility between Northacres Park and James Baldwin Elementary School (formerly Northgate Elementary School). We heard community priorities through the NE 130th St Shoreline Multimodal Access Study and in direct conversations with area stakeholders such as James Baldwin Elementary. Community priorities included:

Sidewalks on 1st Ave NE between NE 120th St and NE 130th St
Safe Routes to School for the new James Baldwin Elementary School (formerly Northgate Elementary School)
Crossing improvements at the intersection of NE 125th St and 1st Ave NE
Provide connections to and through Northacres Park

Schedule

Schedule graphic showing 60% design phase

Planning and design (in progress): We’re sharing the project design, asking for community feedback, and finalizing the project design.

Construction: We expect to start construction as soon as mid-2026.

*Construction schedules are subject to change based on crew and material availability.

Funding

Funding is provided by Safe Routes to Schools, New Sidewalks program, and other SDOT walking and biking programs.

Project Materials

Frequently Asked Questions (Fall 2025)