Central Area North-South
What's happening now?
Last Update: April 22, 2020
Like the rest of the world, here in Seattle, we're rethinking how we live and move around our city during the COVID 19 crisis and beyond. Mayor Jenny Durkan and SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe announced Safe Healthy Streets in support of Governor Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order and the City's #KeepItMoving campaign. If people go outside, we need them to keep moving and avoid gatherings.
To maintain at least 6 feet of space while passing a neighbor, people are walking in the street or crossing to the other side. Even though traffic volume is down 60%, there is still risk when people are walking in the streets where there are cars. To support people enjoying outdoor exercise safely, we're converting some existing neighborhood greenways, which are calm residential streets, into Stay Healthy Streets starting this Saturday.
Initial analysis to select routes included ensuring street closures did not impact newly opened food pick up loading zones, parking around hospitals for service for health care professionals, and bus routes. We also considered areas with limited open space options, low car ownership, and where routes can connect people to essential services and food take out.
We're launching with about 2.5 miles in the Central District and West Seattle/High Point neighborhoods. Portions of neighborhood greenways along 25th Ave S and 34th Ave SW/SW Graham and Holly St/High Point Dr SW will open up to people living in the neighborhood for walking, rolling, and biking. Stay Healthy Streets are closed to through traffic - but not residents or deliveries - 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of the emergency or until otherwise noted by the City of Seattle. After an initial evaluation, we'll aim to convert about 15 miles in the coming weeks. We'll continue to re-evaluate after this weekend's pilot and work with community and stakeholders on additional suggestions and recommendations. Additional closures will be subject to change based on other orders, construction, and availability of crews and signs. For more details, read our blog.
We're also seeking volunteers to confirm road closure signs are still in place and conduct pedestrian and bicycling counts. Those interested in volunteering can email NorthSeattleGreenway@Seattle.gov. The counts will be used to monitor the success of Stay Healthy Streets, along with resident feedback- we'll have an online survey out in the next couple of weeks-- and any traffic impacts where vehicles are detoured
Project Overview
Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, and neighbors. We make people walking and biking the priority. Neighborhood greenways can include:
- 20 mph speed limit signs
- speed humps to calm traffic
- stop signs for side streets crossing the greenway
- signs and pavement markings to help people find their way
- easier crossings of busy streets with crosswalks, flashing beacons, or traffic signals
Once built, neighborhood greenways can:
- Create safe pathways for students to walk to school
- Strengthen communities around safer streets
- Create neighborhood placemaking
- Connect you and your neighbors to popular destinations such as schools, parks, business districts, and the city-wide bicycle network
- Provide alternative options of getting around your neighborhood by walking or biking
Visit our neighborhood greenways home page to learn more.
Central Area Neighborhood Greenway
The Central Area Neighborhood Greenway runs on residential streets adjacent to 23rd Ave between E Roanoke Street on the north end and Rainier Ave S on the south end. We selected the route with the help of extensive community input gathered at open houses, drop-in sessions, presentations, and briefings. The full route is shown on the map below.
Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway are complete. In 2017, we'll conduct an evaluation to see how the new greenway is working. We're now working on better connecting the greenway to other family friendly routes on both the north and south ends of the greenway.
We're also working on better connecting the greenway where it intersects with other greenways:
Schedule
The Central Area Neighborhood Greenway was implemented in phases. Phase 1 reached substantial completion in September 2015. Phase 2 (the south end) and Phase 3 (the north end) were completed in spring 2016. We'll conduct an evaluation of the greenway in 2017.
Funding
This project is funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015.
Materials
Stay Healthy Streets
- Central Area 25th Ave Stay Healthy Street Map (April 2020)
Montlake drop-in sessions (March 22, 2017 and May 9, 2017)
Greenway connections in Rainier Valley
August 26 & 28, 2014 Open House Materials
- Open House Presentation
- What Is a Greenway?
- Greenway Goals
- Greenway Elements
- Route Options
- Phase 2 Evaluation Criteria
- Phase 3 Evaluation Criteria
- Most Promising Route
- Phase 2 Most Promising Route & Recommended Safety Improvements
- Phase 3 Most Promising Route & Recommended Safety Improvements
- Possible Safety Improvements at Arterial Intersections
- Boyer Avenue E Protected Bicycle Lane
- Next Steps
July 15 & 17, 2014 Drop-in Sessions
- What Is a Greenway?
- Greenway Goals
- Greenway Elements
- Project Map
- Phase 2 Route Options
- Phase 3 Route Options
- Phase 2 Route Options and Slopes
- Phase 3 Route Options and Slopes
- Phase 2 Route Speeds and Volumes
- Phase 3 Route Speeds and Volumes
- Evaluation Criteria
- Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board Presentation – December 11 2013
- Project Brochure
February 26, 2014 Open House Materials
- 23rd Avenue Improvements Project & Central Area Neighborhood Greenways Folio
- Display Boards
- 23rd Avenue Corridor Improvements Project and Central Area Neighborhood Greenway Video