Safety improvements are coming to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood
Sep 14, 2026, 4:51 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm
(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Department of Transportation via KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Department of Transportation via KIRO 7)
The City of Seattle is working to make Ballard a safer neighborhood.
Improvements are coming for people walking, biking, and rolling on 8th Ave. NW between NW 46th St. and NW 70th St.
This project is in the design phase, and construction should be completed sometime this fall.
Here’s what’s coming:
- New marked crosswalks with pedestrian islands at NW 49th, 51st, 53rd, and 70th Streets.
- Two new radar speed signs.
- A traffic diverter at NW 70th St.
- Walk/bike flashing signs at NW 70th St.
- Thirteen speed cushions to prevent drivers from ending up in the bike lanes.
“This project is possible thanks to local funding from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy. We appreciate your partnership in making Seattle’s streets safer for everyone,” the city shared.
The project builds on some work that the city did last year in the area. In 2025, crews added intersection visibility improvements at NW 70th St., NW 53rd St., and NW 51st St.

