MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Safety improvements are coming to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood

Sep 14, 2026, 4:51 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm

Ballard...

(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.
2 Ballard

(Image courtesy of KIRO 7)

“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.



Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

Fall City...

MyNorthwest Staff

Fall City teen accused of killing family back in court for hearing to determine if he’ll be tried as an adult

The Fall City teen accused of killing his family is back in King County Court for a hearing that'll determine if he's tried as a juvenile or an adult.

14 minutes ago

kent crash car tree students...

Jason Sutich

Car strikes two students near Kent elementary school, crashes into tree

Two elementary students were struck by a car near Neely O'Brien Elementary School in Kent on Monday afternoon and sustained minor injuries.

1 hour ago

wa gas gallon driver gasbuddy...

Manda Factor

WA drivers pay more than $5.57 a gallon for gas with no end in sight, GasBuddy analyst warns

GasBuddy warns WA drivers of record high gas prices with no relief in sight. Regular gas averages $5.57 a gallon in Seattle.

1 hour ago

grays harbor telephone wire...

Jason Sutich

2 men arrested for cutting 200 feet of telephone wire in Grays Harbor County, causing $100K+ in damage

Two men were arrested after allegedly cutting 200 feet of telephone wire in Grays Harbor County on Saturday, causing more than $100,000 in damage.

3 hours ago

seattle mayor katie wilson budget deficit billion...

MyNorthwest Staff

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson releases gun violence plan with increased patrols, push for stronger gun laws

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson released her plan to address gun violence in the city Tuesday following a string of deadly shootings over the past few weeks.

4 hours ago

costco motor oil kirkland...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Costco raises price for Kirkland motor oil, sets purchase limit

Costco raised the price of motor oil sold under its exclusive private-label brand as well as limited how much of customers can buy weekly as oil prices climb.

4 hours ago

Safety improvements are coming to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood