More traffic calming work coming to 8th Ave NW

The Seattle Department of Transportation has a series of upgrades coming to 8th Ave NW to slow down drivers and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street.

SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says the project is currently in its final design phase, with installation planned for later this year. “This is, and will remain, a priority project for us,” Bergerson said in an email. He added that they’ll be reengaging with community members to answer questions and share design work closer to the installation.

Here’s the list of work planned between NW 48th St and NW 70th St on 8th Ave NW:

• New speed cushions 
• New marked crosswalks with islands for people to pause while crossing the street 
• New radar speed signs 
• New traffic diverter  
• New walk/bike signal flashing beacons  

Bergerson said the new features will complement the work SDOT completed in 2025, which inluded pedestrian visibility improvements at intersections through daylighting. Daylighting uses signs, paint and other materials to reinforce existing parking restrictions near intersections and crosswalks, improving visibility, and helping reduce crashes without removing legal parking spaces.

Community members along 8th Ave NW have been very active in promoting traffic calming measures. Last year, the Ballard Fremont Greenways (BFG) group drew attention to the unsafe driving practices on 8th, including clocking cars going 70 mph.

And two years ago, a block party rallied around safer conditions on 8th Ave NW, which the organizers called the Reconnecting Ballard Block Party. The event was one of the catalysts that kicked off improvements on 8th Ave NW.

Funding for the project comes from the voter-approved 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy and supports the city’s Vision Zero goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

Photo: One of the marked crosswalks across 8th Ave NW in Ballard / SDOT