Ballard Natural Drainage Systems Project to start construction phase

Danielle Anthony-Goodwin Ballard

After four years of planning, SPU will begin work on Ballard Natural Drainage Systems project next Monday, April 18.

The project, that has been in the works since 2012, is part of the city’s Ballard Natural Drainage System, which will work to prevent an average of 1 million gallons of untreated sewage and storm water per year from entering the Ship Canal and Salmon Bay.

SPU received construction bids for the project last summer and moved forward with a contract at the end of last year.

Starting Monday, work will take place in several locations along 17th, 19th and 26th Aves NW and on NW 75th, 77th and 80th streets (see maps below – click to see large version). To see PDF versions of the maps click here.

Map of planned construction on NW 75th St, NW 77th St and 19th Ave NW:

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Map of planned construction on NW 77th St and 17th Ave NW:

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Map of planned construction on NW 83rd St, NW 77th St and 26th Ave NW:

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Once construction begins, the anticipated work hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m and. at this stage, construction is set to last approximately 7-8 months.

Locals can expect to see construction trailers arrive on-site on April 18. Crews will set up erosion control and tree protection throughout the project site and then will move into excavating pit drains for the rain garden cells.

The contractor plans to start excavation work on Northwest 75th St between 22nd and 23rd Avenues NW and then move east to 19th Ave NW. Work along Loyal Heights Elementary school will not start until June 27 to coincide with summer break and the school’s upcoming improvement plans.

Anticipated impacts include:

  • Temporary sidewalk closures.
  • Temporary traffic lane closures.
  • Constructions materials and equipment in street.
  • Increased construction traffic, noise, dirt, and vibrations.
  • Parking restrictions during work hours.

Throughout the construction process, access to homes and driveways will be maintained.

Several homes receiving rain gardens may experience temporary service interruptions to water and sewer during construction. The project’s resident engineer will coordinate with homeowners to help reduce impacts.

Homes located within the project boundaries will receive a mailed construction notice and maps this week.

During construction, SPU will continue to coordinate with the SDOT on the neighborhood greenway route where it overlaps with the natural drainage project along 17th Ave NW between NW 77th and 83rd Streets.

SPU will be hosting a neighborhood drop-in session this Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. – noon at the intersection of Northwest 75th St and 21st Ave NW on the sidewalk.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Resident Engineer Robert Case, learn more about the work on-site and ask any questions about the construction process.

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