Weigh in on which street improvement projects you want funded for Ballard

The Neighborhood Street Fund ideas are in, and it’s time to for residents to weigh in.

There are over 300 ideas around the city, with several in Ballard. This phase of the timeline (through Feb. 22) allows the public to give feedback on ideas. The top projects that emerge from each district’s residents will be voted on by the public in April and May.

Here’s a list of the ideas for Ballard and its surrounds:

• 17th Ave NW Greenway Pedestrian Safety Improvements in Crown Hill: Rebuild 17th Ave NW between NW 85th St and NW 89th St to create a safe place for people to walk and to solve the drainage issues. Either a design that uses low-cost walkway techniques like wheelstops and green stormwater infrastructure to create low-cost sidewalks, or a “shared street” model with extensive traffic calming and plantings that makes it safer to walk in the street.
• 24th Ave NW Improvements: Add a left-turn lane on 24th Ave NW where it intersects with NW 85th St, add traffic calming features to encourage safe driving near the elementary school, and mark curbs with paint to indicate no parking within 30 feet of crosswalks.
• 77th and Jones Ave NW Intersection Safety: Install traffic calming devices and assign right-of-way at the unmarked intersection of NW 77th St and Jones Ave NW. Some possible solutions could include a traffic circle, stop signs on Jones Ave NW, speed cushions on all approaches to the intersection, or some combination.
• Ballard Ave Walk only street: Close Ballard Avenue NW between NW Market Street and 20th Ave NW to through-traffic in order to create a better pedestrian environment.
• Connect 8th Ave NW and the Burke: Replace the difficult connection between 8th Ave NW and the Burke-Gilman with a short but dedicated path that separates path users from traffic and guides cyclists across the railroad tracks at a safe angle.
• Crosswalk on 8th Ave NW at NW 51st St: Install a marked crosswalk with flashing lights on 8th Ave NW between Leary Way NW and NW Market Street at NW 51st Street, where there is already a bus stop and curb ramps.
• Crosswalk at 22nd Ave NW and NW 65th St: Add a painted crosswalk along with flashing lights and curb ramps to the intersection of NW 65th St and 22nd Ave NW.
• Crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety crossing 8th Ave NW and Leary Way: Install at least one marked crosswalk with flashing lights or a full traffic signal somewhere on 8th Ave NW between Leary Way NW and NW Market Street, especially at NW 50th Street. Also install a new traffic signal or signalized crosswalk on Leary Way NW between 8th Ave NW and 11th Ave NW.
• Crown Hill Pedestrian Safety Improvements: Install sidewalks, planting strips, and curbs along Mary Ave NW between Holman Road and NW 95th St.
• Marked crosswalk and signal across 15th Ave NW at NW 83rd St: Install a pedestrian signal to make it easier to cross 15th Ave NW at NW 83rd street. This crossing could be on the north side of the intersection to take advantage of the existing median cut-out.
• Sidewalk/bike improvements no northbound 15th ave NW: Repair the sidewalks and install new curb ramps on 15th Ave NW between NW 56th and NW 57th Streets.
• Nordic Museum Traffic Circulation Enhancement: Add a new driveway that would link the Nordic Museum parking lot to the soon to be paved NW 54th St, which would allow museum visitors to enter and exit from separate driveways.
• Pedestrian Crossing at 9th and Leary: Add a pedestrian signal to make it easier to cross Leary Way NW at 9th Ave NW. Alternatively, install a pedestrian median in the middle of the street along with flashing lights and a crosswalk to break the difficult 5-lane crossing into two easier 2-lane crossings.
• Pedestrian-activated signal at 14th Ave NW and NW 53rd Street: Add a pedestrian- and bike-activated signal at 14th Ave NW and NW 53rd St. Ideally it would be a pedestrian half-signal that stops traffic, but a flashing yellow signal could also work.
• Sidewalk / intersection/ bicycle lane at Holman Rd & 13th Ave NW: Improve drainage along 13th Ave NW and at the intersection with NW 95th St, replace the gravel trail with a sidewalk or a multi-use path that is usable in poor weather and meets ADA requirements, and add parking in the location of the current drainage ditch.
• Speed Bumps along 25th Ave NW: Install at least two speed cushions to slow down traffic in order to discourage cut-through use of 25th Ave NW between NW 85th St and NW 87th St
• Street Improvements on 70th / Connect Salmon Bay Park with Whittier Heights: Upgrade NW 70th Street into a Neighborhood Greenway with features including: Beautifying and improving the visibility of the traffic cycle at NW 70th Street and 16th Ave NW, which is often struck by drivers; Repairing pavement as needed, especially between Mary Ave NW and 15th Ave NW; Adding bicycle boxes at the intersection with 15th Ave NW; Adding ADA compliant curb ramps at three intersections where they are lacking; Use brightly colored crosswalks and signage to create identity and remind drivers that many kids are present.