Construction on Route 40 in Ballard continues with work coming soon to Leary Ave NW

The project to improve the Route 40 corridor in Ballard is in full swing, with crews working on NW Market St, Ballard Ave, and Leary Ave NW this summer.

The Route 40 Transit Plus Multimodal Corridor Project is aimed at making Route 40 faster, more reliable, and safer for riders.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) says the contractor is currently wrapping up trenching work across NW Market St and Ballard Ave. They’ll then move to curb ramp and sidewalk improvement work.

Next, crews will be on Leary Ave NW between NW Dock Pl and NW Ione Pl.

Here’s a full list of what’s happening in Ballard as part of the project (from SDOT):

• NW Market St between Ballard Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW (both sides of the street):
  • Stormwater drainage improvements and electrical trenching for improved crossings. Some of this work will require some sidewalk demo so please make sure to use all pedestrian detours.
  • Curb ramp improvements. The crews are scheduled to continue work on the crossing near NW Market St through early August. Pedestrians will have maintain access but may need to take slight detours.
  • Sidewalk and bus zone improvements: Crews will work on select sidewalk repairs and update the bus zones on both north and south sides of NW Market St. Please see bus design changes here.

• Leary Ave NW
  • Between 20th Ave NW and NW Market St:
    • Crews will continue trenching to update the drainage and installing electrical conduit for future pedestrian crossing improvements. This involves digging trenches to lay down pipes or cables underground. Neighbors should expect to see work on this intersection off and on through the Summer and Fall.
  • Between NW Dock Pl and NW Ione Pl:
    • Crews will begin their work on sidewalk, curbramp, and bus zone improvements as soon as August 5. Community members can expect new paving and larger bus bulbs in both directions of Leary Ave NW. This will require sidewalk demolition, electrical trenching, and curb work. Pedestrians will be directed to use detours down to Ballard Ave NW. 
  • To learn more about the planned improvements on Leary Ave NW, you can click here. 
  • Neighbors should expect to see temporary lane reductions, sidewalk detours, and parking restrictions in select areas of Leary Ave NW throughout the Summer and Fall. Construction is typically weekdays and select weekends from 7 AM – 4 PM.

SDOT is also working on Aurora Ave N and N 105th St/N Northgate Way where there are currently lane closures in place. SDOT will start construction in Fremont and Westlake later this year and into early 2025.

The transportation department says to expect the following during construction:

• Temporary lane reductions
• Temporary driveway closures
• Temporary bus stop closures
• Temporary parking restrictions
• Temporary sidewalk detours
• Temporary storage of construction supplies in the street  
• Temporary noise, dust and vibrations
• Bus stop relocations
• Drainage work: This involves digging trenches to help manage water flow
• Signal pole foundation excavation: This work involves digging for the pole foundations prior to when we order custom signal poles which takes a while to build and to make sure we know there are no underground obstructions  
• Trenching for conduit: This involves digging trenches to lay down pipes or cables underground
• Sidewalk curb bulb out: This involves making the curbs stick outward for safety or accessibility
• Mill and fill overlay: This is when the top layer of the road gets removed and replaced with new asphalt

Photo: Crew members perform trenching work on NW Market St and Ballard Ave NW for new pipes and cables with the help of an excavator. (SDOT)