Bell St Protected Bike Lane
This project is complete!
Overview
The Bell St Protected Bike Lane provides a route that's comfortable for people of all ages and abilities, connecting the protected bike lane on 9th Ave N to the one on 2nd Ave. The project includes new accommodations for two-way bicycle traffic through Bell Street Park and calms traffic for all users.
Protected bike lanes in downtown Seattle connect pieces of the center city bike network and improve safety for everyone. As more people compete for limited street space, we've made a commitment to calm traffic and build out a network spine to make biking a real choice for people of all ages and abilities.
As a nonarterial street with a gentle grade, Bell St makes for an ideal connection between downtown, Belltown, and South Lake Union. Running along Bell St between 5th Ave and Denny Way, this project includes a two-way protected bike lane, concrete curb barriers with landscaping, and green striping at crossings. Additional traffic calming measures are implemented in Bell Street Park and bicyclists are be able to ride both ways (though no designated bicycle lanes are striped in the park). Bicyclists are now able to ride along Bell St and connect to protected bike lanes on 9th Ave N and 2nd Ave.
This project stemmed from the 2018 Bell Street Concept Plan, which outlines design options to create a pedestrian-focused and cohesive corridor along Bell St.
Project area and map
Project Design
Our project design includes a two-way protected bike lane, signage and traffic signal updates, and modifications to driving and parking lanes.
Project elements include:
- New two-way protected bike lane on the north side of Bell St, between 5th Ave and Denny Way*
- Changes to vehicular and parking lanes on Bell St, including some parking removal
- Changes to the intersection of 5th Ave and Bell St to prevent vehicles from traveling westbound (except emergency vehicles)
- Relocation of bus routes, stops, and layovers along Bell St (as of March 2020)
- For updates on the permanent reroute of buses, please visit King County Metro's website
- Replacement of traffic lights with stop signs on Bell St at the intersections with 3rd and 4th avenues
Download the project factsheet for more information.
This project will have minor impacts to Bell Street Park located between 5th Ave and 1st Ave:
- Minor revisions to signs and markings at intersections of Bell St with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues that will require permanent changes within Seattle Parks & Recreation property:
- New stop signs and stop bars at 3rd Ave and 4th Ave to replace traffic signal for westbound motorists
- New signs at 3rd Ave to clarify that westbound traffic must turn
- Minor changes within Bell Street Park have been determined to be de minimis under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Act of 1966. Compliance with Section 4(f) is required for projects receiving federal funding
- Changes at Bell St and 5th Ave to provide an east-west connection for bicyclists
- No right turn from 5th Ave onto Bell St
- New bike crossing ramp and signal heads at 5th Ave to connect the protected bike lane and Bell Street Park
What are protected bike lanes?
A protected bike lane is an exclusive bike facility that combines the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bike lane. A protected bike lane is physically separated from motor traffic and distinct from sidewalks.
These lanes have different forms but all share common elements: they provide space that is intended to be exclusively or primarily used for bicycles, and are separated from motor vehicle travel lanes, parking lanes, and sidewalks. Learn more at our protected bike lane page.
Schedule
| 30% Design | Spring 2019 |
| 60% Design | Summer 2019 |
| Final Design | Fall 2019 |
| Construction | Spring 2020 |
Funding
This project is funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Learn more about the levy at www.seattle.gov/LevytoMoveSeattle.
Get Involved
We're reaching out to Bell St stakeholders and community members. Have a question? Let us know! We're committed to keeping you informed in a variety of ways, including:
- The project email list (sign up here)
- Briefings and meetings along Bell St (as requested)
- Project mailings
- Updates to this web page
- Flyers dropped off at businesses and residential buildings
- Signs in the project area
- Prompt responses to your email inquiries
Materials
Project Factsheet (May 2020)
Construction Notice Mailer (May 2020)