N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge Seismic Retrofit
Updated February 10, 2025
What’s happening now?
Major construction work to retrofit the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge is expected to be complete by the end of February. Construction crews have reinforced the bridge’s footing, installed carbon fiber wrapping to strengthen its towers and piers, and replaced damaged concrete including nearby sidewalks and curb ramps.
The photo above shows crews working on seismic retrofit for the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge, earlier this month (SDOT).
Due to recent weather conditions, crews have been unable to paint the carbon fiber they installed to strengthen the bridge and finish minor restorations. Once the crews are able to complete this work, we’ll remove the traffic control measures in place. Full project completion is expected by spring 2025.
Safety Reminders
- Street Closure: N 41st St is closed between Lynden Ave N and Whitman Ave N until construction is complete. This closure ensures safety for everyone traveling and allows crews to work as efficiently as possible.
- Lane and Sidewalk Closures: Sidewalks, crosswalks, and one bus lane on Aurora Ave N (either northbound or southbound depending on where work is occurring) will be temporarily closed at times to safely divert people walking, rolling, biking, and driving away from where work is occurring. Please follow all detour signs in place.
To receive project updates, sign up to join our project listserv.
Project Overview
Earthquakes could have a major impact on Seattle’s infrastructure. To address seismic risks to city infrastructure, the City of Seattle established a bridge seismic program to assess how vulnerable the City’s bridges were to earthquakes, and to reinforce bridges to better withstand the potential impacts of an earthquake.
As part of the Levy to Move Seattle, 16 bridges were selected for seismic reinforcements, including the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge. The N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge is an older bridge constructed in 1936 and provides a more direct connection across Aurora Ave N for the north Fremont neighborhood.
The photo above shows the N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge over Aurora Ave N before planned seismic retrofit improvements (Google Street view).
We're not changing the current use and operation of the bridge. The N 41st St Pedestrian Bridge seismic retrofit will strengthen existing bridge components and reduce the bridge’s vulnerability to earthquakes. Major construction work includes:
- Retrofitting the bridge’s footing.
- Installing carbon fiber wrapping to strengthen the bridge’s towers.
- Repairing cracks and damaged concrete.
- Replacing bolts throughout the bridge.
- Replacement of impacted concrete panels and curb ramps
What to expect during construction
Construction began in September 2024 and is anticipated to be complete by spring 2025.
In addition to temporary car travel lane, sidewalk, and crosswalk closures, we currently anticipate the following construction impacts:
- Work in the public right-of-way near your home or business
- Temporary on-street parking restrictions, with "no park" signs placed 72 hours in advance
- Staged construction equipment and materials as well as noise, dust, and vibrations in the work area
- Typical weekday work hours of 7 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday
Project schedule
30% Design | Complete |
60 % Dsign | Complete |
90% Design | Complete |
Final Design | Complete |
Construction Began | September 2024 |
Construction schedules are also subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials.
Funding
The project is funded through the Levy to Move Seattle. Approved by voters in 2015, the 9-year, $930 million Levy to Move Seattle provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.
Get involved
We're committed to keeping you informed and working with neighbors to limit construction impacts to the extent feasible. Here are some ways to get more information about the project:
- Sign up for our project listserv to receive weekly project updates
- Email the project team at BridgeSeismicRetrofit@seattle.gov
- Leave a voicemail at (206) 775-8734. A project representative will return your call.
Materials
We’ll update you with project materials such as mailings, flyers, and fact sheets as they are created throughout the construction phase of the project.
Translation and interpretation
- If you need this information translated, please call (206) 775-8734.
- 如果您需要此信息翻譯成中文 請致電 (206) 775-8734.
- Kung kailangan mo ang impormasyon na ito na nakasalin sa Tagalog mangyari lamang na tumawag sa (206) 775-8734.
- Si necesita traducir esta información al español, llame al (206) 775-8734.
- Odeeffannoon kun akka siif (206) 775-8734.
- Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này chuyển ngữ sang tiếng Việt xin gọi (206) 775-8734.
- የዚህን መረጃ ትርጉም ከፈለጉ፣ በዚህ ስልክ ቁጥር ይደውሉ፡ (206) 775-8734.
- ናይዚ ሓበሬታ ትርጉም እንተደሊኹም፣ በዚ ቁጽሪ ስልኪ ይድውሉ፡ (206) 775-8734.
- 당신이 번역이 정보를 필요로하는 경우에, (206) 775-8734? 전화 해주십시오.