Central Area North-South

Last Update: April 22, 2020

Like the rest of the world, here in Seattle, we're rethinking how we live and move around our city during the COVID 19 crisis and beyond. Mayor Jenny Durkan and SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe announced Safe Healthy Streets in support of Governor Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order and the City's #KeepItMoving campaign. If people go outside, we need them to keep moving and avoid gatherings.

To maintain at least 6 feet of space while passing a neighbor, people are walking in the street or crossing to the other side. Even though traffic volume is down 60%, there is still risk when people are walking in the streets where there are cars. To support people enjoying outdoor exercise safely, we're converting some existing neighborhood greenways, which are  calm residential streets, into Stay Healthy Streets starting this Saturday.

Initial analysis to select routes included ensuring street closures did not impact newly opened food pick up loading zones, parking around hospitals for service for health care professionals, and bus routes. We also considered areas with limited open space options, low car ownership, and where routes can connect people to essential services and food take out.

We're launching with about 2.5 miles in the Central District and West Seattle/High Point neighborhoods. Portions of neighborhood greenways along 25th Ave S and 34th Ave SW/SW Graham and Holly St/High Point Dr SW will open up to people living in the neighborhood for walking, rolling, and biking. Stay Healthy Streets are closed to through traffic - but not residents or deliveries - 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of the emergency or until otherwise noted by the City of Seattle. After an initial evaluation, we'll aim to convert about 15 miles in the coming weeks. We'll continue to re-evaluate after this weekend's pilot and work with community and stakeholders on additional suggestions and recommendations. Additional closures will be subject to change based on other orders, construction, and availability of crews and signs. For more details, read our blog.

We're also seeking volunteers to confirm road closure signs are still in place and conduct pedestrian and bicycling counts. Those interested in volunteering can email NorthSeattleGreenway@Seattle.gov. The counts will be used to monitor the success of Stay Healthy Streets, along with resident feedback- we'll have an online survey out in the next couple of weeks-- and any traffic impacts where vehicles are detoured

PDF of Central Area Stay Healthy Street