Project Complete
This project was completed in 2025.
Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N
January 28, 2025
Our improvements on Thomas St are now complete! This important project enhances the east/west connection through the Cascade neighborhood, South Lake Union, and the Seattle Center. Thomas St now functions as a safer, greener, and more accessible street for everyone.
At the heart of this project is Seattle’s first protected intersection at Thomas St and Dexter Ave N. This intersection includes a traffic signal designed to make crossing easier and safer for people walking and biking. By connecting Thomas St with the popular Dexter Ave N bike lanes, the project fills a key gap in the citywide biking network, making it easier to get around on two wheels.
These improvements also highlight Thomas St's role as a green street, prioritizing pedestrians, cyclists, and urban greenery. The changes help during events at the Seattle Center by improving non-motorized traffic flow. The sidewalk and landscaping next to Seattle City Light’s Broad Street Substation have been improved. This was done in coordination with the new bike facility as part of the public benefit agreement for the street vacation of Broad Street.
Currently the plaza at the intersection of Thomas St and 5th Ave is an interim condition until funding for the permanent design is secured. Once that is received, we will begin implementing the previously developed community vision for this area, which will include additional seating and landscaping.
We’re proud of how this project will make traveling through the area safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Thank you to the community for your patience and support as we worked to complete this transformation!
Project Gallery
Project Overview
In coordination with Seattle City Light and other adjacent property owners, we will make improvements on Thomas St between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N.
As part of the Thomas Street Redefined concept plan, the design focuses on improvements including a half-block closure at Thomas St east of 5th Ave N, Seattle’s first protected intersection at Dexter Ave N and Thomas St, and bicycle facilities between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N.
We initiated the first phase of improvements along this corridor by constructing an interim diverter at Dexter Ave N. This was completed in conjunction with the new traffic signal at Thomas St and 7th Ave N (formerly Aurora Ave N). The purpose of this diverter is to lower vehicle traffic volumes along Thomas St, which has been prioritized for people walking and biking. This improvement changed access to Thomas St from Dexter Ave N and allows Thomas St to function as a right in - right out only street.
Seattle’s First Protected Intersection
The Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N Project includes the installation of Seattle’s first protected intersection, which is designed to support and prioritize safety for non-motorized traffic in the corridor. The protected intersection will include traffic signals to make it safer for people walking and biking to cross Dexter Ave N. It will also provide an important connection in the citywide biking network by linking the greenway on Thomas St to the popular Dexter Ave N bike lanes, as well as extending the connection to the Seattle Center from South Lake Union.
You can learn more about protected intersections by clicking this link.
Project Maps
Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N
The project extent is along Thomas St from 5th Ave N to 9th Ave N and along Taylor Ave N between Thomas St and Harrison St. Most of the improvements in this project will be installed between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N, with some minor improvements between Dexter Ave N to 9th Ave N to connect to the existing protected bike lanes at Dexter Ave N and 9th Ave N.
The this link for a larger image.
Project Background
Thomas St is an important east/west green street and public realm connection, linking the Cascade neighborhood through South Lake Union to the Seattle Center. This project stemmed from the Thomas Street Redefined Plan and is identified in the Bicycle Master Plan as a Neighborhood Greenway.
This project will construct a protected intersection at Thomas St and Dexter Ave N to support and prioritize non-motorized traffic in this corridor, particularly around event times at the Seattle Center. The protected intersection will include a traffic signal to make it easier for people walking and biking to cross Dexter Ave N. This will provide an important connection in the citywide biking network by linking Thomas St to the popular Dexter Ave N bike lanes.
Thomas Street Redefined
Thomas Street Redefined is a community-driven, visionary concept plan for a pedestrian and bicyclist-oriented corridor connecting the Waterfront, Uptown, Seattle Center, South Lake Union, and Eastlake neighborhoods.
Thomas Street Redefined consist of two parts: West of Seattle Center (connecting Seattle Center to the Elliott Bay Trail via Thomas St Overpass) and East of Seattle Center (connecting Seattle Center to Eastlake). This project is the first phase of the East of Seattle Center connection.
Project Materials
Click on the links below:
Construction Flyer (November 2023)