Thomas St: 5th Ave N to Dexter Ave N

November 14, 2023

What’s happening now?

Construction has begun for the Thomas St project with work beginning at the intersection of Thomas St and Dexter Ave N. The project will include Seattle’s first protected intersection designed to support and prioritize safety for non-motorized traffic in the corridor.

In the coming weeks work will include:

Excavating trenches for electrical and water crossings
Installing electrical crossings
Water installation and fire hydrant relocation
Demolition of the existing roadway and sidewalk on the east side of the intersection

We have closed the intersection of Thomas St and Dexter Ave N during construction. There are detours in place and those are shown in the map below.

Detour routes showing bus detours on 6th and 7th, vehicles on Fairview, and northbound bike detour on 9th Ave.

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 Denny 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.

Map showing the plans for the protected intersection of Dexter and Denny

You can learn more about protected intersections by clicking this link.

What to Expect During Construction

Access to businesses and homes always maintained.
Partial or full road and sidewalk closures with posted detours.
Possible parking restrictions near work zones.
Typical work hours between 7AM and 6PM, Monday through Friday. Some evening or weekend work is likely.
Typical construction noise, dust, and vibrations will occur.

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.

Map showing project area on Thomas St between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N.

Graphic showing work on Thomas St 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. This project will begin implementation of the Thomas Street Redefined vision by establishing the vehicular use of Thomas St as defined by the vision in coordination with the 7th Ave N project. More intermediate and permanent improvements will follow as early as spring 2020.

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.

Schedule

Time line showing we are in construction

Planning (2019-2021): We collected traffic data, reviewed plans, and gathered community experiences to define options.
Design (2021-2023): We are collaborating with the community, and developing a more detailed final design.
Construction (as soon as fall 2023): We will construct the project and keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts.
Project completion (planned for 2024)

Project Materials

Click on the links below:

Construction Flyer (November 2023)