Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations

Spring 2026

Lake Washington Boulevard is a valued space and vital connection for communities in Southeast Seattle and beyond. Your input played a key role in shaping the design of the safety and access improvements in this project. Learn more here: Outreach Summary for the Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations Project. 

Next Steps

Throughout Phase 1 and Phase 2 of this project (2024-2025) Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) continued to engage with community members, collect traffic data, and construct and monitor several traffic calming solutions. After considering the combination of community feedback, traffic data, and assessment of improvements made in Phase 1 and Phase 2, we plan to build additional speed cushion locations, construct new walkways at two locations along the corridor, construct traffic calming improvements at the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd S and S Orcas St with lane restriping and flex posts, and install traffic control swing gates that will be used for road closures during Bicycle Weekends and other opportunities as needed. More details about these improvements can be found on the map and in the corresponding text below. 

View map here

• Improve access for all modes of travel
• Increase bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Preserve and improve the park experience 

Anticipated Construction Schedule

Phase 1: Fall 2024 - Complete - Focus on reducing people’s driving speeds to enhance safety for all travelers

• 43rd Ave S
  • Marked pedestrian crossing
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection) 
• 46th Ave S 
  
  • Painted curb extensions
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection)
• 49th Ave S
  • Marked pedestrian crossing  
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection)
• Curve between 50th Ave S and 51st Ave S
  • Tree planting to replace missing trees
• S Adams St
  • Marked pedestrian crossing
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection) 
• S Genesee Way
  • Marked pedestrian crossing
  • Painted walkway connection through parking lot
  • Bike corral  
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection) 
• Curve between 53rd Ave S and S Alaska St
  • Tree planting to replace missing trees
• S Ferdinand St
  • Marked pedestrian crossing (north leg)
  • 2 speed cushions (both approaches to intersection) 

Phase 2: Summer/Fall 2025 - Focus on pedestrian comfort and enhanced safety for all travelers 

• Lake Park Dr S
  • Updated reflective crosswalk signage  
  • Boulders between trees (illegal parking deterrent) 
• Lake Washington Fishing Pier (North mile)
  • Two new benches
  • 51st Ave S
• Paint and post curb extensions 
  • S Adams St
  • Sidewalk connection to from the northeast corner of Lake Washington Blvd S and S Adams St to the Lake Washington Blvd Trail
  • Accessible curb ramps at all four corners of Lake Washington Blvd S and S Adams St.
• S Dawson St 
  • Marked pedestrian crossings (north and south legs)  

Phase 3:

Phase 3 project elements – Anticipated Construction in 2026: 

• Lake WA Boulevard Pathway (Mount Baker Beach to Genesee Park)
  • Priority improvements along the pathway will be completed in 2026 in areas with the greatest need, and the greatest benefit to the most users with the available funding.
• 43rd Ave S  from S Genessee St to Lake Washington Boulevard 
  • Paved asphalt walkway.
  • Advanced stage design is complete and SDOT is currently seeking permits through the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SCDI).
• From the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd S and S Adams St to Lake Washington Boulevard Trail 
  • Paved walkway connection from the southeast corner of the intersection to the trail.
• Speed Cushions (new speed cushions will be placed on Lake Washington Blvd in accordance with SDOT standards for design and spacing)
  • Lake Park Dr S (speed cushions on both approaches to the intersection)
  • Fishing Pier between Lake Park Dr S and S Horton St (speed cushions on both approaches to the pier)
  • S Horton St (during design SDOT will determine the appropriate location for two speed cushion locations) 
  • 51st Ave S (during design SDOT will determine if there will be one or two speed cushions at this location based on assessment of existing speed cushions and other standards for design and spacing of speed cushions)
  • Curve between 53th Ave S and S Alaska St (speed cushions on both approaches to the curve)
  • S Dawson St (speed cushions on both approaches to the intersection)
• Lake Washington Blvd S and S Orcas St Traffic Calming
  • Curb bulbs will be constructed with paint and flex posts to simplify transportation operations within the intersection.
• Bicycle Weekend Swing Gates
  • Design and installation of swing gates at three locations along Lake Washington Blvd in 2026:
    • S of Mount Baker Beach Parking lot.
    • Lakewood Ave S and S Horton St.
    • N of 43rd Ave S and Lake Washington Bvld.
• Vehicle Speed Data from Lake Washington Blvd: SDOT conducted speed studies at the locations and dates below. This data represents combined north and south vehicle speeds. The posted speed limit on this corridor is 25 mph.
  • Lake Washington Blvd S between S Ferdinand St and S Angeline St – speed cushions were constructed in late summer/early fall 2024:
    • From 9/28/23 to 10/5/23 the 85th Percentile Speed was 34.9 mph.
    • From 10/16/24 to 10/23/24 the 85th Percentile Speed was 31.2 mph.
      • This was the first speed study conducted with speed cushions present at this location.
    • From 12/3/25 to 12/10/25 the 85th Percentile Speed was 29.9 mph.
  • Lake Washington Blvd S between S Horton St and Lake Park Dr S – no speed cushions have been constructed at this location as of Spring 2026:
    • No speed studies were conducted at this location in 2023.
    • From 10/16/24 to 10/23/24 the 85th Percentile Speed was 34.9 mph.
    • From 12/3/25 to 12/10/25 the 85th Percentile Speed was 36.3 mph.
  • Lake Washington Blvd between S Dawson St and S Orcas St – no speed cushions have been constructed at this location as of Spring 2026:
    • No speed studies were conducted at this location in 2023.
    • From 10/16/24 to 10/23/24 the 85th Percentile Speed was 30.4 mph.
    • From 12/3/25 to 12/10/25 the 85th Percentile Speed was 32.0 mph.