SDOT’s plan for spending Seattle Transportation Levy money this year: Here are West Seattle highlights

The question invariably arises – voters passed a levy, so how’s the money being spent? SDOT has just released its “draft plan” for spending Seattle Transportation Levy dollars this year. You’ll recall that voters approved the eight-year, $1.55 billion levy in fall 2024, so this is its second year. The draft 2-026 plan – see it in its entirety here – will be presented Thursday morning (February 5) to the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee chaired by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka. It lists hundreds of projects/locations by name, though without specifics, so we went through it to get the West Seattle highlights, under the classifications used in the plan. Note that these are just the West Seattle mentions – and there are hundreds of projects listed from elsewhere in the city; projects are generally categorized in the plan as either being in design this year or starting construction:

VISION ZERO: Highland Park Way hill project, design
California/Oregon, construction
SW Barton between 26th and 29th, construction
West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span, construction

TRAFFIC CALMING: Harbor Ave from California to Spokane, construction

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL: Projects for Denny IMS, Highland Park Elementary, Madison MS, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Roxhill Elementary zones

‘NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATED SAFETY PROJECTS’: Highland Park greenway/traffic calming, North Delridge all-way stop, South Delridge traffic calming and daylighting

‘NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS’: Planning will start for 26th between Brandon and Juneau. 63rd between Alki and Admiral, SW 100th between 35th and 44th, SW 106th between 35th and Marine View Drive, SSW Holden between 12th and 11th

SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, ASPHALT: 35th SW, 108th to 111th; 106th, 32nd to 35th

SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, CONCRETE: 30th/Genesee

TRANSIT SPOT IMPROVEMENTS: Barton/29th layover, construction; Fauntleroy/Rose, design

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION: Barton, 21st-23rd; Brandon, Delridge-23rd and 25th-26th; Hudson, Delridge to 26th

SIDEWALK DESIGN: 21st, Dawson to Graham; 22nd, Henderson to Thistle; Brandon, 26th to 30th

CURB RAMPS: 30th/Dakota, 31st/Barton, 45th/Charlestown, 47th/Frontenac, California at Ida, Austin, Webster

CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS: SW Charlestown, 45th to 55th; Delridge at Cloverdale, design

NEW SIGNAL: California/Walker

SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AND CROSSING IMPROVEMENT: California/Erskine/Edmunds

SIGNAL TIMING: Design for 47th/Admiral improvement

ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS: 26th/Barton, Fauntleroy/Dawson, design

NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANE: Highland Park Way hill project, design

PROTECTED BIKE LANE UPGRADE: Admiral Way, Spokane to Lander, design

‘PEOPLE STREETS’: Lander, 18th, in design

FREIGHT: SW Manning crossing improvement, “derelict rail removal” on West Marginal Way

Some categories promised such a high number of projects – like sidewalk repairs – that they weren’t called out by name/location. Also keep in mind that this is not the entirety of what SDOT is working on – just what the levy is funding; they have other non-levy work too. Many of these led us to wonder “what exactly will be done THERE?” and so we have followup questions out to SDOT. Meantime, you can watch their briefing for the council committee at 9:30 am Thursday, either in person or via Seattle Channel. The agenda explains how to comment, though also keep in mind, this isn’t something they’ll be voting on. One more note: As for how they spent levy dollars in Year 1, this new “dashboard” might answer some questions.

Beach Dr repaving February 2, 2026 (4:28 pm)

Are there any updates on the gas line replacement on Beach Drive? It looks like the project is done, but the road is still covered in horrible patches that make it unsafe for biking.

GF February 2, 2026 (5:05 pm)

Best use of tax dollars. I believe it is as low as about $44 per month for an average priced home. And look at all these projects we directly get to benefit from!

Rhonda February 2, 2026 (7:45 pm)

Reply

We get to spend $44 each per month to have more driving restrictions and more unnecessary traffic stoppages.
- bill February 2, 2026 (10:44 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  The problem with selling safety improvements is members of the public will never know which safety improvements saved their lives.
- Coop February 2, 2026 (11:29 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  As someone who hates being killed by a reckless driver, I’m more than happy to pay for improvements that will force you to slow down and pay attention to the road.
- E February 3, 2026 (5:52 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Yes! I look forward to other forms of personal mobility becoming safer and more comfortable. Get out of your car and join us!

CarDriver February 2, 2026 (5:14 pm)

WSB. What exactly do they mean with the WS bridge central eastbound span, construction?

WSB February 2, 2026 (5:39 pm)

Reply

As I wrote above, I have followup questions out seeking details for many projects on the list; that’s one of them.

Kathy February 2, 2026 (5:18 pm)

Good if they could turn 63rd Ave SW into something that doesn’t function as a drag strip.Would like to see some bike lanes on Fauntleroy between Avalon and Alaska. West Seattle was cheated when the city took away the funding from the Fauntleroy project in the previous levy.

Plush February 2, 2026 (11:30 pm)

Reply

Fauntleroy desperately needs protected bike lanes.
- Kathy February 3, 2026 (11:43 am)
  
  Reply
  
  I plan to stand with a petition for bike lanes on Fauntleroy Way between Avalon and Alaska. I will probably be standing at the Starbucks corner during the Thursday afternoon commute. If you are a person who would like to see these bike lanes, please take a minute to stop and sign the petition.Subject: Bike Lanes on Fauntleroy Way SW-> We strongly support bike lanes on Fauntleroy Way SW between Avalon Way SW and SW Alaska Street.-> This corridor sees heavy bike and heavy vehicle traffic-> SDOT Crash data shows 13 collisions in this corridor in the last 3 years-> Bike Lanes in this corridor were fully funded in the 2015 Move Seattle Levy “Fauntleroy Boulevard Project”-> Funds for bike lane construction were removed from the levy in 2018 and design shelved-> This route connects bike commuters from West Seattle to downtown and to businesses along the corridor.-> Suggested reroutes off Fauntleroy Way conflict with imminent major commercial construction (Alki Lumber)Therefore we, the undersigned, request that SDOT add bike lanes to this corridor
E February 3, 2026 (5:55 am)

Reply

100% agreed! I’d love to see protected bike lanes for both directions the length of fauntleroy. Get rid of the two lanes or the middle turning lane where necessary. My neighbor referred to the 2 lane section coming off the bridge as a highway. She’s not wrong…

Sarah February 2, 2026 (6:13 pm)

I’m so frustrated to see the Fauntleroy & Rose crosswalk project back-burnered yet again. This was supposed to be done in late 2024, then 2025, then SDOT presented their design to the Fautleroy Community Association last fall with a plan to install the first half of this year. A couple FCA members nitpicked silly details and now this is back to “design” with no installation planned for 2026? I’ll be making sure my neighbors know about yet another delay. We’ll be pushing SDOT on this.

WSB February 2, 2026 (9:03 pm)

Reply

That’s one of my followup questions, whether this really means it won’t be built before 2027.

Mellow Kitty February 2, 2026 (6:42 pm)

Hey! There’s a lot of good projects on the list. This is how I like seeing my tax dollars spent.

Platypus February 3, 2026 (4:03 pm)

Reply

Really great to see some big impacts

BullS February 2, 2026 (6:54 pm)

How do I request speed bumps on my street?Busy street

Caleigh February 2, 2026 (7:50 pm)

Dang, really hoped for improvements on SW 106th east of 35th, which is why I participated in that sidewalk meet up last year. 35th to Marine View Drive is already the best stretch of road for sidewalks on 106th…east of 35th there are stretches with no sidewalk on either side.

WSB February 2, 2026 (9:02 pm)

Reply

This is just this year’s plan. There are six more years in the levy, so likely more sidewalks to come.
- Caleigh February 3, 2026 (7:43 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Ah, good to know!

Look Both Ways February 2, 2026 (9:16 pm)

Vision Zero = Zero Vision. The Highland Park Way lane removal project is a misguided waste of tax funds.

Jim February 2, 2026 (11:59 pm)

Reply

Absolutely!
Foop February 3, 2026 (12:48 am)

Reply

I can’t wait for it and I let sdot know every chance I get. It’s a waste to drive to Southpark and Georgetown with them being so close and the only think stopping my partner from joining me on bike rides down there is lack of safe infrastructure that doesn’t add 10 miles round trip. As someone who drives it multiple times a week I’ve never seen the hill backed up, but I do see people driving recklessly fast up and down it.
- Vision zero sense February 3, 2026 (5:42 am)
  
  Reply
  
  When this wave of “vision zero” madness inevitably recedes, we will have to spend even more money to undo all of the stupidity that it had forced upon us. It’s truly maddening to have to watch this happen knowing that it will inevitable be undone if we even elect decent leaders in the city.
- Kyle February 3, 2026 (7:11 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Did you not live here during the bridge detour?
  - bill February 3, 2026 (9:36 am)
    
    Reply
    
    Is the bridge closed again?
  - Foop February 3, 2026 (10:38 am)
    
    Reply
    
    I did, and I live in this neighborhood. The issue I experienced was never HPW itself but that surrounding streets backing up due to the lights and the fact that it’s fed from all other surrounding areas, Austin, 16th, 9th.I also bike commute whenever possible within the city so the biggest issue for me during the closure was when people started driving again and everyone lost all sense of sanity behind a wheel post pandemic.theres no reason for HPW to be 2 lanes assuming you’re driving the speed limit or close to it.
    - Kyle February 3, 2026 (11:07 am)
      
      “The issue I experienced was never HPW itself but that surrounding streets backing up due to the lights and the fact that it’s fed from all other surrounding areas, Austin, 16th, 9th.” -What do you think is going to happen when it becomes a single file lane?! Back up twice as much with the same feeders.That’s why it’s two lanes, halving the capacity is short sighted. The bike lane can be improved in the existing median.
    - Foop February 3, 2026 (1:50 pm)
      
      It will be fine, you will survive. You’ll still be able to race down to the red light 90% of the time. Just like the marginal way lane reductions, we’ll all survive this trying time. The histrionics are unbelievable. We live in a beautiful place and a lot of folks can’t be bothered to get out of their chairs to see it.
  - Platypus February 3, 2026 (4:08 pm)
    
    Reply
    
    If anything the bridge closing showed us all how fragile we all are. If you have a single mode of transportation, and that single mode is blocked/broken, what are you going to do? Everyone should have a bus pass, know there routes, own a bicycle, walk when they can. Practice alternatives, even if you still 100% drive you know options. Resiliency is necessary. I would never want to be so fragile that a single failure in a complex system keeps me from getting around.
    - Kyle February 3, 2026 (5:00 pm)
      
      So reducing lane capacity makes the system less fragile? This proposal adds no additional buses, no transit. The bike lane can be improved and built in the existing median, that sounds great. The rest all seems punitive and short sighted.
E February 3, 2026 (5:57 am)

Reply

I look forward to cycling on a safe path out of West Seattle! This will likely make this street safer for motorists as well.
- Platypus February 3, 2026 (4:09 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Not to mention reduce car traffic. That path will be really enticing, all those people that bought ebikes during Covid will have a true alternative that they’ll want to try out.
Corla February 3, 2026 (9:39 am)

Reply

100% waste of money. Lived near this hill my whole life and its not worth removing a whole lane for the supposedly huge amount of people that walk or ride up/down this hill. Could have improved the huge side walk for this. People that have seen the back up that happened during the bridge closure or even during peak times for people going/coming from work to home should know this is a terrible idea and just makes it worse for people that live in that area.
Actually Mike February 3, 2026 (11:47 am)

Reply

The bridge isn’t closed right now but it can happen again any time. Removing traffic lanes from the Highland Park hill is a monumentally bad idea and completely unnecessary. Widen the pedestrian pathway on the east side of the street and make a protected bike / walk lane there for a fraction the cost–and avoid making a complete disaster of this arterial choke point.

junctioneer February 2, 2026 (9:20 pm)

Interesting about Admiral and Walker. I would have assumed there would be higher priority crosswalks to get signals. Probably due to the flashing signage for the firetrucks I’ve never had to wait long for cars to stop of their own accord there.

walker February 3, 2026 (9:05 am)

Reply

Agree. I walk here all the time and frequently cross California at this location. As a pedestrian I’ve never have to wait more than ~10 seconds for a large enough gap between cars to allow me to cross. There’s got to be intersections with greater need than this one.

Jim February 2, 2026 (11:58 pm)

So basically millions of dollars for the war on cars

E February 3, 2026 (6:01 am)

Reply

Woo-hoo! After subsidizing motorists for so long, I’m glad to see some movement toward safer paths for those of us who cannot or will not operate a motor vehicle. Won’t someone think of the children?! Only partly joking…
Lauren February 3, 2026 (7:45 am)

Reply

If there’s one phrase I hope to never hear again in my lifetime it’s “war on cars”
Mellow Kitty February 3, 2026 (7:48 am)

Reply

I think of it as installing protection for pedestrians. It’s been my observation (having almost been hit several times in marked crosswalks) that drivers do not care about anything outside of their own car. Red lights don’t count for the first 5 seconds. Speed limits are seen as a suggestion. Bike lanes become turning lanes. Turning lanes become passing lanes. Turning right? No need to look to look right, only the cars coming the left matter. No need to pay attention to people on the sidewalks trying to cross on a walk signal.
bill February 3, 2026 (9:56 am)

Reply

About 17 walkers and cyclists were killed by drivers last year in Seattle, Jim. The cars continue brutally victorious, as they always have.
Platypus February 3, 2026 (4:12 pm)

Reply

If the cars would stop killing, the people wouldn’t need to fight back. Maybe its really a war on people?
Paul February 3, 2026 (5:04 pm)

Reply

It’s been a war on people since before any of us were born.

Karen February 3, 2026 (7:53 am)

Removal of the lane on Highland Park Way may solve/improve one issue but it will create a greater one.

i35 February 3, 2026 (8:27 am)

Can we actually finally get the lane reduction on 35th we were supposed to get years ago? People drive twice the speed limit and don’t stop at the stoplights.

Platypus February 3, 2026 (2:27 pm)

Reply

That would be a huge improvement. Its unnecessarily large for the traffic. Even keep 4 lanes but make the two other lanes bus only, really turn it into a transit corridor.
- Kyle February 3, 2026 (5:12 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  I would actually be for this. Get rid of the slalom course for the street parking spots for SFH’s. 35th should have some of those big beautiful apartment buildings I keep hearing all the cheering about. Road dieting seems the wrong approach for a growing city.
  - i35 February 4, 2026 (8:30 am)
    
    Reply
    
    The only block that has notable numbers of cars parked in the street between Morgan and Avalon is between Graham and Raymond where there are apartment buildings. Increased density (and street parking) would probably actually have a calming effect since it’d make the road seem less overly wide. (And fwiw people seem to speed less between Graham and Raymond, it’s only north of Raymond that people really floor it.)
    
    I’m not sure how much density is going to increase also 35th for a while though in this economy. Although there are the two townhome complexes going up on either side near Dawson.
    
    Bus lanes would be an improvement, but what the street really needs beyond a diet is a central turn lane. All the houses have driveways and there are frequent rear-end collisions while people wait to turn left.
    - Kyle February 4, 2026 (5:21 pm)
      
      There is no central turn lane in parts because of the compromise to allow for parked cars in front of some SFH’s. Get rid of that and you can have 4 lanes and a center turn lane.

Admiral2009 February 3, 2026 (9:18 am)

junctionare – I too noticed the California (not Admiral) at Walker signal and have never had any issue crossing California at this intersection. SDOT must be flush with money to install another unwarranted signal.

junctioneer February 3, 2026 (3:06 pm)

Reply

Thanks for the correction–California & Walker!

Doug February 3, 2026 (10:18 am)

Whatever happened to the Fauntleroy Way Boulevard Project–on permanent hold, I assume?

When you look at that area’s density, you’d think SDOT could muster one or two crosswalks at the very least.

WSB February 3, 2026 (10:31 am)

Reply

A reduced version of that is written into the levy legislation but I didn’t see anything in this year’s levy plan. However, as noted, this isn’t all the work that SDOT is doing this year – they also have work via “regular” funding – so just because something’s not in this plan doesn’t *necessarily* mean it’s not happening at all.

wetone February 3, 2026 (12:06 pm)

$44. a month for many projects supposedly to had been done from past levy funding. Little accountability from SDOT with wise and common-sense spending. SDOT’s practice today is let roadway and elevated structures fall into disrepair along with other dedicated project money spent elsewhere within city. Then SDOT has new levy with new story knowing most all taxpayers in Seattle just pass the levy’s without question. Hard to keep a focused direction when you can’t keep a director for more than a few years ;)

On the run February 3, 2026 (7:09 pm)

35th Ave was listed as a number one priority last year for traffic calming, bike lanes and pedestrian crossings. Looks like that got dropped altogether.

WSB February 3, 2026 (7:58 pm)

Reply

As noted, this is only the 2026 plan. There are six more years in the levy. Just means it’s not on the levy plan for THIS year.