On June 11, Seattle officials celebrated the completion of a significant $17.45 million upgrade to Pike Street and Pine Street, aimed at improving safety and connectivity between Downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill.
Mayor Bruce Harrell led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, emphasizing that this project fulfills a core promise of his Downtown Activation Plan.
The revitalization of these streets has been in progress for years, initially set in motion under a previous administration.
“More people are returning downtown for work, events, shopping, and dining,” Harrell stated at the event.
“With the upcoming Club World Cup and the World Cup in 2026, this corridor is designed to keep downtown moving — both for everyday use and global events.”
The project represents a long journey towards creating a more multimodal transit corridor, featuring several key improvements.
Among the enhancements are upgraded bike lanes on Pike and Pine, which now incorporate planters and curbs for added safety for cyclists.
The city also widened the sidewalks on the bridges over I-5, a change that required extensive negotiations with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which owns the structure and initially expressed concerns about the added weight.
WSDOT eventually approved the design, allowing the project to move forward.
Funding for the Pike Pine improvements primarily came from a public benefits package associated with the $2 billion Washington State Convention Center Addition.
In 2017, advocates successfully persuaded city officials to increase this package to $83 million, of which $10 million was designated for enhancements to Pike and Pine streets.
That same year, the city unveiled early designs for what was originally called the Pike Pine Renaissance project.
The corridor now features 1.2 miles of new or improved protected bike lanes stretching from 2nd Avenue to Bellevue and Melrose Avenues.
The Mayor’s Office shared details that these upgrades also include new bike signals and enhanced buffers between cyclists and vehicles.
Other improvements consist of new push-button crosswalk signals, curb ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks featuring contrasting colors, creating a cohesive experience throughout the corridor.
More than 1,400 plants and new seating have also been added across 23 city blocks, enhancing the aesthetic and functional quality of the streets.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the newly widened sidewalk overlooking the freeway, and organizers ensured sound amplification for speakers to be heard over the traffic noise.
Further challenges arose up the hill at the complicated intersection where Pike meets Melrose Avenue, leading to last-minute design adjustments as users still face some issues.
Angela Brady, director of the Office of the Waterfront, highlighted that these upgrades are an essential component of the Seattle Waterfront Program — an extensive $806 million project related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.
This program aims to replace the dismantled double-decker highway with new streets and widened boulevards, alongside improvements like Overlook Walk and the Park Promenade near Pike Place Market.
According to Brady, “Pike and Pine streets are now greener and more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly, providing enjoyable and accessible connections to Seattle’s downtown core, Capitol Hill, Pike Place Market, and our new iconic Waterfront Park.”
She emphasized that the enhancements across the 23 blocks would facilitate more seamless experiences for those wishing to enjoy all downtown has to offer, while also providing convenient access to the waterfront.
Despite advocates pushing for full pedestrianization as part of the project, the city ultimately allowed only one half-block of Pike Street between First and Second Avenue to be transformed into a curbless street, designed for flexible use as a plaza or festival street without general-purpose vehicle traffic.
This block now serves as a popular pedestrian-only zone, redesigned with new furniture, signage, and planters, thanks to a partnership between SDOT and the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) that aims to activate the space with daily events and programming throughout the summer.
The Harrell Administration is also exploring a pedestrianization pilot program on Pike Place, which has been a result of years of advocacy from urbanists and safe streets organizations.
Leaders from safe streets groups were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Pike/Pine route.
Gordon Padelford, executive director of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, noted that high-quality protected bike lanes encourage more people to bike or roll around the city.
“The Pike Pine Streetscape and Bicycle Improvements Project connects two of Seattle’s densest neighborhoods with safe, high-quality protected bike infrastructure suitable for all ages and abilities,” Padelford remarked.
Lee Lambert, executive director of Cascade Bicycle Club, highlighted the importance of developing safe facilities in areas of heavy traffic.
“The completion of the protected bike lanes on Pike and Pine demonstrates that Seattle’s bike network can expand effectively along our busiest travel corridors,” Lambert stated.
He emphasized that prioritizing safe and direct connections between neighborhoods not only enhances mobility but also fosters a thriving environment.
“This represents an investment in bike safety, advancing toward a more inclusive transportation system that accommodates everyone — from bikers and walkers to drivers and transit users.”
With one critical bike connection successfully upgraded, advocates are now turning their attention to future projects.
Lambert pointed to the opportunities presented by the $1.55 billion Seattle Transportation Levy approved by voters in 2024, which, while more general than its predecessor, promises 10 miles of new protected bike lanes.
Many funding sources within the levy could support further improvements to the biking infrastructure as well.
“I’m enthusiastic about the levy’s resources for upcoming projects, but it will pose challenges regarding public space usage,” Lambert noted.
As bike lanes are integrated, street safety is improved, but this might involve narrowing existing lanes or reallocating parking spaces.
He expressed hope for enhancing bike connectivity in South Seattle and making essential east-west connections in the northern part of the city, recognizing existing difficulties in achieving these goals.
The levy includes funds to upgrade existing bike lanes, expanding on the Seattle Department of Transportation’s “Even Better Bike Lane” initiative.
Lambert anticipates the introduction of 17 miles of improved bike barriers, making them more accessible for a broader range of riders, particularly those who are less experienced.
He advocates for prioritizing immediate connections, followed by a focus on widening bottlenecks in the system as funding allows.
He expressed the need to concentrate on developing the South Seattle bike network, where many potential riders feel unsafe.
Concurrently, with the growing popularity of a car-free Pike Place and rising concerns over increasing pedestrian fatalities, there are no immediate plans to pedestrianize additional streets in the area.
However, sidewalk upgrades and expansions funded by the levy will contribute to improvements.
While a grand strategy to transform Seattle’s streets into a pedestrian-friendly environment remains a distant goal, efforts still continue.
At the ribbon-cutting event, business leaders also spoke to the significance of a pleasant pedestrian environment.
Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, underscored, “A delightful pedestrian experience is critical for creating a healthy and vibrant downtown.”
Scholes referenced ongoing plans to lid the downtown section of I-5 to mitigate noise from the highway.
The benefits package associated with the convention center project also allocated $1.5 million for studying this lidding.
Anne Johnson, general manager of The State Hotel, which borders the new pedestrianized block of Pike Street, echoed the enthusiasm for the pedestrian-friendly environment.
“We are thrilled about the potential this space offers for pedestrians,” Johnson said.
She added, “A pedestrian-friendly environment isn’t just a nice touch, it’s an economic catalyst. When people feel safe and comfortable walking, they explore, linger, and support local businesses.”
Additionally, the project included elements of public art, enhancing the overall community experience.
Gülgün Kayim, Director of the Office of Arts & Culture, stated that the integration of art into infrastructures, such as railings, planters, and concrete bike lane buffers, creates a visual identity uniting Capitol Hill through downtown to Pike Place Market.
“Pike and Pine are the most significant east-west streets in central Downtown,” Kayim remarked.
“The artwork by Derek Bruno and Gage Hamilton, titled Sound to Summit, melds art with infrastructure, connecting the vitality of Capitol Hill with the retail heart, Pike Place Market, and our incredible waterfront.”
As the ribbon was cut, Pike and Pine Streets resumed their role as vital arteries connecting two bustling hubs in Seattle — downtown and Capitol Hill.
image source from：theurbanist
