As Seattle gears up for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, city planners are grappling with traffic issues that could overshadow the event’s festivities. The upcoming influx of visitors, especially with the Seattle Center slated to host the Seattle Fan Celebration, has heightened concerns about the efficiency of the city’s transportation infrastructure.
One of the focal points of these challenges is Denny Way, which has been identified as a problematic corridor for both traffic and transit. Critics have noted several redundant right turns along this route, particularly at Westlake Ave, which contribute to congestion.
Officials believe that restricting the right turn from southbound Queen Anne Ave to westbound Denny Way could alleviate some of the backup issues faced by left turn lanes. Moreover, there is a call to reconsider the right turn from northbound Westlake Ave onto eastbound Denny Way. The dedicated phase for this turn often leads to traffic blockages, making it a bottleneck for other traffic movements.
Eliminating this turn could enhance the functionality of existing transit lanes for Route 40, RapidRide C, and the SLU Streetcar, thereby improving speed and reliability for public transit users.
Another significant recommendation includes blocking the right turn towards the I-5 on-ramp. This turn is seen as a primary cause of traffic congestion on eastbound Denny. Advocates argue that the closure would provide drivers with alternative routes via Mercer Street or the 99 tunnel to the north and Howell to the south.
There’s even a signed alternative route to I-5 that directs drivers at 5th Ave, reinforcing the idea that traffic flow can be improved without solely relying on the current street design. Some suggest a more radical approach: closing the Yale on-ramp entirely in a bid to redefine the city as a space for pedestrians rather than cars. Such a move could potentially simplify plans to create a lid over I-5, similar to what was done in Seoul when they restored a river by tearing down a highway.
These proposed changes become increasingly pressing as preparations for the World Cup continue. The urgency is compounded by upcoming Revive I-5 construction work, which is expected to further overwhelm Denny Way when Mercer Street on-ramps close.
While the Harrison and Mercer Transit Access Project has been put forth as a potential remedy for Route 8, construction is set to begin only next year with uncertainties surrounding funding for new service on Harrison. King County Metro has indicated a preference for maintaining service on Denny, which poses additional challenges as existing routes face the prospect of delays due to the Ballard Link construction.
With Aurora Ave disrupting neighborhood connectivity, the east-west route options are severely limited to Denny, Mercer, or a lengthy detour. King County Metro has acknowledged that the constrained service investments are a direct result of the anticipated impacts from the Ballard Link construction.
Meanwhile, Metro remains committed to ensuring that Denny Way retains its services despite the new corridor developments, a crucial factor considering that Denny Way is prioritized in the Seattle Transportation Plan’s Frequent Transit Network. The continued neglect of transit priority along this vital corridor could lead to unsustainable service costs, with the Metro’s 2024 System Evaluation predicting an urgent need for additional service hours to prevent bus bunching and maintain stable headways.
In conclusion, the time for decisive action is now as Seattle aims to showcase its transportation capabilities to visitors during the World Cup. If traffic issues on Denny Way are not addressed promptly, the risk of confirming negative stereotypes about American cities and their dependence on automobiles becomes a looming threat.
The proposed restrictions on right turns and the implementation of bus lanes could represent a crucial step toward a more efficient and people-friendly transit environment, making it imperative that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) act swiftly, with the World Cup rapidly approaching.
image source from：seattletransitblog
