If you’ve been wondering about all the construction activity around Fremont lately, here’s what Fremonsters need to know.
Seattle Department of Transportation crews are making steady progress on the Route 40 project. Starting this week, expect more lane restrictions on Fremont Avenue North as crews begin full-depth pavement replacement that’ll continue through September.
Here are more details on the current construction:
- Fremont Avenue North: Full-depth pavement replacement with temporary lane restrictions
- Phinney Avenue North: Sidewalk and curb improvements ongoing
- North 36th Street at Phinney Avenue North: Sidewalk and roadway replacement
- Throughout the corridor: Trenching, conduit installation and utility work
The good news? No more scheduled water main shutoffs are planned for this phase.
Construction will continue throughout 2025, with most work expected to wrap up by year-end. Some activities may extend into 2026.
The neighborhood conversation: Different views on Route 40 changes
You’ve probably noticed the Route 40 project has folks talking around the neighborhood and to local news outlets. Local business groups and transit advocates see things pretty differently, so here’s what each side is saying:
What local business folks are worried about
Leaders from the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Ballard Alliance, and North Seattle Industrial Association have raised several concerns:
Are the buses busy enough? Route 40 ridership dropped from 13,233 daily riders before the pandemic to about 7,000-8,500 now. That’s still well below 2019 levels. Business groups question whether round-the-clock bus-only lanes make sense with current ridership.
Will traffic get worse? They point to other corridors like Rainier Avenue, where bus-only lanes may add up to nine minutes to car trips. Some neighbors report empty bus lanes get misused by drivers trying to skip traffic.
Show us the local data: Business groups say the city’s time-savings estimates come from national studies, not Route 40-specific research. They want to see proof this will actually work here in our neighborhoods.
What transit supporters are saying
Seattle Greenways and bus riders counter with these points:
It’s still a busy route: Route 40 remains the fifth-busiest route in King County Metro’s system, with ridership growing 11% from fall 2023 to fall 2024. That shows people need and want this service.
We need these connections: The route provides east-west connectivity between neighborhoods like Fremont, Ballard, Crown Hill and Northgate that’s hard to replicate with other transit.
Bus riders shouldn’t sit in traffic: People who choose transit over driving are making environmentally friendly choices and shouldn’t be stuck in the same traffic as single-occupancy vehicles.
It’s about more than buses: The project includes protected bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings and other improvements that help everyone get around more safely.
Where the city stands
SDOT says the project aims for 5% to 10% transit travel time improvements overall, with 14% to 17% reductions between Ballard and downtown.
The improvements include more than just bus lanes: upgraded infrastructure, better pedestrian facilities and coordination with Seattle Public Utilities to replace century-old water mains. These improvements are good for local businesses and Fremonsters in the long run.
What this means for neighbors
Whether you drive, take transit, walk or bike through Fremont, construction will continue to affect your commute through 2025.
Want to weigh in? Contact SDOT or attend public meetings to make your voice heard. Every Tuesday from 9:30 to 10 a.m., neighbors and business owners can join online sessions with the Route 40 project team. These are informal opportunities to ask questions, share comments or just listen in.
Join the Tuesday sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83530373889
For current construction updates, visit: seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/current-projects/route-40