N Northlake Way Retaining Wall

Retaining wall construction, paving, sidewalk construction

Updated: November 13, 2023

Overview

The 432-ft long Northlake Retaining Wall supports the adjacent N Northlake Way including public utilities and arterial serving northeast Seattle. Based on traffic counts, we estimate that between 1,000 and 2,000 vehicles travel this segment of N Northlake Way on an average weekday and know that wall provides access to multiple private lakeside businesses along Lake Union.

In 2018, SDOT installed fencing and restricting parking adjacent to the retaining wall restricted parking at the top of the wall to reduce load on the wall.  The existing structure needs repairs to strengthen it and to address significant seismic hazards associated with the historic fill and liquifiable soils located adjacent to and beneath the existing wall.

Projects of this type and scale provides opportunities to cost-effectively update street designs to promote safety, update and replace aging infrastructure (primarily utilities), and coordinate with other projects. They also provide an opportunity for community engagement to ensure feedback is gathered and incorporated into the final design

Community Engagement

We will be reaching out to the community to solicit ideas and input for improvements that will serve the traveling public that uses this segment of N Northlake Way corridor.

While public safety remains the primary purpose of the planned wall replacement, this project will also include other measures and features including:

• Sidewalks
• Pedestrian safety improvements
• Drainage improvements
• Street Parking
• Paving
• Utility relocation and replacement

Planning project map

Planning design concepts

We are currently in the early design phase of this project where we refine our plans and cost estimates as well as continue to gather feedback from stakeholders, business owners and members of the community. As we gather input, we will continue to adapt plans and concepts to represent community-informed designs moving forward.  

The preferred concept for wall replacement relies upon significant stabilization and strengthening of soils behind the existing retaining wall using grout columns founded on hard glacial till.  Installation of the ground improvements would require excavation within most of the right of way behind the wall.  Upon completion, these ground improvements, coupled with a replacement cut-off wall along Lake Union would provide a resilient base for replacement of utilities in the right of way and complete streets elements like new sidewalks, parking, travel lanes and other desirable features. 

The elevation and plans above are conceptual and not to scale. 

Schedule

This is our anticipated project timeline for the N Northlake Way retaining wall:

Fall 2020 - summer 2022 
Planning

Fall, 2022
Begin design

Spring, 2024
Begin construction (subject to funding)

The three stages of an SDOT project

1. Planning
   What we do: Collect data, review plans and gather community experiences to define options.

2. Design
   What we do: Share updates as more details are known.

3. Construction
   What we do: Provide construction schedules, expected impacts, and a contact for questions.

Funding

This project originated through SDOT's Retaining Walls program and is now funded through design using local funding sources as appropriated by City Council. We continue to work to secure construction funding, including pursuing federal funding opportunities such as FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant.  

Project Materials

To view a PDF of project-related materials, please click on the links provided below.

Planning Phase

• Northlake Way Retaining Wall Streetscape Survey (June 2023)
• Alternatives analysis (November 2019)
• Conceptual design report (November 2019)

We're committed to building a productive, inclusive, and collaborative relationship with all who live, work, or travel in the project area. Please contact us with any questions.

Phone: 206-375-5636
Email: NorthlakeWall@Seattle.gov

Community Outreach Lead
Michael Taylor-Judd

Project Manager
Mike Ward

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