By Anne Marije-Rook

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will begin making street improvements for buses in the Ballard area beginning Monday, April 9.  Work will begin on N.W. Market Street at 28th Avenue N.W. and at 11th Avenue N.W.  

Transit Priority Corridor Improvement (TPCI) projects are designed to increase the efficiency of the transit system, helping people move quickly and reliably through Seattle’s busiest corridors.  The N.W. Market Street/N. 45th Street TPCI Project will provide transit enhancements along one of the city’s most heavily traveled areas: Metro Route 44, from N.W. Market Street and 28th Avenue N.W. to N.E. 45th Street and Latona Avenue N.E. 

Crews will make improvements to sidewalks, curb ramps, bus bulbs, pedestrian lighting and other passenger amenities. This work will also involve roadway surface and driveway improvements in some areas. 

Drivers should expect some lane restrictions leading up to and through the work zones, as well as on-street parking and loading restrictions in and around active work areas. There will also be short-term driveway closures while work is completed in some project areas. 

Work hours will typically be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional night and Saturday work at some locations.

Weather permitting, work on the N.W. Market Street/N. 45th Street project is expected to be complete in late summer 2012.

This work is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in 2006.

For more information on the N.W. Market Street/N. 45th Street TPCI, visit SDOT’s project website: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/btg_transit_market.htm