One of Waterfront Seattle's goals is to create more accessible and inviting east-west connections for all modes along the Alaskan Way/Elliott Way corridor, including to Belltown, the downtown core, and Pioneer Square. In March 2026, we celebrated the completion of the Bell Street Improvements Project. This project is the final construction project of the Waterfront Seattle Program.
The Bell Street Improvements Project, which extends from 1st Ave to Elliott Ave, enhances public space, adds new landscaping, improves connections and mobility, and provides amenities that encourage community gathering. This brand-new connection between Belltown and the waterfront ties into Bell St at Elliott and Western avenues with a two-way protected bike lane and widened sidewalks. The design helps calm traffic flow on Bell St.
Map of Project
Bell St, between 1st Ave and Elliott Ave, is now a one-way single lane road, eastbound between Elliott and Western avenues, and westbound between Western and 1st avenues (see map above). This is due to a reconfiguration of the street grid to accommodate the new Elliott Way. There is a new signalized intersection at Western Ave and Bell St for northbound traffic coming from the new Elliott Way.
Bell Street's Historic Sign Bridge
We incorporated a salvaged historic sign bridge, which formerly stood on the Alaskan Way viaduct, into the project. Spanning over Bell St, east of the Bell St and Western Ave intersection, this lighted sign bridge serves as a gateway welcoming people into the Belltown neighborhood.
