Photo: Elliott Bay Connections Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from the Elliott Bay Connections project (EBC), which is a public-private partnership connecting, restoring, and revitalizing public parks along the Elliott Bay waterfront. The EBC project is funded entirely by private philanthropic donations, with the Downtown Seattle Association serving as the project implementation partner. The project may be of interest to SDOT Blog readers.
Seattle’s new greenway along the waterfront will open in two phases beginning Friday.
The new greenway, which is on the east side of Alaskan Way, between Pier 62 and the Olympic Sculpture Park, was created by the Elliott Bay Connections (EBC) project, a public–private partnership to connect, restore and revitalize public parks along the waterfront.
Here’s what’s happening:
- On Friday, April 17, the segment between Blanchard St and Wall St will open to accommodate the first cruise-day detour of the Alaskan Way Safety Project.
- The full greenway on Tuesday, April 21.
The multi-use trail on the east side of Alaskan Way, between Blanchard St and Wall St, will serve as the bike detour during cruise sailing operations. You can learn more about the 2026 cruise sailing schedule on the Port of Seattle’s website.
A public-private partnership
As a public space, this new greenway is owned by the City of Seattle. The Seattle Department of Transportation reviewed and approved the greenway design and construction, and will continue to manage signals, crossings, and the functioning of this corridor as part of Seattle’s overall street network.
The greenway design and construction were entirely funded by private philanthropy. Private support is funding maintenance and landscape care during the initial establishment period of the greenway’s new plantings and trees. The Downtown Seattle Association continues to be the implementation partner for the greenway.
As part of the EBC project, construction and planting in Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks began in March 2025 and will be complete before Seattle hosts the FIFA Men’s World Cup in June 2026. Work is being done in phases with closures scheduled to limit impacts on park users and sensitive fish and wildlife. You can still travel through both parks while construction is underway.
What you’ll find along the greenway
The greenway runs from Virginia St to Clay St on the east side of Alaskan Way and has replaced old trolley tracks and sidewalks with a multi-use trail featuring plantings, trees, and benches. The multi-use trail is designed for people of all ages and abilities, including those traveling with children or supporting others, with space to walk, bike, and roll at a comfortable pace.
Along the way, there are newly planted beds with native and street-hardy trees, shrubs and perennials, added lighting, and benches for resting. Post and rope fences have been installed to protect the new plants and trees while they grow.
New maps and signs provide directions to the waterfront and nearby neighborhoods and will remind trail users to keep feet and paws out of planted areas.
How to use the greenway
The greenway’s multi-use trail is shared by people walking, biking, and rolling in both directions.
On Seattle’s multi-use trails, people biking and using scooters are required to ride at a safe speed, yield to pedestrians, and give a clear signal (such as a bell or voice) when passing. Stay to the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.
Pedestrians should watch for other trail users, be especially alert when running, listen for audible signals, and allow faster trail users (runners and bicyclists) to pass safely.
Learn more about Seattle’s Multi-Use Trails here, including trail etiquette and trail maps.
Learn more
- To learn more about rules and guidance for multi-use trails in Seattle, visit SDOT’s Multi-Use Trail page.
- To learn more about EBC, visit ElliottBayConnections.org. This website has information about design, community engagement and answers to frequently asked questions about EBC.
- To contact the EBC project team, email info@ElliottBayConnections.org or call the construction hotline at (206) 462-1275. The construction hotline is monitored whenever construction is taking place.