August 30, 2023

I-5 lidding project gains traction

Rendering courtesy of Lid I-5 [enlarge]

This conceptual design rendering imagines a lid bridging Interstate 5, Sixth Ave. and Spring Street.

On Aug. 16 the Seattle city council's Public Assets and Homelessness Committee unanimously voted to adopt a resolution in support of a potential lidding project across Interstate 5.

The proposed project would lid portions of the freeway in downtown Seattle between Thomas Street and Madison Street. The proposed lids could be used for parks, affordable housing, and/or new civic projects.

This move follows the publication in 2020 of an I-5 Lid Feasibility Study, conducted by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), and significant grass roots advocacy for a lidding project, spearheaded by a citizen-led group called Lid I-5.

In short, the resolution supports the future lidding of I-5 and asks OPCD and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to work with state and federal agencies, elected officials and the Lid I-5 advocacy organization, to develop a plan to integrate lids into plans and projects related to I-5.

The resolution also suggests and supports the creation of a new Public Development Authority to lead this work; asks OPCD and SDOT to seek federal grant funding for such a project (potentially from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill); and to identify whether on- and off-ramps can be removed to facilitate lidding and reduce conflicts.

The resolution now moves to be voted on by the full council. That vote is expected to take place Sept. 5.

The I-5 Lid Feasibility Study (which cost $1.2 million) suggested that the creation of lids connecting neighborhoods across I-5 was feasible (albeit at a cost of some $966 million).

That study looked at the construction of lids between Denny Way and Madison Street. The recently passed resolution extends that boundary two blocks to explore the construction of freeway lids stretching from Thomas Street to Madison Street.

During the Aug. 16 meeting, councilmember Andrew Lewis said the resolution marks the first time in history that the city has committed to making the I-5 lid project a reality.

Councilmember Lewis added that prior to passing the resolution the committee had been in conversation with WSDOT to ensure that potential future lids are considered in any forthcoming plans/projects concerning I-5.

In 2018, Lid I-5 partnered with the Pike/Pine Urban Neighborhood Council on an effort to envision what lidding I-5 could look like. That vision included up to 17 acres of new land for public and/or private use atop three separate but connected freeway lids. Scenarios considered included new public parks; space for affordable housing; commercial space for local businesses and startups; and/or new capacity for civic and cultural functions on the lids.

Lid I-5 is hosting a free Reconnections Social event at Seattle Town Hall on Sept. 13 to share the latest news on the project and celebrate the recent achievements. Council member Lewis will be at the event to provide a progress update on the city's work to advance the project.