Be prepared for detours on the Burke-Gilman Trail in NE Seattle over the next two months.

Seattle Parks is making much-needed repairs to 13 segments of this aging, bumpy and extremely popular trail, starting with the divided stretch of trail that runs through a sunken area between 40th Ave NE and NE 65th Street.

All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of January, weather depending.

You can see Seattle Parks’ planned detour routes in these maps:





The Burke-Gilman Trail is a multi-agency trail spanning multiple jurisdictions and departments. Even within Seattle, responsibility is divided among many agencies. Some stretches in Seattle are under the purview of the Seattle Department of Transportation, some are maintained by the University of Washington, and others (typically the older parts) fall under the Parks Department.

In 2015, Seattle assessed the condition of city trails using a bike specially outfitted to measure bumps. That data is informing these investments in repairs, funded in large part by the voter-approved Seattle Parks District.

More details from Seattle Parks:

Seattle Parks and Recreation has completed the planning and design phase for maintenance improvements on the Burke Gilman Trail in northeast Seattle. The project went to bid in summer 2017 and the contract was awarded to Westwater Construction. Construction begins December 4, 2017. We will be working on 13 segments of the trail that range in length from 5 ft. to 150 ft. Seattle Parks and Recreation worked with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to determine detour routes for the repairs. This project repairs sections of the trail, removes areas of asphalt in disrepair, removes invasive roots that are causing upheaval, and replaces those areas with new asphalt. Trail sections were determined by 2015 condition assessment work done in collaboration with SDOT and reconfirmed in spring 2017. Depending on the weather, construction will start Monday, December 4, 2017. The first detour will be from 40th Ave NE to NE 65th St (the longest section in the current construction project). The section will be closed weekdays, during the day (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) while construction work is being done. There will be places where the asphalt has been removed in this section so please use caution when passing through this area. Overview Maps for Burke Gilman Trail repaving from 40th Ave NE to Fairway Estates

40th Ave NE to NE 65th St (Construction: 12/4/17 – 1/8/18 weather dependent) NE 75th St to NE 80th St

NE 80th St to Fairway Estates Depending on the weather, work in all construction areas should be completed by the end of January 2018. Thank you for your patience.