ARC hosted the Reconnecting Fremont Walk on April 11, 2026. We had representatives from the Seattle Department of Transportation, King County Metro, Woodland Park Zoo, and Seattle Public Schools as well as elected officials from the Washington State Legislature, Seattle City Council, and the Mayor. Community groups like Ballard Fremont Green Streets and Friends of Lower Woodland Park also had representation.
Action
The purpose of the walk was to highlight concrete projects that can be built without years of study to Reconnect Fremont, a neighborhood currently divided by Aurora. These projects include at-grade, signalized crossings of Aurora along with new E-Line stops closer to downtown Fremont and the Woodland Park Zoo.
The Aurora Ave Project began in 2021 - 5 years later, there isn’t much to show for it (much like the 2003 study before it). We want to cut through the endless studies and build momentum through action. We want this chapter of Aurora’s history to be known for how much action was taken to improve it.
GOALS
Walking, biking, or rolling across Aurora is safe, convenient, and accessible.
Transit access to downtown Fremont and the Zoo is irresistibly good.
Generate momentum for the Aurora corridor through action.
OUTCOMES
A student can bike from BF Day to the Wallingford Playfield on a AAA bike route.
A family can visit the Woodland Park Zoo by bus from a transit stop only a few minutes walk from the Zoo entrance.
A parent with a stroller can walk a direct route from Fremont Ave to Stone Way in 10 minutes.
HOW
Five new at-grade signalized crossings at 38th, 41st, Motor Place, 46th, and 50th
Two new E-Line Stops at 38th and 50th
NEXT STEPS
Much like the problems, the ideas here are not new. We’ve previously posted about Reconnecting Fremont. But we believe we now have a huge opportunity in the next few years for real action with strong support at the city and state level.
Next steps for the Aurora Reimagined Coalition:
Bring together SDOT, King County Metro, and the Woodland Park Zoo to make the crossing and E-Line stop at Aurora and 50th a reality.
Bring together SDOT, King County Metro, and Seattle Public Schools to make the crossings of 38th/41st/N Motor Pl along with the E-Line stop near downtown Fremont a reality.
For King County Metro, identify the blockers to an E-line stop near downtown Fremont and the Zoo.
For SDOT, identify what roadblocks are keeping you from building five at-grade crossings through the Fremont section of Aurora.
For Seattle Public Schools, identify representatives from B.F. Day Elementary School, Hamilton International Middle School, and Lincoln High School to work with us.
For Mayor’s Office and City Council, make action a priority on Aurora. Use your voice and influence with partner agencies and your oversight of relevant departments to ensure roadblocks are cleared and action is taken.
For Washington State legislators, allocate funding to Reconnect Fremont during the next legislative session.
JOIN US
Are you a transit rider that would benefit from an E-Line stop closer to downtown Fremont? Are you a business owner in Fremont that would benefit from increased foot traffic? Are you a parent, teacher or student that would like to get to and from school more safely and easily? Are you passionate about Reconnecting Fremont? Get Involved!
