UW Medical Center – Montlake Building Waterproofing and Entrance Upgrade

UW Medical Center – Montlake has launched a multi-phase renovation project to create a more welcoming space for patients and visitors and to protect important clinical areas below ground level from water damage.

In October 2022 crews removed existing entry courts and patios to apply a new waterproof seal that will preserve our ability to provide high-quality healthcare in our below-ground level hospital, office and clinic areas.

The entrance areas will also get a complete redesign that will improve the flow of foot and vehicle traffic, provide additional access for those with disabilities, and create pleasant outdoor, courtyard and garden areas.

We have phased the work to ensure that patients, staff and students will have continuous access to our facilities. We also have plans in place to help minimize impacts to regular operations during construction.

What you need to know

Our hospital and clinics will remain open throughout this renovation project. Please plan extra travel time in case there are traffic or parking delays.  

Front of UW Medical Center - Montlake (above ground level)

Diagram of existing conditions

Areas needing new waterproof seal (below ground level)

Diagram of waterproofing

Will the areas in front of UW Medical Center – Montlake campus be closed off?

The main hospital entrance will remain the same. In January 2023 Frontage Road closed and a ramp was installed to allow access to the main hospital entrance. Parking is not permitted in the area. To avoid congestion, please use the Cascade Tower Entrance for drop-off and pickup whenever possible.

The NW Courtyard entry and patio areas in front of UW Medical Center – Montlake will be temporarily closed as we begin work to protect important below ground level clinical areas from water damage. The existing entry courts and patios will be removed to allow crews to apply a new waterproof seal to our underground buildings.

Map of the detour update

Frequently asked questions

Will I still be able to go to my in-person appointment at UW Medical Center – Montlake?

Yes. Our clinics and hospital facilities will continue to provide care in person. Please plan additional travel time to get to your appointment on time. There may be traffic or parking delays. Patients with compromised immune systems should wear their best fitting medical grade mask (such as a surgical mask, N95 or KN95) when entering and exiting the building on Pacific due to the potential for increased dust and debris. Text 'renovation' to: 206.520.5000 for more information.

Will shuttles to UW Medical Center – Montlake continue to operate?

Yes. All shuttles to UW Medical Center – Montlake will continue to operate. Shuttle stops on Pacific Avenue have been relocated to the back (south side) of the hospital on NE Columbia Road. Please plan additional travel time. For updates on routes or schedules, visit UW Transportation’s update on shuttle stop changes.

  • The Health Sciences Express (HSE) will no longer stop on NE Pacific Street. Riders will board and disembark at the Cascade Tower entrance on the south side of the hospital.
  • The South Lake Union (SLU) shuttle will no longer stop on NE Pacific Street. Riders traveling to SLU will board at the current RR-Wing stop on the south side of the hospital. Riders traveling from SLU to UW Medical Center can now notify their driver if they wish to disembark at the Rotunda stop on NE Columbia Road.
  • The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center shuttle will no longer stop at the UW Medical Center’s main entrance. It will only stop and pick up at the UW Medical Center Cascade Tower first-floor entrance on the south side of the hospital for all shuttle riders during service hours.

Will the parking garages still be open?

Yes. Both Surgery Pavilion and Triangle parking garages will remain open throughout the project. The Triangle Garage will continue to offer valet services.

Will bike lockers and racks be available?

Bike lockers: Bike lockers have been relocated to the plaza between Magnuson Health Sciences Center and the UW Medical Center.

Bike racks: Existing racks in the BB Northwest courtyard have been relocated to the lower level of the S1 parking garage, on both the East and West ends. There are now bike racks by the Emergency Department.

Will noise and vibration disrupt sensitive treatments such as surgeries and laboratory procedures?

We have stress-tested the areas and work plans are in place to minimize the impacts of noise and vibration. Work will be closely monitored and coordinated with clinical and patient care activities. 

When will the work be complete?

This construction and renovation project will be completed in four phases across three years. We anticipate that work will be completed in Summer 2025. 

Getting to your appointment

Getting to UW Medical Center – Montlake 

Driving directions

Patient drop-off area 

The patient drop-off area will continue to be accessible.

Frontage Road closed completely in January 2023. A ramp has been constructed to relocate traffic for access to the main hospital entrance. There will not be parking available at the main entrance. To avoid congestion at the main hospital entrance, please use the Cascade Tower Entrance for drop-off and pickup whenever possible.

Parking

Vehicle Parking: 

Both the Surgery Pavilion Parking Garage and Triangle Parking Garage are open, with valet service available in the Triangle Parking Garage.

Bike Parking: 

Bike lockers have been relocated from the front of the UW Medical Center to the plaza near the Magnuson Health Sciences Center. Bike racks were also moved to the lower level of S1 Parking Garage (both East and West ends).

Shuttles 

Shuttles to UW Medical Center – Montlake will continue to operate. Starting June 21, 2022, any stops on Pacific Avenue will be relocated to the back (south side) of the hospital on Columbia Road. More information about route changes and schedules will be posted on UW Transportation’s Shuttle Stop Changes page.

Public transit resources  

Please use one of these public transit resources to plan your commute to UW Medical Center – Montlake. 

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