SDOT’s blog shows the makeover of a sidewalk along Northgate Way. The asphalt had degraded as greenery had grown onto the path and after receiving a request, SDOT repaved it with funds from the Bridging the Gap initiative.
Tag Archive for 'construction'
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The 15th Ave NE bridge over Thornton Creek near 105th St will be closed for the next 11 months for repair and pedestrian improvements.
For anyone trying to walk across the bridge, the closest crossing is along Roosevelt Way, which is parallel to 15th and about a 5 minute walk west. This area has a walkscore of 78, so the bridge may likely be frequented by people who live in the area. However, the inconvenience to these pedestrians is not without benefit, as when the bridge re-opens, there will be a railing to separate vehicle traffic from the sidewalk.
Some questions were recently raised by Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen about a proposed re-striping of Nickerson Street. The “road diet” would add lanes for cyclists and a center turn lane for traffic by removing one vehicle lane from each direction.
Previous road diets along Stone Way and Fauntleroy Way SW have been successful at decreasing vehicle speeds and accidents and making the street more comfortable for bicyclists and pedestrians.
However, these road diets were also controversial when proposed. The idea of removing lanes implies a reduction in vehicle capacity and more gridlock, when history has often shown the opposite to be true.
The recent City Council transportation committee meeting had several people speaking out for and against the proposed road diet. PubliCola covered this meeting.
Apparently the meeting helped to answer Council Member Rasmussen’s questions, as he agreed that the road diet will happen.
The disputed Nickerson Street “road diet” will begin in July as planned, says Tom Rasmussen, chairman of the City Council’s transportation committee.
In a road diet, a four-lane road is re-striped to have only two lanes, plus a two-way left-turn lane and bike lanes. Three crosswalks are to be improved on Nickerson, which is to revert to four lanes near the Fremont and Ballard bridges.
Dozens of people testified Tuesday morning at Rasmussen’s committee meeting.
This is likely not the end of the road diets, though. The city may need to take on a more streamlined approach to these, as Josh Cohen suggests on PubliCola:
If we’re going to make a significant environmental shift in this city, as we at least pretend we want to, we cannot afford to have progress constantly marred by unfounded protest.
Re-striping is scheduled for next month.
From SDOT’s blog:
The NE 45th St Viaduct Project is not only replacing the old timber structure to the west – it’s also inspired a new outreach effort. The project includes a program to encourage walking, biking, and riding during and after construction. A “Bike, Bus, Walk Map” of the project area shows specific bus routes, biking options, walking distances and Zipcar locations.
The map also shows a pedestrian detour route while the viaduct is under construction.
The project to fix the “Mercer Mess” has been somewhat controversial, as some drivers have complained about inadequate improvement to travel times.
However, this resident’s perspective highlights the benefits to pedestrians of this project:
I look forward to the day that I won’t have to take my life in my hands when walking along or crossing Valley. While the new sidewalks are a beautiful improvement, just as soon as they went in they became the preferred route for bicycle commuters, who tend to zoom up behind my preschooler and shout, ON YOUR LEFT. Of course, given the current state of Valley, the bikers don’t have much of a choice. I certainly wouldn’t feel safe pedaling into the sea of spaced-out drivers exiting the freeway, not to mention the dangers of old train tracks and the streetcar. Most drivers coming off of I-5 onto Valley don’t seem to realize that they are no longer on the freeway. Their goal is to get through the next light at any cost and they don’t register the possibility of bikers or pedestrians.
The SDOT blog mentions that more curb ramps (inclined planes) will be installed this summer:
As previously reported here, SDOT is busy installing inclined planes, which we call curb ramps, throughout the city. As a result, we are creating a barrier-free environment for all and improving our pedestrian system in the process.
SDOT crews will focus much of their efforts on Aurora Avenue North this summer. More than 30 new ramps will be installed to ease access to transit and local businesses. These new ramps will be constructed between N 85th St and N 100th St.
But Aurora isn’t the only place where you’ll see new inclined planes popping up. Our crews will be installing these ramps from 14th Ave S to 20th Ave E to 33rd Ave W this year. So whether you’re travelling via wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or carting groceries back home, be thankful for the inclined plane.
A new bridge has been constructed along Royal Brougham Way to provide access to Safeco Field over the railroad tracks.
This path along Royal Brougham is designed for pedestrians, especially to make it easy to get to the stadium from the light rail station just to the east. Furthermore, access to the ballpark won’t be interrupted by passing trains.
