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Completing the Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link

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Community Engagement infographic for the Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link Project.

Preferred Route ✔

For 20 years, we’ve been working to complete the Burke-Gilman Trail through the Ballard neighborhood. After many years of planning, stakeholder conversations, and environmental review, the project team identified a preferred route for the trail in May 2017 and began the design process to complete the Missing Link.

 

Community Engagement ✔

Through our community engagement efforts during the design phase, the Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link Project has evolved from a multi-use trail into a full multi-modal corridor that will be safe for and accommodate all users for generations to come. The project team has engaged stakeholders and community members in the Ballard community through in-person and online public events, meetings with individual property and business owners, and briefings with community organizations and groups. These conversations have provided an opportunity for the public and neighbors to express their ideas, questions, and concerns and offer the project team key insights on features to include in the Missing Link corridor design.

In addition to broader public outreach, the project team also convened a Design Advisory Committee (DAC), including representatives from the cycling community, adjacent industrial and maritime businesses, local residents, and trail advocates, to provide ongoing input on the Missing Link design. The DAC meets regularly throughout the project’s design phase and has been a vital forum for the project team and community representatives to share information and feedback to improve the corridor design and balance the safety and mobility needs of all users.

 

Final EIS ✔

A project team member and a member of the public discuss the design of the Missing Link at a public event.

In January 2018, the City of Seattle’s Hearing Examiner released a decision on an appeal of the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The Hearing Examiner’s decision concludes that the level of environmental analysis under the FEIS satisfies the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act. Further, the Hearing Examiner states that the weight of the evidence presented by the City supports our determination that the Preferred Alternative will improve safety for non-motorized users over existing conditions along the Shilshole corridor. With this decision, the design team expects to continue the corridor design and share the final design with the community this spring.

 

A Big Thanks!

Thanks to the participation and dedication of DAC members, along with community neighbors and trail users, the design team expects to complete final design in the coming months.

 

If you’d like to learn more about the environmental review process, hearing examiner’s decision, current design and next steps, please visit the project website.

 

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I Want to Ride My Bicycle – On the New 2nd Ave Protected Bike Lane!

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2nd Ave PBL

It’s open!

The shiny new section from Pike Street to Denny Way extends the existing 2nd Avenue Protected Bike Lane (PBL) to Yesler Way (that’s 23 blocks!), making city-wide cycling a snap!

Protected bike lanes and signal upgrades in downtown Seattle improve safety for everyone, while at the same time connecting the Center City Bike Network. Completing the 2nd Avenue PBL between Pike Street and Denny Way complements the city’s ongoing mobility improvements and enhances safety for cyclists and pedestrians – and takes the guess work away for drivers by providing designated travel lanes and clear signals. Visit the project website for features details.

 

In case you’re wondering. Here’s what the PBL cross section looked like before:

PBL cross section (before).

 

And here’s what it looks like today:

PBL cross section (after).

 

Putting on our makeup.

Major construction is done, but you may continue to see crews completing some final cosmetic details. This work will be minimal but might require short, intermittent bike lane closures so please follow posted signs. In spring, we’ll finish up permanent striping at the crosswalks and stop bars, which needs dry warmer weather.

 

Look out for each other.

Whether you’re riding a bike, driving, or walking, here’s how to navigate the new 2nd Ave:

 

One more glamour shot of the new 2nd Ave PBL!

Walking 

  • Follow pedestrian signals.
  • Look both ways when crossing bike lanes.

 

Cycling 

  • Follow bike signals.
  • Yield to people walking in crosswalks.

 

Driving 

  • Follow traffic signals.
  • Park next to bike lane.

 

 

Watch this short clip from our very own Dongho Chang, City Traffic Engineer, who shares about bicycle and transit markings to help you navigate the city.

And remember! Look out for other travelers when making turns across the bike lane at driveways and intersections. Always think Vision Zero!

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Pedal Your Way Through Seattle: 5 trails for a leisurely fall bike adventure

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Whether you have more time now that the kids are back in school, or you simply want to get out and explore the city during these beautiful fall weekends with the family, recreational biking has never been easier. Enhanced biking trails with easy access from various neighborhoods, better bike rental options, SDOT trail maps and the new interactive online bicycle map all add up to the start of a fun—and healthy—way to see Seattle from a whole new vantage point. Popular landmarks, Native American historic sites, beautiful gardens and parks, scenic views and wildlife, restaurants and shops – it’s all accessible by bike.

 

The best way to get started is to pick a trail based on location and points of interest. To that end, we’ve chosen five based on their accessibility and the unique and fun encounters they offer along the way. So, grab a bike, your helmet, some water and snacks (or make a pit stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant or cafe).

 

The Burke Gilman Trail

Just over 18 miles, it stretches from Golden Gardens Park in Ballard to the Sammamish River in Bothell (near Woodinville’s wineries), and winds through Fremont, the University District and Lake Forest Park—giving you multiple points of entry, and much to explore over many rides. Highlights include: The Ballard locks, the famous Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park with its kite-flying hill, The U-District’s secluded path of maples, dogwoods and firs, Matthews Beach Park, and the city of Lake Forest Park with a serpent fountain and two lakefront parks.

 

Alki Trail

This scenic 7.7-mile trail, part of which hugs the northern and eastern shore of West Seattle along Alki Avenue, is one of the most scenic in Seattle, with wondrous views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and The Olympic Mountains. It’s great for beginners too because traffic on the trail is separated for bikers and walkers. Highlights include: Alki Point Lighthouse, Luna Park (enjoy one of Luna Park Café’s famous milkshakes), and Alki Beach Park. From October-February, keep an eye out for Harbor seals, whales, sea lions, porpoises and sea otters.

 

Duwamish Trail

This 3-mile trail recently had a major makeover, which included an extension of asphalt for cyclists and pedestrians, pavement on previously unsurfaced areas, the clearing of overgrown vegetation, and new lighting along the trail route. Running along the Duwamish Waterway, it begins just a half mile south of the Alki Trail in West Seattle to South Park. Though it runs parallel to the road, there is some shoreline and scenic spots along the way. Highlights include: Cesar Chavez Park (check out the cool “Musical Steles” sculpture from nationally-renowned stone sculptor Jesus Bautista Moroles), Herring’s House Park (a green space with marsh and forest), and The Duwamish Tribe’s Longhouse and Cultural Center.

 

Chief Sealth Trail

Chief Sealth Trail was created in 2007 and built almost entirely from recycled materials, including recycled soil and crushed concrete from the Link Light Rail Project in Rainier Valley. The asphalt-paved 3.6-mile trail connects Beacon Hill to Rainier Valley via gently sloped hills and is one of only five that cross the city. Highlights include: The Thistle P-Patch Community Gardens, Newholly Public Library, and Kubota Garden (a must-see 20-acre Japanese-style garden created by master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota that incorporates native Northwest plants and features waterfalls, ponds, and bridges).

 

Seward Park Trail

The 2.4-mile paved bike and walking path hugs the shoreline along 300-acre Seward Park with its old growth forest that’s home to eagle’s nests, native plants and stunning views of Lake Washington. Highlights include: Seward Park Clay Studio (drop in on a class for kids and adults), a playground, an amphitheater, and sheltered picnic areas.

 

For more info on these trails (and many more!), visit www.seattle.gov/bike.

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