West Seattle traffic alert for bridge-traveling bicyclists next week

Just in from SDOT:

Next Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and19, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Seattle Department of Transportation Landscape Crews will be working on the bike trail that loops under the West Seattle Bridge at Harbor Island. Bicyclists will slow down and follow a very brief signed detour at the lower West Seattle Swing Bridge on 11th Ave SW on Harbor Island. To accommodate the landscape workers, vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane westbound on SW Spokane Street and one lane eastbound on Klickitat Avenue SW in the vicinity of 11th Avenue on Harbor Island.

DF June 14, 2012 (5:12 pm)

The path on the east side of the Andover pedestrian bridge which crosses the West Seattle freeway has been cleared of overgrown blackberry and grass. We who regularily use the bridge would appreciate if SDOT could remove a very low hanging tree branch which is so low a person has to duck under it while on a bicycle. It is mid span on the foot bridge. Thanks SDOT for maintaining our pedestrian and bike paths.

David Landscaping Service

themightyrabbit June 14, 2012 (6:39 pm)

I just wish they’d put some fresh tarmac on Hanford Street between 1st and East Marginal. Got to be one of the worst roads in the city. Gruesome rail lines. Regardless of how you commute. And yeah I use all modes. Ah well we’re getting there slowly.

LF June 14, 2012 (6:40 pm)

DF: I saw the guy clearing it the other day while I was out for a run. The best part: he arrived (tools and all) on a bike with a milk crate attached to the rack.

CandrewB June 14, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Ever since I started driving to work, I haven’t had to worry about blackberry bushes, overgrown grass or uneven/broken bike trails in the least.

LWC June 14, 2012 (7:45 pm)

Glad this work is being done! I’m a 4-mode commuter (I drive, bicycle, or bus/walk, depending on how I feel any given day) and I fully support the city maintaining infrastructure for all these options. Liberty is intimately connected to having a choice.

datamuse June 14, 2012 (8:15 pm)

Yeah, themightyrabbit, if I keep traversing that stretch of road I’m gonna need dentures before my time. Ouch.

DF June 14, 2012 (10:40 pm)

Thanks LF appreciate it. Now it’s just a matter of keeping it cleared, its been rewarding.

Velo_nut June 15, 2012 (7:28 am)

CandrewB, ever since you started driving to work, you’ve been out of my way on the trail. Thanks! Enjoy sitting in traffic!

Halyn June 17, 2012 (9:42 am)

Really? Only four comments in and a perfectly nice, informative thread becomes cyclists vs. drivers. CandrewB, if you have nothing of worth to contribute, why would you bother to do so? And Velo_nut, did you mother not teach you that two wrongs don’t make a right? Why is it that a conversation as mundane as how people get to work is impossible to have in a civil manner in this city. No matter which method you choose, someone will pipe up with a holier-than-thou comment about how you’re doing it wrong. News Flash: Every one is different, has different capabilities, different inclinations, and different schedules. Biking to work doesn’t work for everyone any more than driving does, anymore than bussing it does. Why do people have to be a**holes about their choices?

WSB June 17, 2012 (10:14 am)

Actually it’s my fault too for letting those comments through, as we usually do our best to shut down the “bicyclist vs. car” squabbling as soon as it appears. I will prune everything in a bit. – TR