FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Way bike-lane proposal, awaiting grant funding, yet to be designed

| Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

One week ago, we reported that the proposal for a bicycle lane on the Highland Park Way hill – shelved in 2020 – had resurfaced in SDOT‘s application for federal grant money to fund a variety of “Safe Streets for All” projects. We asked SDOT a few followup questions. First, what happens to the project if the grant money isn’t received? SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “If we do not receive the Safe Streets for All grant, there is not another funding source identified to build this project.” An even-bigger question: What design is envisioned for the lane – which side of the street would it be on, and would it require removal of a general-traffic lane (as was envisioned in the previously shelved plan)? Bergerson’s reply: “We have not begun the design of this bike route. If we receive funding, we would engage the community on potential designs such as the two options you mentioned. We may also consider other possible alternatives like widening the existing trail.” As noted in our story last week, other West Seattle proposals listed in the grant application are mostly smaller projects such as curb ramps.

john October 7, 2022 (8:50 pm)

Bike commuter here…There is PLENTY of room on either side of the thoroughfare to make a protected, two lane bicycle track that is not at all in the roadway, and wouldn’t need any lane changes. Would be safer for cyclists as well, not being in the main roadway. win/win!!!

Mj October 7, 2022 (10:39 pm)

The grade of Highland Park Way is severe. The cyclist that would use the corridor are seasoned adult commuter bicyclists not families with kids. A design that accounts for this could make the improvements more cost effective and doable.

Peter October 8, 2022 (8:05 am)

That is simply not true. The prevalence of electric bikes makes biking much more accessible to everyone, and we need a much more robust bicycle infrastructure to make it safe for everyone.
JS October 10, 2022 (6:33 am)

This completely ignores the near astronomical rise of ebikes mate. Hills are no longer a problem for a lot of commuters, so they deserve their own lane that any normal cyclist could also use if they choose as well.

Patience October 8, 2022 (6:17 am)

Please widen and resurface the existing trail/path/”sidewalk” for a shared, two-direction, pedestrian AND bike trail

Another One October 8, 2022 (8:36 am)

That’s my vote. I want to be far from the cars.
- Stayin' Alive October 8, 2022 (5:41 pm)
  
  Widening the existing trail would be safer and would support more riders. Please do so.
TC October 8, 2022 (10:41 pm)

A good example of a wide mixed use path on a comparable hill (in both length and grade) is Lake Tapps Pkwy SE in Auburn.https://maps.app.goo.gl/aw9Vte6yR6JLmaYH7

Mj October 8, 2022 (9:05 am)

Peter – kid’s I see riding bikes are still analog as they should be.

Avalon Way provides protected bike lanes and has a significantly gentler grade and I have rarely seen young riders (about 12 years old), with parent, use this corridor.

There is only a finate amount of money and it needs to be spent wisely. Spending more on one project means another project does not happen!

Stayin' Alive October 8, 2022 (6:09 pm)

Thanks to SDOT for seeking funding and for being open to weighing options. This is one of two routes off the peninsula for cyclist and is worth investing in. Perhaps SCL could solve regional power outages caused by slides on the north side by going underground on the south side below the bike trail and costs could be shared?

Dumb October 8, 2022 (9:28 am)

This is a stupid idea, just like what they did to Delridge way. From the school north, if you get behind a bus, a garbage truck or a biker, you don’t go any where. Great planning there. Another brilliant idea. NOT

Bus October 9, 2022 (1:28 pm)

This was true before the bike lane went in. The real solution to the issue is to get rid of the street parking along that stretch, but people need their city-funded personal car storage so you get to sit behind the buses and garbage trucks. When you get serious about eliminating taxpayer-funded private vehicle storage, I’ll believe you’re serious about wanting to alleviate traffic.
- MyThruppence October 10, 2022 (4:26 am)
  
  Technically it was true before the modifications BUS, but in actuality car drivers simply passed the cyclists (and stopped buses too by the way) by swinging wide past them by use of the middle turn lane; a lane that either no longer exists, or is now filled with planting medians. Good or bad, the one thing it is it not is the same situation as prior to the changes.

Ice October 9, 2022 (12:32 am)

Between Riverview park and Highland Park Way, there is an old, unused train right-of-way. There is even old, crumbling train infrastructure out there. I think that turning this into a Greenbelt that connects with the rest of the West Duwamish Green Belt would be a huge improvement for the quality of life of people in the neighborhood. Just a thought for those who live in the neighborhood…

Craig October 9, 2022 (6:30 pm)

Ice, want to go for a hike some time and see what I’m missing. Along HP Way the streetcar grade is exactly where the last two major slides have broken away from the slope- steep and clearly not stable. Downslope, the old route crosses private property then becomes obscured for hundreds of feet. Several bridges would be needed to cross steep drainages, then the route eventually drops into what is now the back side of Alaska Marine and behind other businesses only to touchdown on west Marginal where there is no sidewalk, crossing, or pedestrian facilities of any kind. I would love to see the streetcar route utilized but don’t think your painting a realistic picture of what is left behind from the Highland Park Lake Burien Steetcar line. Would be less work to widen the sidewalk…
Friend O'Dinghus October 10, 2022 (4:41 am)

I too am a bit intrigued by the old trolley line that you and Craig are discussing. I asked a historical society member once about it and they said that it was not part of the West Seattle Trolley line as such, but a private trolley line laid by land developers farther south towards Burien. This line seems to explain quite a bit about Highland Park and White Center’s placement of their remaining historical buildings/old business districts. I would love to learn more about this line, which unfortunately was either inadequately financed, engineered, or both. If anyone knows a resource, or has the interest in sharing their knowledge, I am all about knowing more. Thanks!

Craig October 11, 2022 (8:18 am)

Friend, check out https://vimeo.com/220239894  Mike Bergman’s video is a great resource. A massive slide took the streetcar temporarily out of service and into bankruptcy within the first year of operation in 1912. Was made of a lighter weight track laid over soil. Choose the 1936 aerial layer in King County Parcel viewer to get a sense of the impact of logging on what is now the greenbelt(and a great way to look back in time throughout Seattle). The scar from the streetcar line can be seen in this view. Clay and sand was mined from several locations along West Marginal, with one large mine later filled with kiln dust, a cement mfg. Seems that slides were the biggest challenge for the streetcar line. The tracks were pulled from the greenbelt in the 1930s. https://www.historylink.org/File/10401,  https://www.historylink.org/File/20686  On the brighter side, and as Ice pointed out, there is wonderful trails system connecting lower HP Way with Riverview Playfeilds, SSC, and Lost Pond, and beyond. The Nature Consortium(now DNDA) and dozens of stakeholders have done amazing work restoring the City’s largest forest.

Friend O'Dinghus October 11, 2022 (7:18 pm)

Thank you so much Craig. I will enthusiastically check out your offerings. Cheers! I recall noticing once that an improved version of the 1st Ave S. bridge opened around that time as well. I think that improved automobile access across the river put the trolley line’s long-term feasibility in question as well. Do you think it’s even possible to walk any sections of the old rail bed any longer? I would love to see what those ravine crossing trestles looked like back in the day.

Craig October 12, 2022 (5:07 pm)

My pleasure! I have walked several sections. The portion near 9th is fairly long and obvious but due to steep slope, proximity of private property, challenging access, and lack of continuity, is not a great choice. There is a portion well below Lost Pond that has easier access but no real approach trail at the moment. The creeks crossings are to the south of this porition. Happy to share more info or take a walk some weekend doncrankin@gmail.com. Zoom into the bridges in this vintage areal photo of the streetcar line/ wdg.if the program lets me post…

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