FOLLOWUP: Alki Point Healthy Street walking/rolling/biking lane installation begins

Happyhogan June 2, 2024 (3:50 pm)

About time! So excited about this!

Alki Beach Flats June 2, 2024 (4:01 pm)

Yes! Making it safer and people oriented

Alki resident June 2, 2024 (5:36 pm)

Safer from what? What incident took place in the past 40 years that lead to this decision?
- Walkerws June 2, 2024 (7:20 pm)
  
  I was almost hit there a few months ago. That’s an “incident”. Same has happened to many people. This also makes it more pleasant, not just safer.
- George June 2, 2024 (7:45 pm)
  
  Alki Resident you can’t be serious. The speeding and racing cars and motorcycles make pedestrian life a high-risk exercise almost every day.
  - PE Waterfall June 4, 2024 (8:06 pm)
    
    George, huge difference between Alki Ave and Beach Drive.
  - Gary Richardson June 8, 2024 (3:05 pm)
    
    Every day?I’d like to see a live cam posted to prove it.For most of the time I travel down there, it’s quiet and peaceful. Maybe, back before they closed the street there was a lot of ruckus but not now.
- Aki Resident June 2, 2024 (8:07 pm)
  
  https://vimeo.com/442450997
- WestSide Lover June 2, 2024 (8:54 pm)
  
  Here, Here…Couldn’t agree more – SAFER from what – What makes this a “Healthy Street’ Only those living on the ‘Healthy Street’ get any advantages/benefits.Why doesn’t SDOT fix the streets instead of ruining it for the locals.
  - Not a 1%-er June 3, 2024 (7:03 am)
    
    “Only those living on the street benefit?” What are you even talking about? Comments like this make it hard to take the criticism seriously.
    - Bob June 3, 2024 (9:25 am)
      
      It’s very much a benefit for the rich people that live on the streets to improve their home values. It’s fair for people to try and come up with other reasons, but the truth of it: look at where the ‘healthy’ streets exist relative to where safety concerns or incidents exist. There’s no correlation other than median income.
    - Not a 1%-er June 3, 2024 (10:39 am)
      
      Of course it benefits the homeowners, but that’s a far cry from saying they are “only” ones who benefit. Should we not make any improvements that benefit all of us if they happen to benefit wealthy people too? Just reading the comments to posts about the project makes it clear that many people who do NOT live on the street welcome the change.
    - Gary Richardson June 8, 2024 (4:24 pm)
      
      If course others will benefit. I’m not saying they won’t or opposing benefit to those living on that street.I just see a diminishing return and in some cases a worse outcome for those who have to travel to get there.Imagine driving there only to find that you have to park several blocks away due to full spots and you want to go clam digging or just enjoy low tide on foot I’m older now (sometimes my joints ache), don’t qualify for handicapped) and have two choices. Park at my parents place about half a mile away and either walk or bike there.I don’t like the Alki Avenue side for biking due to the bottle neck that forces you ride on the street with cars and taking 64th to the south end is safer but is next to a tailpipe exhausting arterial (better if cars parked on the road side).I get it, people envision the build it and they will come concept, and people will successfully do so. However, they don’t envision those who will turn away because of lack of parking, safety concerns, or some other logistical issue.
    - Neighbor June 3, 2024 (11:56 am)
      
      You’re wrong Bob. I use that street to avoid more dangerous routes. I don’t live on that stretch of road but it will benefit me greatly.
    - Katrina June 3, 2024 (1:18 pm)
      
      Where do you get this idea from? There are plenty of these closed to vehicle traffic “healthy streets” in areas of West Seattle that are not high income (North Delridge and Highland Park for example).
    - Gary Richardson June 8, 2024 (3:17 pm)
      
      It is a huge benefit for those living there and less benefit for those further away. There is going to be a loss of 64 parking spaces for those who come here to do other things than bike. Parking is already difficult and now they will make it worse.
      Bike access from the Alki Avenue side is dangerous and discourages access as a result.
      As a result, the projected enjoyment by pedestrians and bike riders alike is hindered at the cost of those further away.
      If built, you will not realize it until it bears fruit
  - Alki Original June 3, 2024 (2:03 pm)
    
    I agree!
- biker June 2, 2024 (9:45 pm)
  
  Hi Alki Resident. Maybe you’d like to go on a bike ride sometime with me and you’ll quickly understand how nice it is to have protected lanes. While no contact has been made on this stretch of road, I’ve had close calls here by impatient drivers. Even following traffic rules, stopping at stop signs, lights on, hand signals, and all that, it still is a challenging spot to ride.
- Alki Ave June 2, 2024 (9:59 pm)
  
  Do you live in this street? It’s been immediately quieter since the road was blocked Saturday morning
- Art Vandalay June 4, 2024 (1:30 am)
  
  Countless laws broken each and every day … speeding, racing, drug use, noise violations, broken glass, car break ins, and on and on…

Reed June 2, 2024 (4:04 pm)

Glorious!

c June 2, 2024 (4:09 pm)

Yes! Ha Ha! YES!

George June 2, 2024 (4:24 pm)

I already walked it today. Love Love Love. Feels so safe to be physically separated from vehicle traffic. Had a nice chat with the SDOT crew working on the Beach Drive installation. The drivers and walkers they are talking to like it as well. Such a good thing for this area.

JP June 2, 2024 (11:26 pm)

“Feels so safe to be physically separated from vehicle traffic.“….. or, you could just walk on the sidewalk that had always been there.
- Alki Original June 3, 2024 (2:05 pm)
  
  What a concept! Sidewalks! Yes! How did this happen without a vote?!
Ross June 3, 2024 (11:04 am)

Did you not notice the sidewalk before?! Lol
- walkerws June 3, 2024 (11:59 am)
  
  The sidewalk is too narrow. It’s also more pleasant to walk with less traffic, regardless of safety.

Jenna S June 2, 2024 (4:41 pm)

Done! I was just on Beach Drive and saw the new construction. Thank you SDOT for working through the weekend in these foul weather conditions to get this work done! It is much appreciated!

David Hutchinson June 2, 2024 (4:44 pm)

Just want to mention that the gap to the left of the signs in the last photo is provided so vehicles can enter and leave the Healthy Street area. Cars can then access destinations such as the Alki Point Lighthouse and Constellation Park Marine Reserve from the north end.

1994 June 2, 2024 (5:49 pm)

Right on! The street is not closed despite the signage! SDOT has only created a bottle neck for those travelling in vehicles, whether a privately owned one or a public one as in first responders, ambulance, city light or utility….

BeachCombOver June 2, 2024 (4:52 pm)

Excellent! Thank you! It looks great! I’m looking forward to actually using the street and not debating positive changes based on years of exhaustive outreach by SDOT. I encourage people to actually use the street before conjecturing and criticizing about what if’s instead of what is. The healthy street has been a massive improvement over how it was pre-pandemic. These changes should be considered as a logical next step to that extremely successful experiment.

Cycling Mom June 2, 2024 (5:04 pm)

We are thrilled to see the work continue on Alki Point/Beach Drive.Thank you Seattle for helping separate racing cars from our children that are walking and riding there bike’s. Safety is the number 1 issue!!

Cycling Mom June 2, 2024 (5:05 pm)

Good job SDOT, the project looks amazing!

CarDriver June 2, 2024 (5:17 pm)

Will be interesting to see if this becomes the car free and chock full of bikes and pedestrians nirvana that Sdot is convinced will happen

AlsoACarDriver June 2, 2024 (5:56 pm)

It will probably be imperfect, but we can’t let perfect be the enemy of good. This will be a huge improvement despite not being a “utopia”.
- Art Vandalay June 4, 2024 (1:33 am)
  
  Well said. Very much agreed. SDOT’s work is a significant improvement to the area, making it much more like a park.
Reed June 2, 2024 (6:21 pm)

Any reduction in vehicles will make it a pedestrian and bike nirvana.
something tells me June 2, 2024 (6:36 pm)

Something tells me you’re looking for someone to respond. Let me be the one. If there are not cars, it’s successful. The “cars are necessary” types will take a photo in the middle of a hail storm in January or at 7:30am on a Tuesday and claim it’s a failure. Keep your trolling to yourself.
- Pelicans June 3, 2024 (2:56 am)
  
  To Something Tells Me, There was no trolling here. WHAT in the world are you responding to?
- CarDriver June 3, 2024 (5:49 am)
  
  Not trolling just living in the real world seeing how many of the bike riders and walkers have DRIVEN to Alki to walk/ride By the way I live on Alki and have walked this section of Alki many times NEVER had issues walking on the sidewalk
  - Dan June 5, 2024 (10:46 am)
    
    Hmm, I pretty much exclusively run in the road because the sidewalk is narrow. A person walking their dog occupies almost the full width of the sidewalk. While you may not have had ‘issues’, it’s hard for me to agree with your opinion that everything was just adequate how it was.
cwit June 3, 2024 (1:47 pm)

Where exactly does SDOT say it’ll be a ‘car free and chock full of bikes and pedestrians nirvana’?This is what I’ve seen on the SDOT site. ‘While people can still drive to destinations on the street—or park on the street to visit the beach—safety improvements like speed humps, improved signage, and striping and markings discourage speeding so that it stays calmer and safer for all users.’Maybe I need to read between the lines or do my own research more or something.

lamont June 2, 2024 (5:34 pm)

That looks like it’ll turn into a traffic nightmare on hot summer weekends.

bill June 2, 2024 (9:03 pm)

And that will be different from the past how, exactly?
Beek June 2, 2024 (10:04 pm)

Drivers will learn to avoid it. With fewer cars, there won’t be traffic.
Not a 1%-er June 3, 2024 (7:08 am)

And drivers tend to avoid streets that are difficult and inconvenient to drive on if there is an alternative, like there is here – 63rd. If the only people driving on the street are those who need to, as opposed to those who just want to, there will not be any traffic jams. That’s the whole point.
Art Vandalay June 4, 2024 (1:35 am)

The idea is to discourage cars. It’s a place for people to walk, cycle, roller skate. Think parents with a baby stroller. A park. And yes, people who live in the immediate area can still drive to their residences.

Anne June 2, 2024 (5:54 pm)

Remember you can still drive down this street.

Darren June 2, 2024 (7:46 pm)

And I will often, law of physics, folks need to get out of the way, additional look at the picture of those expensive homes, shows that money and contact winsim ashamed that the city used tax dollars for this, still wonder who has paid off city officials , absolutely shameful
- Pelicans June 3, 2024 (1:00 am)
  
  Not ALL residents were in favor of this project. There was no way to opt out of it in SDOT surveys and they lied in the beginning saying they weren’t going to take away any parking. We’re not all millionaires. A lot of us are just long-time renters and retirees.
  - Pelicans June 3, 2024 (3:16 am)
    
    And on those of us on Social Security and Medicare , when you lump people in a group, categorize us, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You put us in a neat race/age/gender/group that not most of us fit in. hem
  - Jim June 3, 2024 (2:02 pm)
    
    Oh I know for sure not everybody down there is millionaires The point I’ve made several times is that it’s the people in the area who ARE millionaires that pushed for it
- Not a 1%-er June 3, 2024 (7:29 am)
  
  …and the people all gazed admiringly at Darren, as he stuck it to the man by driving down the street. “So brave,” they murmured. “So brave.”
  - Pelicans June 3, 2024 (9:12 am)
    
    Wtf?
- Neighbor June 3, 2024 (12:22 pm)
  
  I agree Darren, people do need to get out of the way. Cars are enormous and wasteful. If more people rode bicycles and walked there would be more space for that tiny minority of people who actually *need* to drive. So yes, cars should get out of the way. I’m glad SDOT agrees with you.

Admiral-2009 June 2, 2024 (6:03 pm)

The existing operation was great for cyclists with little conflict with pedestrians, the proposal to create a shared path is a dis-benefit to cyclists. Pedestrians already have a sidewalk thus the new path should be for cyclists, roller skating etc not pedestrian use.

Happyhogan June 2, 2024 (7:22 pm)

The sidewalk is too narrow for pedestrians. In a busy day you can have runners having to hop on and off to avoid strollers, wheelchair users not being able to get around walkers, etc.

The King June 2, 2024 (6:23 pm)

Should’ve left that without the concrete cylinders so emergency vehicles can easily get through. What are they thinking?

Alki Local June 2, 2024 (7:07 pm)

Emergency vehicles can easily get past the concrete cylinders, I’ve seen them do so yesterday and today since installation.
Pelicans June 3, 2024 (12:42 am)

In their infinite “wisdom” SDOT has left the Beach Drive stretch a TWO-WAY STREET. On crowded days with cars taking up all available spaces on the land side, there is no room for vehicles meeting in the one available lane to pull over and let the other pass! Yes, emergency vehicles will have difficulty accessing those blocks during congestion because of this. Thanks for nothing SDOT. At the very LEAST the Beach Drive blocks Should be ONE WAY!
- SLJ June 3, 2024 (6:06 am)
  
  Exactly. We walked there yesterday and the one remaining lane is quite narrow. If the parking spots are all filled (which they will be in the summer), cars going different directions will not have a way to go around each other. The road is so long the cars won’t know this until it’s too late. They definitely need to make this a one-way road.
- Ed Powers June 3, 2024 (7:56 am)
  
  Agreed. Being fairly new to the area, the design or concept was not well thought through. It’s as though it’s a West Seattle HS science project street modification design.It’s only ONE lane on beachside.It’s has to be one way! Over educated or maybe this case under educated folks thinking too much…. Witnessing a disaster in the making. Thanks city hall genius’s..
  - walkerws June 3, 2024 (9:28 am)
    
    Since almost all through traffic will be on 63rd (which is already an arterial), two way along this section of Alki Point shouldn’t be a problem.
Art Vandalay June 4, 2024 (1:37 am)

Today I witnessed a fire department truck and ladder (longest/biggest vehicle they have) navigate through just fine. Not an issue.
- Pelicans June 4, 2024 (7:57 am)
  
  Disingenuous, dude. Stormy, rainy day yesterday. No crowded parking on the land side and no bumper to bumper traffic.

wetone June 2, 2024 (6:25 pm)

City Mayor Bruce Harrell and SDOT leader Greg Spotts continue saying how they have major budget issues and city is $250 million in the red. But prioritize this job while paying overtime doing so…… Really ? Our city leaders really have priorities screwed up. Time for a change, I hope people show approval with their voting. ;) Betting this area gets redesigned with in a year due to failure/problems it will cause.

Reed June 2, 2024 (8:32 pm)

The much more likely outcome: life will go on, people will still drive there cars down this street, albeit with a little less convenience, and we will continue to throw obscene amounts of money at fixing pot holes and re-channelizing roads because car drivers are dangerous and too lazy to change their habits.

Admiral-2009 June 2, 2024 (7:07 pm)

wetone – Saturday when I rolled by there were a least a dozen SDoT employees watching the barricade being moved, not sure why it took that many employees to do that task. And hopefully this is not overtime pay if it is it’s should not be approved especially in light of City budgetary constraints.

Just for the Record June 2, 2024 (7:41 pm)

Hmm, I was there as well on Saturday and there were six people responsible for moving the large concrete barrier from the truck and driving the forklift to put it in place, another three individuals responsible for installing signs and reflective tape, and a supervisor. So, ten people altogether, and supervisors often don’t get over time.
- Why were you there? June 3, 2024 (11:57 am)
  
  Just for the Record, since this project is meant to dissuade people who aren’t residents from being down in this area, by your own admission it’s already not working.

Vee June 2, 2024 (8:00 pm)

Nothing needed to be done, it’s not busy now with cars going through, too bad SDOT didn’t survey it better, this is such a waste of money and awful design, there will be problems now I bet where there were none before

Niko June 3, 2024 (2:01 pm)

Basically a bunch of rich people who live on that street pushed for it. Find it very suspect how fast they got the work done as well despite the bad weather
- Pelicans June 4, 2024 (8:01 am)
  
  Yes! Working all day on Saturday and Sunday to complete it. When have you ever seen SDOT work on non-emergency, routine projects on the weekends, in bad weather?
Alki Original June 3, 2024 (2:02 pm)

Nothing I can add to this! You are right on!
Art Vandalay June 5, 2024 (2:24 am)

SDOT surveyed this project for months, with countless signs encouraging people to make suggestions, provide feedback and vote on various proposals.
Dan June 5, 2024 (11:00 am)

While I respect your opinion, I don’t think it’s evidence based nor absolute, and not at all reflected in my experiences of the area over the last decade.

Jenna S June 2, 2024 (8:29 pm)

Great to see this get done! Thank you SDOT.

Pelicans June 3, 2024 (3:56 am)

You know, I can only hope that Karma catches up with you all. Those of us who are old and lost our nearby parking spots and don’t yet qualify for disabled spaces will struggle in our daily lives.Enjoy your lovely open spaces you happy shiny people.

K June 4, 2024 (7:12 am)

It is so shockingly easy to get a disabled placard in this state I am honestly having a hard time understanding how one could be so disabled that walking a block makes something impossible, yet they don’t qualify for a placard. They are adding three spaces for ADA parking. Just have your doctor fill out the form. You can get your placards the same day if you walk into a licensing office with it rather than mailing it in. Washington’s bar for disabled parking privileges is REALLY low.

Joe Z June 3, 2024 (6:06 am)

Score one for the good guys!

AK June 3, 2024 (9:50 am)

What a waste of tax money for a ridiculous project. Good thing we can still drive downit!!

Alf June 3, 2024 (6:50 pm)

Amen, summer is coming and looking forward to meandering down this street. We should start a drive on alki club and slowly cruise on this section of this public road that each of us pay for
- Dan June 5, 2024 (11:02 am)
  
  Isn’t there already a slow cruise drive along this stretch already every Friday and Saturday night? I’m being nearly literal about that, there are several car clubs which do exactly this..

anonyme June 3, 2024 (11:25 am)

Pedestrians and cyclists sharing a lane is a terrible idea, and definitely not a safe one. I speak as someone who was severely injured after being hit by a cyclist while crossing legally in a controlled crosswalk. This is a dangerous proposition, which, of course, is going full steam ahead.

Jim June 3, 2024 (1:55 pm)

There’s also never been an incident of a fatality or an accident bicyclist pedestrian car or otherwise that I’ve ever seen on that street in my 50 years of living in West Seattle and I have a friend who’s in his ’70s and lives just a block away from the street where they took away all this parking and has never seen any incidents down there either
Joom June 3, 2024 (2:48 pm)

wow, sounds like a legitimate safety concern. I wonder whether a car has ever injured a pedestrian or cyclist or are bikes the main threat on the road??
Not a 1%-er June 3, 2024 (8:32 pm)

This is incorrect. The sidewalk is for pedestrians; the ten-foot protected lane is for cyclists/skaters. I realize people may not always use it this way, but the project was not designed for cyclists and pedestrians to share a lane.
- WSB June 3, 2024 (9:46 pm)
  
  The project page refers to the new lane repeatedly as for walking (among other modes).
  
  https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/healthy-streets/alki-point-healthy-street
- Rhonda June 4, 2024 (12:30 am)
  - A 10-foot-wide shared walking/rolling space
Dan June 5, 2024 (11:04 am)

It does not look like it is meant to be a shared cyclist/pedestrian space except for very slow travelling cyclists. The bike sharrows are painted in the street. That aspect I think might be confusing, it looks like most cyclists should be looking to go into the ‘protected area’, but it’s not really for cyclists going faster than 5mph (which is essentially all of them except kids).

Jeff June 3, 2024 (12:38 pm)

They need to arrest anyone driving on it that isn’t local or delivery. Seriously. That will be the only way to stop all these Edgelords like the ones who still claim they’ll drive on it for fun.

Alki Original June 3, 2024 (2:01 pm)

It is, and should remain, a PUBLIC road! Arrest?🤪
Rhonda June 3, 2024 (7:01 pm)

“Arrest”? 😂 I’m literally…..and legally…..parked here right now, along with a few dozen other drivers.
- Alki Original June 4, 2024 (12:26 pm)
  
  I was responding to Jeff. “Arrest”? meaning “You can’t be serious! Arrest people for driving on a public road that has been driven on for decades”?! This entire project is a complete joke and waste of taxpayers money.
Gaslit June 3, 2024 (9:55 pm)

Considering that there is zero legality to this project to begin with and the fact that local police won’t even arrest drug dealers and shoplifters. I think I’ll keep driving on this street. What will the charges against me be? Defying governmental waste and overreach?
- Dan June 5, 2024 (11:07 am)
  
  Considering Seattle traffic enforcement (as measured by tickets) has dropped by 90% in the last 3 years [1] – you’re probably not going to have to worry no matter what you do in a car short of hitting someone.[1] https://www.police1.com/traffic-patrol/articles/number-of-traffic-stops-have-plummeted-in-washington-state-Svnn8IXy4raqoHTb/

Elton June 3, 2024 (1:42 pm)

While I’m in favor of more cycle/pedestrian consideration, this is a bizarre design. The work that was done several years ago on Bell St that merges the sidewalk and the street and restricts vehicular traffic without concrete barricades seems way more sensible and follows a model that has been proven to be safer in several European cities compared to traditional street designs. This design feels over-engineered for the problem.

Alki Original June 3, 2024 (1:49 pm)

This is absolutely ridiculous! Pure entitlement! How did this even happen?I am fourth generation Alki Beach, and have visited this street countless times in my 70 years. I usually walked because I grew up on 55th but I now have a friend who is immobile and I Iike to take them down there and park to storm watch or just enjoy the view. My mother and I used to walk down there to watch the sunset. This is such a selfish entitled move and I don’t understand how it even happened without a public vote. Absurd!

John June 3, 2024 (1:54 pm)

I completely agree with you! They’re excuses that they put in like three handicap parking spots or something but the issue I have with that is that’s not a guarantee everyone will be able to get a handicap parking spot and someone like myself I don’t qualify for a disabled parking placard but I have a lower back problem that comes and goes and it can be extremely difficult to walk even just a couple extra blocks in this place has been a refuge for me to come down and walk and sit on the benches if I’m having a bad back day but still want to get outside
Jeff June 3, 2024 (2:12 pm)

What? This street closure makes it easier and more accessible for people to visit. Are you confused? How is it entitled and how is it preventing you from going down there to watch the sunset? It only makes it easier……..
- Pelicans June 4, 2024 (8:06 am)
  
  Read John’s post above. Less Accessable. Much less equitable.
  - walkerws June 4, 2024 (9:08 am)
    
    It is more accessible and equitable because it allows everyone to enjoy the space without loud, polluting cars obstructing the view and the enjoyment of this beautiful space.
    - This SHS is dangerous June 4, 2024 (12:42 pm)
      
      walkerws, this ENTIRE section is less accessible to everyone, including emergency, maintenance, and delivery vehicles. Even the privileged, wealthy homeowners cannot park in front of their own homes or get UPS/FEDEX/Amazon deliveries on crowded weekends or sunny days now. I witnessed several near-collisions of vehicles in the way-too-narrow street yesterday while the new pedestrian/bike lane was completely empty.
- Alki Original June 4, 2024 (12:15 pm)
  
  Also, how on earth do you see this as making it more accessible? I think you may be confused!
Jo June 3, 2024 (10:12 pm)

Alki Original,
Yes, before they removed the original stone house and established the sewage pump station, we parked right along that stretch of Beach Drive.
Same as now.
You should be relieved to discover that you can still enjoy this stretch with your immobile friend from your car.
My immobile friend’s preference for such in-car viewing is Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, where you can watch from the car without peering through the fence that mars the Alki Point section.
TAnderson June 4, 2024 (6:26 pm)

Sorry to say that I couldn’t agree with you more…….my wife love(ed) to stop and enjoy the unique scenery on Beach drive. She is unable to walk, ride a bike or scooter, or anything other than ride in a car. Long-time Alki resident finds herself unable to enjoy an area paid for by the public because some people don’t like cars. It would be great if there were no cars! But there are cars and as long as we need them then making public roads inaccessible is elitist by any measure.
- K June 4, 2024 (6:43 pm)
  
  How does she get around in your home? The new space is designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
  - TAnderson June 4, 2024 (7:41 pm)
    
    While it’s none of your business, she has congestive heart failure and must also breathe through a tracheostomy but can walk short distances (very short distances.)But again, it’s none of your business and you aren’t the arbiter of who has a legitimate mobility issue or not.
  - Donna, The Whale Trail June 4, 2024 (8:15 pm)
    
    Your question misses the point, K. Many elders and people with mobility issues drove to Alki Point to take in the view, without having to get out of the car. Retirement home shuttles brought residents there for lunch.
    
    This project is a loss in the day-to-day lives of many people, who had no say in whether it should happen.
    - walkerws June 5, 2024 (9:01 am)
      
      Your response also misses the point, Donna.Did the retirement homes make the residents eat lunch in the shuttles? Or did they – gasp! – get out?This project is a gain the day-to-day lives of many people, who all had a say in whether it should happen via polling and advocacy that SDOT rightfully listened to.
  - Donna, The Whale Trail June 5, 2024 (1:36 pm)
    
    Walker WS, the addition of the “walking, rolling, biking” lane and the removal of 62 parking places on the west side of Beach Drive was not announced until the final design was revealed in December 2023 – too late for public input, without any stakeholder engagement, and in violation of the City’s own guidelines for Healthy Streets.
    
    The design was radically different than their publicly vetted preferred option, which called for the removal of five parking places on Alki Ave SW only.
    
    Why did the design change so much between their preferred option announced in 2022, and the final plan announced in 2023? Who was pushing for it, and why weren’t stakeholders or the public allowed to weigh in? Questions SDOT has yet to answer.

David Hutchinson June 3, 2024 (2:07 pm)

I want to mention that SDOT has installed signs at each end of the project that say “Park Visitors WELCOME”. This will let everyone know that they can access the 2 destination locations within the project area – Constellation Park Marine Reserve and the Alki Point Lighthouse (which just began their summer Sunday tours).

For now, you can still park on both sides of Beach Drive from 63rd Ave up to 64th Ave. This section is designated as a “Future Project” by SDOT. King County at some point will be working on this section, under-grounding a power line from a new generator at the Alki Wet Weather Treatment Station to the 63rd Ave Pump Station.

My wife and I have lived along Alki Beach for over 50 years. We have used Constellation Park for walking, tide pooling, whale/wildlife watching and photographing, storm and sunset watching. I think the real impact of the new 11 foot wide, 2-way vehicle lane will only be tested during the warm summer days to come or possibly next weekend when temperatures are forecast to reach into the upper 70’s.

PATTI L WATERFALL June 3, 2024 (10:40 pm)

Here’s the deal1. Take a look at the picture. With cars parked on the land side, do you really think that there is enough room for 2 way traffic.2.I watched today as the Amazon truck totally blocked traffic. North and south bound. No movement. Drivers are forced to find room to turn around. 3 Bikes are no longer allowed within the newly enlarged walking path. They will only be allowed on the road with the cars.4 If there is a fire or medical emergency, you better believe that the city will be held responsible if response time is affected 5 if you picture the blind corner just south of the lighthouse, a bicyclist’s run at a fast pace, around this corner, they aren’t going to be able to be safely negotiate the curve with cars headed north . This is a blind corner. Sight is limited.b This same curve, due to the sight limitations ,cars moving in both directions will not have the opportunity to pull to the side to allow cars coming in the opposite direction to pass. This is blind corner. We experienced gridlock before these modifications. No room for a U turn. Approximately 60 parking spots have been illuminated. Mothers with children, orca watchers, paddleboarders, kayakers etc will be forced to find parking elsewhere. Moving into the surrounding neighborhoods. Thereby limiting parking for those who live in these areasBottom line is, why are we appropriating funds to alter a street that has worked well? Ageing bridges and road conditions come to mind. I see nothing but problems with this.

Vision Zero failed June 3, 2024 (11:23 pm)

100% correct, PATTI. Today I saw 3 small kids on e-scooters riding VERY fast in the new path.
Foop June 4, 2024 (12:15 am)

I’m confused. People seem to hate bikes in the road cause they’re too slow. But now they’re too fast? Which is it?
JEff June 4, 2024 (10:49 am)

Is response time going to be affected ever? I mean no different than other traffic hurdles you could concern troll until the cows come home

VN June 4, 2024 (8:15 am)

Many of the positive comments about this change seem to come
from those individuals who simply want to ride/walk past this public area and
not those that come to explore the beach itself. There is a very long protected bike lane that
runs along Alki beach just around the corner from the Point. What’s been left
out of consideration by SDOT, is that this change will impact the thousands of
individuals and families that come to this area to explore the marine life on
this unique tidal pool beach through educational programs, the elderly and
those in our community that have physical limitations, and our community
members who do not happen to live within walking distance of a beach. It’s
deeply concerning that closing a driving lane and forcing all traffic from
residents, delivery and emergency vehicles and bicycles into a two-way single
lane won’t have dangerous results.

SDOT and the mayor’s office indicated that they will be
reviewing the impacts of these traffic revisions to the broader community for
the next year. I would encourage everyone
to communicate their thoughts after visiting this Marine Reserve / Marine Educational
Site and Seattle Public Park.

https://chng.it/jcPZB55HmL greg.spotts@seattle.gov bruce.harrell@seattle.gov

rob.saka@seattle.gov

walkerws June 4, 2024 (9:09 am)

What about my comments indicates that I don’t want to explore the beach itself? I love walking through this space and also enjoying the beach. Those who enjoy the beach will enjoy it more without loud idling cars so close. Win-win for everyone!
Handicap June 4, 2024 (2:04 pm)

I have tried to determine through call to city and robs office if a official study was completed to determine impact on senior and handicap community zero response 3 parking spaces how was that determined limited if any bus serviceDiscussion at senior center many many of us feel invisible and this is another example of excluding those of us with mobility issuesdoesn’t feel good and incredible sad that we were not thought of how this would impact us but the rich residents are more important
- B. Healthy June 4, 2024 (5:51 pm)
  
  An “official study” is not required. The only requirement is that the city follow guidelines as prescribed by the State of WA, and Federal ADA. One of every 25 spaces or 6% of available spaces are the ADA guidelines. This looks like what’s been cerated.
  - Handicap June 4, 2024 (10:22 pm)
    
    Thanks for the information Good to know the city did as little as possible little as they were required to do to ensure acess for seniors and handicap community in the mean time the elite rich get a enhanced enclave and the able body receive increase acessshame on you city of Seattle and those of you that support this. Would you accept this kind of discrimination of other margalized populations disgraceful
    - walkerws June 5, 2024 (9:02 am)
      
      How is meeting all ADA requirements in the process of greatly improving a space “disgraceful”?

Vee June 4, 2024 (9:05 am)

I drove down nte area to see what it looked like, this is such a unsafe and dangerous design, it was very easy to walk bike etc before,I couldn’t believe they did this design with the road only allowing traffic to get through one way, cars were parked along the residents side and there was no way there could be two way traffic, if a police car or sid car or fire truck needed to go by for an emergency,they couldn’t,and if someone needed help or rescue on the blocked off new area there is no place for them, there is going to be an accident for sure , this is a terrible design, and btw, no one was in the new blocked off area, this is very concerning that there will be major problems and accidents where there were none before

Temple June 6, 2024 (10:45 am)

This is a horrible idea. I live on beach drive where this is now setup and parking is a mess. A message to the city who planned this you should Fire the people in charge of this project and hire some real engineers to figure out a better solution as this is not going to work.

Scarlett June 6, 2024 (1:16 pm)

The problem in enclaves like Seattle are those who want to create slices of idyllic utopias in neighborhoods where only they can afford to live. There are no free lunches in life and there is a price tag for living in an neighborhood, or city, where the sounds of cars are increasingly replaced with the whirling of bike wheels and seagulls. For those who do not have deep pockets, they will have to travel further and face more obstacles to sample these so-called “public” areas – accompanied by lectures from the affluent about how to access public transportation and the like.

Gary Richardson June 8, 2024 (5:15 pm)

It’s good to see more people seeing for them self, whether for against, still good to see.Time will tell what has been gained and lost. I’ve had 2nd thoughts on making it a northbound one way with angle-in parking on the water side and still have wide bike path.Hopefully more people will also consider making improvements to the stretch of road east of the lighthouse and capping/relocating the water treatment facility for even more space to enjoy.