Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Viaduct(s) & Bicycle Routing
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August 26, 2008 at 4:35 pm #587886
AlParticipantThought I’d try to get a forum going about the looming and eventually current viaduct construction and bike routes. It’s going to effect all traffic, but the city seems to have done minimal planning when it comes to routing bikes through the area (the bike route looks like it will actually be obliterated for some time and crossings will be hazardous). Hopefully, this information will be helpful and if problems are encountered by bicyclists regarding bike-specific routing or other construction problems you can list it here. I can report this information to appropriate sources at SDOT directly and the bike clubs (you can do this yourself too, if you want to). The first posts are just background information. If I find out anything at any meetings specific to upcoming construction changes, I’ll post it here so it’s easily referenced.
August 26, 2008 at 4:36 pm #635564
AlParticipant1) Bike lanes N/S will be added to 1st Ave S, Spokane to Marginal in 2008
2) Sharrows will be placed on 1st Ave S, N/S, from Dearborne to Lander in 2008 consistent with the re-paving project. Parking will not be removed.
3) Sharrows will be added to 1st Ave S, N/S, between Lander and Spokane St in 2009 – but not all of it due to Spokane viaduct widening project.
Here’s the kicker which will effect many, many people in West Seatte: ALSO – found out that NO dedicated bus lanes will be allocated to West Seattle/Burien routes during construction – buses will be required to use the same routes they currently do (even if it means the lanes are reduced to one way each direction) and no new bus service will be added. ALL West Seattle commuters are in for some huge slow-downs.
August 26, 2008 at 4:37 pm #635565
AlParticipantNote that SDOT has not published any bike-specific information for the Spokane Street Viaduct widening project although re-routes and construction will certainly affect the current bike route to/from West Seattle.
If you haven’t read the entire document, these are quotes taken directly from the Viaduct replacement project http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library-environmental.htm “Construction Effects & Mitigation.”
Pgs 93-94: “During Stage 1, pedestrians and bicyclists would use the existing combined path south of Atlantic St. Between S. Atlantic & S. Royal Brougham, the path would cross under the existing viaduct and run along a temporary path east of the viaduct. North of S. Royal Brougham, the sidewalk on the west side of Alaskan would be closed and peds and bikes would be routed along the existing MUP. Signs would be posted to help direct peds and bikes through the construction zone.â€
During the last 6 mos of Stage 1…bikes using the bike lane on Alaskan could be detoured, as will vehicular traffic…to Atlantic, Royal Brougham, and 1st Ave S. Bikes would have the option of sharing the road with vehicles on the detour routes or using the existing MUP on the east side of Alaskan.â€
During Stages 2-4, a combined pedestrian/bike path would be provided on the west side of Alaskan, close to the existing sidewalk. The existing path located on the east side of Alaskan would be closed south of King Street…a connection would be provided to Atlantic…As in Stage 1, bikes would need to use the MUP or share the roadway…
During Stage 5, localized lane closures would be required for final paving and striping. Bikes and peds may be detoured to other routes for brief periods…â€
Pg 96: “During much of the construction period, the bike lane on Alaskan south of Royal Brougham would be removed. Bikes would use the shared MUP, although some may opt to share the roadway with vehicles. This would increase the potential for vehicle-bike conflicts…â€
Pg 99: “Trucks traveling to and from the staging areas and work zones are expected to use established truck routes, including 1st Ave S…(referring to game/special events traffic) conditions would likely be worse during construction…traffic disruption caused by construction would also effect traffic conditions on nearby local streets. Some drivers would choose to divert to alternate routes. In particular 1st Ave S…â€
Pg 119: “The Jack Perry Memorial Viewpoint, Waterfront Bike/Ped Facility, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trail would be affected during construction…could include noise, blocked and cluttered views, dust, traffic delays, and congestion. Construction would make it more difficult for people to reach parks and recreational facilities and to travel within the project area once they arrive…During construction, the Waterfront bike/ped facility along Alaskan would be removed. Until the new pathway is complete, bikes and peds would use alternate routes such as 1st Ave S…people using the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trail along Atlantic west of 1st would also be required to use an alternate route during construction. The experience of bicyclists and peds on the alternative routes would likely be less scenic and perhaps less conducive to recreational (use) than existing pathways.â€
August 26, 2008 at 4:38 pm #635566
AlParticipantBased upon what WSB posted (in July) about the Spokane Viaduct work to start in August, pending updates currently:
…”Consultants who attended last night’s SWDC meeting on behalf of the city said some of the first work you’ll see will be in August, when a water main will be replaced on a section of lower Spokane Street; the first longterm closure is scheduled to be eastbound Spokane, for about a year and a half starting in fall.”
Detour will be
Eastbound traffic, north via East Marginal Way to Hanford, then to 1st Ave. S to Lander to cross the tracks.
This means traffic will be HEAVY from Spokane to Lander, the major bike cross getting from West Seattle to the northbound bike lane on the east side of Alaskan. Those heading north from south of Spokane St will likely encounter much heavier traffic.
There’s a map at this link: https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=7504
August 26, 2008 at 4:39 pm #635567
JoanMemberTHANK YOU AL! :D
August 26, 2008 at 5:12 pm #635568
WSBKeymasterI am almost done with the latest Spokane Street Viaduct update, from the project manager’s appearance at last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting. The eastbound lower Spokane Street closure is now not going to start until approximately mid-September – the contractor “decided to do some things differently” and that changed the plan that had them sounding the alarm a month ago “it’s happening any second now.”
-TR
August 27, 2008 at 3:37 pm #635569
AlParticipantThanks Lowman!
Here’s the latest link with more info posted on the blog: https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=10030
August 28, 2008 at 4:18 pm #635570
AlParticipantAugust 29, 2008 at 7:51 pm #635571
AlParticipantWhoo-boy. Just when I thought I was caught up. Just received this information from SDOT today (I see WSB has it as well) regarding the upcoming start of construction on the ALASKAN WAY Viaduct (as opposed to the Spokane St. Viaduct work). Not sure if the relocation will directly affect traffic patterns yet, but we can only assume “yes.” I noticed on my way home last night that the east parking lot at the corner of Spokane St/Marginal Way was being blacktopped. This is a major staging area for Viaduct work and expect even more traffic in/out of that lot, of which the bike route crosses. Watch out for a.m. traffic around that area Friday, Sept 12th. Here’s what I received:
WSDOT, King County, and the City of Seattle will break ground on Friday, Sept. 12 for the S. Massachusetts Street to Railroad Way S. Electrical Line Relocation Project. In this project, crews will move power lines now attached to the viaduct to underground locations south of the stadiums. Doing so will better protect the city’s power supply in an earthquake and prepare us to take down the southern mile of the viaduct between S. Holgate and S. King streets starting in 2009. Guest speakers include WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond and Seattle City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco.
We hope to see you there!
9 – 10 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 12
In the parking lot on the east side of the viaduct, between S. Royal Brougham Way and S. Atlantic Street
To learn more about the electrical line relocation project, please visit our Web site at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/electrical.htm
September 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm #635572
AlParticipantThanks WSB!
Closure of lower EB Spokane pushed back to Sept 16th.
If you use lower Spokane Street from 1st eastward (usually accessed by West Seattleites getting off the Spokane Street Viaduct at 1st Avenue So.), listen up: The city has just pushed back the start date for that street closure (and the above detour) till week after next, though a parking change WILL kick in next Monday, according to Elaine Yeung:
From a meeting this morning, we found out that we will not be closing eastbound S Spokane St until September 16th. The reason is that currently the re-paving work on 1st Ave S, south of S Spokane St is using eastbound S Spokane St as a detour route, and they will not be finished until a week later than we had expected.
To enable the contractor to stage and mobilize equipment, there will be no parking beneath the (Spokane Street) viaduct between 2nd and 4th beginning on Monday, September 8th
The closure will be for utility work that marks the start of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, which will double the width of the elevated roadway between 99 and I-5, plus change the ramp configuration, over the next three years.
September 9, 2008 at 5:01 pm #635573
AlParticipantThis was posted on the WSB, but The PI is getting in on it too. Note that the city doesn’t think the work will effect traffic too much, but the PI thinks differently. And, what I wasn’t aware of is that the eastbound Spokane St will remain closed after the pipe replacement work is completed.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/378251_sodo09.html
September 10, 2008 at 9:53 pm #635574
AlParticipantI am sorry I couldn’t go to this meeting. But I’m glad someone brought up the bike question. Here’s what was said:
Q: All these projects are affecting bicycle commute, this has seen an increase like it has never seen before, do any of you have anything specific to say about the route between here and downtown for bicycles
JW: When it comes to viaduct replacement, all planning retains bicycle and pedestrian routes. When it comes to south end, when it is done and central waterfront, in the end product you will have much enhanced bicycle facilities.
SG: The main route downtown will not be affected. The bike lanes will remain as they are.
Not quite true. Bikes and auto traffic will be interacting more frequently and possibly with frustration. The main bike route from West Seattle directly crosses the detour route prior to Hanford, and bikes will have to merge into the ONE bike lane along Marginal/Alaska. There are no bike “lanes” just lane. The bike lane along Marginal/Alaska may indeed be shut down at times during the Alaskan Viaduct construction (in a couple years) according to the planning documents I posted above. Agreed with the improved bike facilities when it’s done, provided they don’t criss-cross active train tracks…
September 11, 2008 at 3:53 pm #635575
AlParticipantHere’s a link to all the construction that will be happening in the very near future. Thanks WSB and MCA’s Ms. Barker.
Note the rapidly approaching 2009 construction schedule as well as the 2008 E. Marginal Way construction (which I was unaware of).
September 12, 2008 at 3:28 pm #635576
AlParticipantInfo about Marginal Grade Separation:
http://www.portseattle.org/news/press/2007/06_18_2007_98.shtml
September 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm #635577
AlParticipantThe Duwamish Bridge may be a project covered by “Bridging the Gap” – they are reconfiguring/adding (?) facilities to make it easier for bicycles to use that bridge (not the Lower Spokane St Bridge). However, finding this information is not easy since it’s not posted anywhere. I’m checking this.
More interesting information regarding construction in the upcoming years in the SODO area…
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/FMACMeetingSummaryFinal0717098.doc
September 30, 2008 at 4:44 pm #635578
AlParticipantSo far so good on the eastbound Spokane Street closure. Anyone had any problems so far? I’ve encountered heavier traffic than prior to the closure (both N and S bound on Marginal), but not many problems. It is trickier to cross Marginal around Hanford, so I’ve been paying close attention to traffic before I cross Marginal to get to the bike lane in the mornings.
Now this is upcoming soon, the start of work on the overpass in November at Atlantic/1st/Marginal: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/381088_stadiumhwy30.html
“Improvements to the Atlantic-First intersection include addition of a turning lane on First and improvements to the surfaces of both streets. That work is to be finished by April 1. Two new bridges — one from I-90 to Atlantic as well as above Brougham — are to be completed by the spring of 2010, with the entire project to be open to traffic by early June of that year.
The work will mean restrictions on vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian movements around the stadiums.
State project manager David Sowers said there will be construction work on the new bridges above Brougham between Third and Occidental Avenues, where some people now walk. Sidewalks on Brougham may be narrowed at times because of the work; some construction will be halted near Safeco Field on the afternoons of game days and construction will be kept out of some road lanes during rush hour.”
September 30, 2008 at 8:02 pm #635579
vincentMembergood work keeping info in one place AL.
HOWEVER
I am pissed the dudes camping out under the bridge seemed to scare away the rooster.
lets talk about real issues.
September 30, 2008 at 8:07 pm #635580
ErikParticipantSeptember 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm #635581
AlParticipantYES – I have not seen the rooster for about a week now. I even got to hear him crow several times in the early morning. I always had a “helloooo Rooster” for him as I passed by.
October 1, 2008 at 4:26 pm #635582
vincentMemberI think we need a rooster committee to deal with this *lack of rooster* issue.
do we need more roosters?
how do we save existing roosters?
what is the appropriate way to prepare Coq au Vin in the winter.
October 2, 2008 at 3:51 pm #635583
AlParticipantRooster spotted yesterday, Oct 1, approx. 4:45 pm. He is alive!
October 15, 2008 at 4:23 pm #635584
AlParticipantYou may be well aware of this now, but there’s some construction on East Marginal that narrows the lanes and eliminates the bike lanes/shoulders of the street just north of South Hanford street. Bikes are instructed to merge with traffic (big signs). I cannot find any reference to this construction on SDOT schedules. It may have to do with the general viaduct work, having to do with the bridge (it’s the bridge portion I think) area there? In any case, use caution when merging and Take The Lane to prevent autos from crowding you. It’s very narrow and you want to be sure no one passes you in this area.
October 15, 2008 at 4:39 pm #635585
vincentMemberIts nice coming southbound, as they appear to be filling potholes and smoothing out the sides of the route, although its often from smooth to unseen obstacles. They have also managed to make some of the grates *more* dangerous.
I had some pissed off cars this morning when I obeyed the “bicycles merge with traffic” signs
October 15, 2008 at 10:17 pm #635586
AlParticipantI’ll check out southbound on my way home, and the new grates! Those are already a problem. How do you like the new blacktop over the bricks? It nicer, but I’m afraid they may be making one of those “bike lanes” that’s partially blocked by parked cars most of the time.
:-) …just obey the signs…
November 6, 2008 at 6:57 pm #635587
AlParticipantFrom the Seattle Bike Advisory Board meeting 11/5/08:
The new asphalt laid down on the west side of E. Marginal Way was put there to help bicyclists. The funding for this was very minimal, but SDOT is listening to bicyclists from West Seattle. Personally, I find it a lot smoother…yes, they know there is a break in the asphalt section, but there wasn’t the funding to do all of it so they chose the worst pieces.
The West side of E. Marginal should be re-striped next year. Not sure how yet…SBAB keeps referring to this as a ‘bike lane’ but the official city designation remains a ‘shoulder.’ Perhaps bike lane designation is on the way?
If Fauntleroy is re-paved, bike facility additions (lanes/Sharrows/street calming) are being discussed. Please contact SBAB and SDOT with input! bikeboard@seattle.gov & walkandbike@seattle.gov
SDOT re-iterated that it will maintain bike access through the viaduct construction. It looks like it’ll be mostly combined with pedestrian routes, but they will have separate bike lanes whenever possible.
SDOT appreciates the responsiveness of West Seattle bike commuters. They adjusted the routing through the current construction on Marginal according bike input (i.e. altering the obstactle course of barrels, train tracks and fire hydrants). Keep the input coming!
Some new bike route sigage may be on the way soon…it’s unclear when, but November was the month expected. If you see it, give feedback on how it works/doesn’t work.
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