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Route Alerts
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Using the bicycle for transportation can be beneficial on
many levels. It's healthy for you and the environment; it
reduces traffic and parking congestion and allows for more
accessible communities.
Commute Route Alerts
Construction projects can cause temporary problems for bicyclists. When we
hear about a location that is noteworthy, we will try to post it here.
Know of another spot? Send the details to our Webmaster.
| Location | Description |
|---|
Frager Road & Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
mid July 2010 - Dec 2011 |
Beginning as early as July 19th, Frager Road will be closed from S.200th Street north to the
Mitchell Moving and Storage facility until the project is completed which could be at the end of 2011.
As early as July 19th, nighttime construction on new sewer and water lines is planned to begin on
Southcenter Parkway between S. 180th Street and Minkler Blvd.
Work hours will be from 10 pm to 8 am Monday through Thursday.
There may be times when work over Sunday or Friday night is warranted, but is being discouraged.
Closure of the intersection at Southcenter Parkway and Minkler Blvd., will occur as needed to complete
necessary connections of sewer and water lines and only be at night.
The Interurban Trail is recommended as a detour.
Contact Mike Mathia, Public Works project manager at mmathia@ci.tukwila.wa.us or
(206) 431-2466.
|
Burke Gilman Trail and Ship Canal Trails, Seattle
mid July - Sep 2010 |
Seattle City Light is planning to restore two 200-foot steel lattice towers, one on the Fremont side of the
Ship Canal near N. 34th and Phinney Ave. N.; the other on the Queen Anne side, near Warren Ave. N. and Nickerson.
The work will involve a safety buffer area beneath the towers and staging of equipment on either side.
Consequently, a portion of the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Ship Canal Trail
in those areas will be closed intermittently between mid-July and the end of September.
Seattle City Light recognizes the inconvenience to bicyclists and pedestrians.
The work will be done as quickly and safely as possible. Signs and barriers will be used to promote a
detour around the areas.
An analysis of the towers, which allow electrical lines to span the Lake Washington Ship Canal,
showed they were damaged and need strengthening. The project will allow the Canal and Broad Street
substations to provide better mutual support and improve our system’s electrical capacity and reliability.
Questions or concerns about the work can be directed to Mark VanOss,
City Light Communications & Public Affairs, at (206) 684-3279 or by email to
mark.vanoss@seattle.gov.
Project updates can be found at:
www.seattle.gov/light/aboutus/construction/
|
Ballard Bridge, Seattle
June 2010 - Jan 2011 |
The north and south approaches to the Ballard Bridge (everything except the bascule) will be pressure washed and
repainted during this project. Expect
alternate side lane closures and sidewalk closures throughout. Work hours anticipated to be 7am - 4pm, with occasional night or
weekend work.
More details at: SDOT website
|
S. Dearborn St, Seattle
April - July 2010 |
Starting May 17 June 7th, Seattle Department of Transportation will repaving parts of
S. Dearborn Street between 5th Ave S and 10th Ave S,
and fixing curb ramps, signal detectors, etc.
During construction, there will be lane closures, but at least one lane on S Dearborn Street
will be open for traffic at all times in both directions.
More details at
SDOT website
|
15th Avenue NE Bridge, Seattle
May 2010 - Apr 2011 |
Starting May 17th 2010, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the
15th Avenue NE Bridge across Thornton Creek to all traffic so that crews can make necessary structural repairs and correct
erosion problems along the slope of the ravine under the bridge.
The bridge is slated to be out of operation for approximately 11 months.
During construction, the bridge will be closed to all traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians.
Traffic will be diverted to Roosevelt Way NE, Lake City Way NE/SR 522, and Northgate Way during the bridge
closure period. Detour signs will be posted throughout the area and closure signs and information flyers will be posted at
each end of the bridge to help pedestrians and cyclists identify the detour route.
More info at: SDOT website.
|
SR 99 Aurora Bridge, Seattle
Apr 2010 - early 2011 |
Construction was to begin April 21st mid-May to install anti-suicide fencing on the outer walkways of the
George Washington Bridge (aka the Aurora Bridge) on SR 99 in Seattle. The construction will begin at night
May 24th
but expect lane and sidewalk closures throughout the project.
[note construction start has been postponed due to equipment
problems. check the WSDOT website for latest updates.]
Contact: Greg Phipps, 206-267-6019
phippsg@wsdot.wa.gov.
You can also visit WSDOT website
for more detailed updates.
|
Airport Way S, Seattle
April 2010 - Sept 2011 |
Seattle Department of Transportation will repaving Airport Way S between Royal Brougham and Spokane St.
They will try to keep at least one lane open during most of the project, but check the
SDOT website
for detailed construction updates.
Suggested alternate routes: to/from downtown via E-3 Busway (5th Ave S) Trail; to/from I-90 Trail via S Lucile St and 15th Ave S.
|
UW Light Rail Station, Seattle
Jan 2010 - 2013 |
Construction at the University of Washington light rail station is underway by Sound Transit and is expected to
continue through 2013. Expect construction activities along Montlake Boulevard
adjacent to Husky Stadium that will affect the roadway and sidewalks, and occasionally the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Expect occasional detours for closures of both sidewalk (including across the Montlake Bridge) and lane(s) near the construction
site at Montlake Boulevard NE and NE Pacific Street, and as far south as E Shelby St (south side of Montlake Bridge).
Contact: Wilbert Santos, (206) 370-5516 wilbert.santos@soundtransit.org,
or visit:
www.soundtransit.org/UWstation
|
NE 12th Street bridge, Bellevue
Feb 2010 - Spring 2012 |
The state Department of Transportation will replace the Northeast 12th Street bridge over Interstate 405
with a wider one that will include a trail separated from traffic for cyclists and pedestrians.
Construction begins Feb 15th, 2010 and by late February or early March, two of four lanes and one sidewalk on the existing bridge will be closed
for two years, during construction of the new bridge.
Bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers should use the Northeast 10th Street Bridge or other routes.
More info at: WSDOT "Braids" project website.
|
Spokane Street - Seattle
Jan 2010 - May 2012 |
Construction on the South Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project
commencing January 2010 and lasting through 2012 will have some closures that will affect bicyclists. Specifically:
- Close all lanes of westbound lower Spokane Street (from Sixth Ave S to First Ave S) to through traffic for the duration of the project beginning January 22, 2010.
- Reduce Fourth Ave S between S Horton and Industrial Way S to one lane in each direction beginning January 22, and lasting for a minimum of one month. This may include full closure of northbound lanes at night for up to a week.
For more information and the most up-to-date closures, check:
www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreetdetour.htm
|
SR 520 Bike Trail - Redmond
June 2009 - Dec 2010 |
Update July 2010: The bike trail is open for the remaining duration of the project from
NE 40th Street to 148th Avenue NE. The contractor may need to flag bike traffic depending on activity,
but any disruption should only be momentary.
Access to NE 36th Street will not be available until the project is finished sometime in the fall.
The bike trail along SR 520 is closed from 148th NE to NE 40th St, from June 2009 through the end of 2010 during
construction of the NE 36th/31st Street Bridge across SR520.
Detour route: via 148th NE and NE 40th St
(or 148th NE to 36th to 150th to 40th).
Info contact Dennis Apland, dapland@redmond.gov 425-556-2867.
|
Green River Trail - Kent, Tukwila, etc.
Fall 2009 - Spring 2010*
*"The giant sandbags may remain in place until the Corps has completed repairs to the dam,
which could be up to five years."
|
The Green River Trail to be Closed for Bikes this fall/winter.
In response to the threat of flooding, due to the problems with the
Howard Hanson Dam,
the City of Kent has made the decision to spend their own money to purchase huge sand bladders that
will be placed on top of both sides of the levee that runs parallel to the Green River. These large sand bags/bladders will be placed in the center of the trail, so only limited pedestrian access will be allowed.
See the press release from the city about this action.
The exact time frame of closure/detour is dependent on the US Army Corps of Engineers and their evaluation of the Howard Hanson dam
but expect it to be as long as there is the "elevated threat of flooding". Installation will likely
begin the week of October 5th and expect other cities (e.g., Tukwila) may
follow suit with more trail closures likely.
There will be a map of suggested detour routes published to the City of Kent website and as handouts.
More information at the King County website.
|
S. Royal Brougham Way
Seattle
WSDOT SR 519 Intermodal Access Project
Summer 2009 - late Spring 2010 |
Until late Spring 2010, Crews will be working on S. Royal Brougham Way between First Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S.
to construct new off ramps from I-5 and I-90 and a new overpass on S. Royal Brougham Way.
S. Royal Brougham Way is closed to vehicles except during games or events at Safeco or Qwest fields.
The north sidewalk is open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Another alternative is the north sidewalk of Edgar Martinez Way/Fourth Avenue ramp and King Street.
Cyclists can use these routes between First Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. to avoid both trains and construction on S. Royal Brougham Way.
Be warned though, that there are NO curb ramps off the sidewalk at the 4th Ave & Edgar Martinez Way intersection.
Once construction is complete in Spring 2010 there will be new bike lanes on the Royal Brougham overpass
(no more waiting for trains) and on sections of Third Avenue S. and S. Royal Brougham Way.
For more info: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519.
|
John Wayne Trail Tunnels
January 2009 - indefinitely |
31 January 2009: Tunnels on the
John Wayne Pioneer Trail (aka the Iron Horse Trail),
across Snoqualmie Pass, are closed until further notice because of falling-debris hazards.
More info at: Seattle P-I article
and
ValleyRecord.com.
|
Getting There
The Bicycle Alliance is involved in several programs to help people ride to work and school:
Bike Buddy Program
The
Bike Buddy Program matches experienced bicycle commuters with
those looking for tips and guidance in learning how to use their bicycle for transportation.
In Spokane? There is a separate website for
Spokane Bike Buddy
Program, coordinated by the
Spokane Bicycle Club
and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.
Additional bicycle commuter resources can be found at the
Cascade Bicycle Club website.
Safe Routes to School Program
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and
Feet First have partnered to form the
Center for Safe Routes to School in
Washington State which is funded by a Transportation Enhancements grant
from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The combined
efforts of the organizations will provide extensive resources and
assistance to communities and schools around Washington. Check out the
new Safe Routes website
or contact Dave Janis at daveja@bicyclealliance.org or 206/224.9252.
Bicycle Commuting Workshops
Join the Bike Alliance's Commuting Program Director,
Every Day,
for an upcoming bicycle commuting seminars.
Are you looking for advice about commuting by bicycle?
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has the resources you need to select a route and learn
the basics of riding in traffic. The Alliance can also help you select a bike and learn basic repair skills.
For bike commute advice anytime,
call the Bicycle Alliance at 206-224-9252 or email bikebuddy@bicyclealliance.org
Notes from Previous commute workshops, with links to Kent Peterson's
entertaining and insightful take on getting the most out of your commute:
Commuting Tips:
- Toronto Cyclist Darren J. has some good tips for cycle commuters who don't have access to a shower at work:
how-to-always-smell-fresh
- Trying to decide which kind of fenders to get for your bike? Read this
New York Times article
that evaluates at six different brands/styles of bike fenders.
On the Road, Rail, and Water
Links to information on taking your bike on buses, trains, ferries.
[see Parking section below for info on bike lockers and Park & Ride lots.]
Links to Bike maps
Warning: some of these files are large and may take a considerable amount of time to view or download over a dial-up connection.
Maps neighboring Washington State
Bike Route Suggestions
Several different online applications give directions that suggest bike-friendly routes. None of these is perfect,
but they can suggest routes you might not have considered.
Bicycle Parking Facilities
It's not enough to just ride your bike--you still need a secure and convenient place to lock it
up once you get to where you are going. Racks are fine for short-term parking, but for commuters,
more permanent shelters are in order. The following links provide information
on installing lockers at your place of work, renting publicly available lockers, and using a variety
of short-term and long-term bike parking facilities:
Looking for a place to clean up after you bike to work? Check out this list of
Gyms/Athletic Clubs with showers [Word doc] in Seattle's central business district.
Bicycle Parking Guidelines
Want to create your own bike parking facility? Or recommend to your employer or retailer how they
can provide good parking for bicyclists? We developed design guidelines for Effective Bicycle Parking under our
Shop by Bike program.
Bike rack vendors can provide products from the basic to the creative and custom.
Check out these web sites to see what is available or can be created to order:
Tips
Be a Better Bicyclist
Route Alerts
| Getting There
| Road/Rail/Water
| Bike Maps
| Parking
| Tips
|
