Spokane St Bridge closure – recommended detour

As you know, the Spokane Street Bridge is currently out of commission. To ride or walk from West Seattle across the Duwamish River it is now necessary to use the First Avenue South Bridge or the South Park Bridge.

Here is a bike detour route from our Resources page that we recommend. A bit longer but with less vehicle traffic and lower vehicle speeds than SDOT’s detour route. Most of it is signed as a bike route, but signage is lacking at the foot of the First Avenue S Bridge. The RideWithGPS route has audio and printable cues for turns. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34419471

Here is a current video of that route, from John Graham: https://youtu.be/eLyQXbQ7xfw

More than 2-1/2 years ago, we asked SDOT to make permanent improvements for a safe detour route to the Spokane Street Bridge for just this sort of predictable and likely event.  Our allies at Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, and Cascade Bicycle Club joined us in these requests for the Reconnect West Seattle work. SDOT did not respond, except for minor improvements on 6th Ave S and one track crossing. Now it is an emergency. SDOT is putting together a temporary detour route with temporary protections, and the City is working with King County Metro to offer free bus and water taxi rides for all who need alternatives. While hoping for a more pro-active work for permanent improvements, we are grateful for the current effort. The temporary work and the transit fare relief give options for people biking, and provides a valuable opportunity to test out the planned bike lanes for part of West Marginal Way SW, and bike routes in Georgetown and SODO.

If you try either or both of these routes, or have another to suggest, please let us know what you think.

Cycle History – West Seattle Music Scene

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society and West Seattle Bike Connections are delighted to announce that Cycle History is back for an in-person ride in 2022!
September 18, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
Start from the drive between the north side of West Seattle High School and Hiawatha Community Center.
Come explore West Seattle’s music scene –from jazz to grunge, we’ll have stops to please music lovers, bike enthusiasts, and everyone in between! Musician and West Seattle music historian, Peder Nelson, will tell stories, play clips of music, and introduce a couple of guests from the music community.
This Cycle History ride is an annual project of Southwest Seattle Historical Society and West Seattle Bike Connections. Join us after the ride for the End of the Summer Social at the Log House Museum, 1-3pm.
Ride information and registration here: https://cascade.org/node/79067
This will be a Cascade Bicycle Club free group ride. Please register in advance so we can get going more quickly.

How do we end traffic violence?

Robb Mason was killed by the driver of a white or silver sedan at the east end of the Spokane St Bridge right near this spot. Here is another one willing to do the same thing. Joe is clearly visible, clearly intending to cross the at the clearly signed crossing, with family and friends on the way to Seattle Neighborhood Greenways safe streets party. Joe has the right of way. The driver has an obligation to stop but does not care. How can we get drivers like this to care? Or, at least prevent them from committing this kind of violence?

Terrible tracks no more

Some good news! The terrible track crossing on the Duwamish Trail by the cement plants was fixed last week with permanent steel-edged precast concrete panels.

We’ve been asking for years. This kind of spot improvement makes it safe and comfortable to travel by bike. Thank you to SDOT and BNSF!

And, thank you to Desiree Serr for the photo.

This is an actively used rail line, so do watch for trains, and cross tracks at 90 degree angle.

WSBC Bike and Brew Ride May 14!

The 5th Annual West Seattle Bike Connections Bike and Brew ride!

Saturday, May 14, 2022. Meet at 1:oo pm ready to go for a 1:15pm departure.

Meet at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW)

This social ride is approximately 5 miles each direction with minimal hills and climbing. We’ll ride at a casual 10-12 mph pace and stick together. We’ll be visiting a family-friendly brewery in Georgetown. All ages are welcome, but riders under age 16 should bBike riders on the First Avenue South bridge bike lanee accompanied by an adult. Could be rain showers, so just dress accordingly.  Please join us!

 

West Marginal Way SW / Duwamish Trail missing link

SDOT announced a decision for the Duwamish Trail missing link on West Marginal Way SW: Protected bike lanes will be installed after the West Seattle Bridge reopens in mid-2022.

While sooner would be better, it is good to have this commitment from SDOT to permanently improve safety for bike riders and vehicle drivers on West Marginal Way SW. Reducing the opportunities for reckless right-side passing by impatient drivers should reduce the frequent crashes that tie up traffic for hours and injure people using this route. WMW is an essential freight route. We understand the need to prioritize freight and to accommodate all others who must use this street.
Kudos to the SDOT Vision Zero team. They developed a creative plan and reached out and listened to all who depend on this street for transportation and for safe pedestrian crossing at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center.
This will fill in a missing link in the Duwamish Trail, a regional bike commuting and recreational route leading to the Alki Trail, West Seattle Junction, South Park, Georgetown, Green River Trail, Tukwila, SODO, Downtown Seattle, and the Mountains to Sound Trail. The route serves marginalized communities in the Duwamish Valley. This route is critical for all bike traffic between northern West Seattle and Greater Seattle at times when the Spokane Street Bridge is closed to bike traffic for inspections and repairs. The improvements will make the route safer for commuting by bike, especially in winter and at night, and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities.

Bike Everywhere Day Celebration Station – Friday May 21

6 to 9 a.m. 5/21/21.
Come visit our Bike Everywhere Day station where the trails meet at the west end of the Spokane Street Bridge!
In partnership with Commute Seattle, WSBC will be joined by Westside Bicycle and Bike Works, who will be providing bike checks and simple repairs. We’ll have information on bicycling routes, giveaways (including a bike from Bike Works!) and a selfie booth to snap a #FlipYourTrip photo with Sal the Salmon, courtesy of SDOT. Volunteers will be on hand to answer your local cycling questions–from commuting to just getting started. We look forward to seeing you!
Check out Cascades Bicycle Club’s map for other celebration stations and Bike Month activities. https://cascade.org/rides-and…/bike-everywhere-month-2021
Four people standing and chatting, one with bike, at our Bike Everywhere Day Celebration Station. People with bikes meeting in early morning at our Bike Everywhere Day Celebration Station table and tent. Councilmember Lorena Gonzales with e-bike at our Bike Everywhere Day Celebration Station.

Safety for West Marginal Way SW

With Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, we support SDOT’s proposal to add a two-way protected bike lane on West Marginal Way SW from West Marginal Place SW to the  crosswalk at the north end of the Duwamish Trail.

This will fill in the missing link in the Duwamish Trail, a regional bike route leading to the Alki Trail, West Seattle Junction, South Park, Georgetown, Green River Trail, SODO, Downtown Seattle, and the Mountains to Sound Trail. The route serves marginalized and underserved communities in the Duwamish Valley. This route is critical for all bike traffic between northern West Seattle and Greater Seattle at times when the Spokane Street Bridge is closed to bike traffic for inspections and repairs.

Map of SDOT options for West Marginal Way SW revisions for Duwamish Trail connection.

Cross section drawing of SDOT option 2 for West Marginal Way SW bike lane for Duwamish Trail connection.

 

 

A significant benefit of the protected bike lane will be to improve traffic safety for all road users by slowing down speeding southbound traffic on West Marginal Way SW.

Crashes are frequent and severe. Median speeds were in the mid-40’s and did not come down after speed limits were lowered to 30.  Now speed radar signs are up, resulting in only about a 5 mph reduction. There is no congestion problem southbound due to lane capacity. There is a speeding and reckless driving problem, causing crashes and making it treacherous to cross on foot. Traffic congestion only occurs at the south end at the Highland Park Way intersection, where the backup from the First Avenue South Bridge begins. Along most of West Marginal Way SW, frantic drivers are rushing to get into the traffic jam as fast as they can. To hurry up and wait. Making more of the north end consistently one lane will allow drivers who travel at or near the speed limit to control the speed of all traffic, without any effect on throughput across the bridges. The bridges are the choke points, not the street.

photo of three people crossing West Marginal Way Southwest on foot at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center

For the short distance between the Duwamish Trail crossing and the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, we support SDOT’s option to allow parking in the curb lane north of the new signal and crosswalk. This will eliminate the current illegal use of the sidewalk area for parking that blocks pedestrian access.

Map of SDOT option for West Marginal Way SW curb lane revisions from Duwamish Trail crossing to SW Alaska Street.

Photo of car parked on dirt path on west side of West Marginal Way Southwest where there is no street parking and no paved sidewalk.

Port of Seattle and Seattle Freight Advisory Board members are concerned about losing a traffic lane and about truck maneuvering at drives. We support their goals for good, efficient truck routes including on West Marginal Way SW. Our members and our neighbors are employed by these industries, and we all depend on them. We support SFAB’s request to maintain traffic lane width meeting standards for this Major Truck Street. However, we think the concerns about the PBL are not justified. Some industrial users also want lower traffic speeds, to help them get in and out of their driveways safely. Making the southbound direction continuously one lane from the Chelan intersection to the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center will eliminate the Freight Board’s concerns about traffic merging from two lanes to one approaching SW Alaska Street.  If it turns out we are mistaken and SFAB’s fears are realized, the PBL would be easily reversible. If it turns out we are correct, this would help tame a free-for-all speedway into a street that prioritizes freight for industries and the seaport, but also safely accommodates people on bikes and walking as well as people driving personal cars and trucks.

Building a sidewalk where it is missing on the west side will provide a safer, more comfortable walking route from the nearest bus stops on SW Spokane St and on Delridge Way SW to the industrial employers and the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center. However, sidewalks are not a safe substitute for protected bike lanes in the roadway, due to narrow width and poor sightlines at driveways where buildings are built to the property line at the street. Some have suggested cutting all the street trees to widen the sidewalk to the curb. Cutting more than two dozen healthy street trees would be contrary to City policy and would put cyclists just inches away from the most reckless drivers passing traffic on the right at speeds often exceeding 50 mph, making the route less safe.

photo on West Marginal Way at Duwamish Trail crossing with SDOT, Port of Seattle and community group representatives talking.We appreciate the proactive effort from SDOT to improve safety and mobility on West Marginal Way SW. We also appreciate the ongoing community outreach and engagement to make this work responsive to the needs of all people traveling on this important corridor.

Big Dig on Highland Park Way

While waiting for SDOT to get back to us on our April 28 (!) action requests for biking to the bridges, we did some of it ourselves, with folks from Highland Park Action Committee and the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails Group.

Biking to Bridge the Gap

Emily asked us how to ride her bike safely from West Seattle to work at the VA Hospital. Erin asked how to ride to UW Medical Center.  Travis is willing to commute on his new e-bike all the way to Green Lake. We are fielding many inquiries. Bike sales are taking off.  With alternate route traffic delays looming, Georgetown and South Park residents are fearful of gridlock, air pollution, and for the safety of their children walking to school. We know that using bikes instead of cars will help free up capacity on the remaining bridges. But we need a few improvements make it safe and efficient for these folks and many more people to bike instead of drive.

West Seattle Bike Connections with Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Cascade Bicycle Club sent a detailed proposal to the City yesterday, summarized here.

OUR GOAL

Mobility for West Seattle, SODO and the Duwamish Valley.

Keep people and goods moving safely across much lower-capacity bridges over the Duwamish while the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge is closed. Mitigate impacts on our communities. Honor Seattle’s commitments to equitable transportation, our environment, social justice, and economic vitality.

STRATEGIES

Encourage or incentivize as many people as possible to use bikes or transit, or both, instead of driving private vehicles. Accomplish this before the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

    1. Improve conditions to make it safe, efficient and comfortable for people to ride bikes and transit.
    2. Concentrate on safety and wayfinding for biking and bike/transit connections:
      • On key West Seattle bike routes to the Spokane Street bridge, and from the bridge on East Marginal Way S to Pioneer Square, Downtown, SODO Trail, and SODO light rail station.
      • On bike routes to the 1st Ave S bridge and South Park Bridge, and bike routes within South Park and Georgetown that are impacted by alternate route traffic and may also be needed for biking from West Seattle whenever the Spokane Street Bridge is closed.
      • On routes to and bike parking at the King County Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.
    1. Protect Neighborhood Greenway streets near alternate routes from cut-through traffic, to keep them safe for residents and for walking and biking by people of all ages and abilities.
    2. Ensure availability of bikeshare bikes. Provide bikeshare discounts and bike/e-bike financing to people with low incomes.
    3. Use up to 1% of the bridge repair cost for mitigation measures for bike and pedestrian safety and efficiency.
    4. Use advocacy groups like West Seattle Bike Connections, Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, Cascade Bicycle Club and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways to:
      • Identify opportunities to improve safety and wayfinding.
      • Provide route advice, route maps, bike buddy matching, bike trains and educational rides.
      • Connect people to good advice and local bike shops for selecting and maintaining bikes, including e-bikes.
    • Screenshot 2019-01-05 21.58.42

RECOMMENDED WORK FOR STREET SAFETY

PRESERVE these already planned and funded projects on schedule: 
EXPEDITE these key Bicycle Master Plan high priority routes:
    • Sylvan Way SW / SW Orchard and east to Highland Park
    • Highland Park Way SW off street multi-use path
    • 1st Ave S Bridge to 1st Ave S safe route north from bridge
    • SW Roxbury  bike lanes without reducing traffic lanes
QUICKLY IMPLEMENT spot improvements for wayfinding and safe routes:
    • On Spokane Street Bridge routes at the Chelan 5-way intersection; on Fauntleroy Way and Admiral Way; on the “Nucor Trail” connection from Delridge to the Alki Trail; at Terminal 18 trail crossings on Harbor Island; on East Marginal Way; and on the connections to the SODO light rail station and SODO Trail.
    • On 1st Avenue South Bridge and South Park Bridge routes at the Duwamish Trail “missing link from the Alki Trail; on Highland Park Way at West Marginal Way; at rough rail crossings on the Duwamish Trail and in Georgetown; and on routes in Georgetown through SODO.