South End Ballard Bridge

Rev. September 9, 2009

SDOT received a lot of thoughtful feedback via our blog and meetings with bicycle and freight stakeholders on how to improve the south end of the Ballard Bridge for bicyclists . As a result, the proposed near-term design shown below on this web site will not be implemented. Instead, SDOT is taking the following steps:

• Review sign placement for the southbound traffic to give motorists more advance notice that bicycles will be entering the road.
• Trim trees in the area to improve visibility for traffic and bicyclists.
• Paint the curb cut where bicyclists enter the road to help alert drivers.
• Evaluate speeds of southbound traffic on 15th Avenue W. Depending on the results of the speed study additional measures may be taken including installing a radar speed sign, or lowering the speed limit.

For more details read a letter from SDOT Director Grace Crunican on the subject.

The problem: Currently cyclists heading south on the west side of the bridge must exit through a small curb opening which faces into an oncoming lane of traffic. Also, because of an island in the middle of Emerson Street at this intersection, it is hard for some large trucks to make the turn.

The solution: A near-term, low cost solution has been developed with input from a 15 member Ad Hoc Committee consisting of freight, bicycle and pedestrian advocates. This design is currently being shared with stakeholders and includes:

• Shift the curb opening south so it does not place cyclists directly into a lane of oncoming traffic
• Paint a green bike lane across the Emerson Street intersection
• to alert drivers turning right that cyclists may be entering the road
• to guide cyclists on where to be
• Shift warning and guidance signs north on the bridge to give drivers and cyclists more advance notice and provide better sign visibility
• Reduce the size of the median so large trucks can more easily make right turns onto Emerson Street
• Paint white stripes and edge lines which visually narrow the pavement width to reduce vehicle speeds when making right hand turns
• Add raised pavement markers (white bumps known as Turtles) where stripes are painted to discourage cars from making high speed right hand turns, but still allow enough room for larger truck turns. Raised pavement markers will not be placed in the path of bicyclists.

Project cost and schedule

The project cost is expected to be $20,000 and take one to two days to build. SDOT is taking stakeholder feedback on the project design until August 12 at the SDOT Blog. Construction will occur between August 14 and September 4. Construction will likely require the closure of Emerson Street for one to two days.

Other options considered

At the request of a business owner, SDOT looked at three options for grade-separating bicycles from traffic. The three options ranged in cost from $900,000 to $3.1 million. At this time the options are cost prohibitive and are not budgeted. Should funding become available, SDOT would need to consider if they are the best solutions for the amount of money and desired outcomes. Below are the three options considered.