Burke-Gilman Trail Extension Projects

11th Ave. NW - Ballard Locks ("Missing Link")

Updated January 11, 2008

Summary of November 15th, 2007 Open House held at Whitman Middle School:

More than 70 people attended the first public meeting for the Burke Gilman “Missing Link” Project. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the design process, describe some preliminary trail alignment designs and hear from meeting participants about their ideas and concerns for this segment of the Burke Gilman Trail.

At the meeting poster boards were on display (see design proposal aerials below) showing the trail alignment and the general design details for different trail segments. In a presentation to the crowd the project manager noted these key points:

1) As of 2003, the final route decision for the “Missing Link” was made. This route, formerly identified as the green line, was previously examined through a public process and approved by City Council. The environmental review process is currently under way along the proposed route. This new public process is in place to provide a forum for public comments and concerns related to proposed trail design.

2) SDOT has actively met with property owners and businesses to discuss how to mitigate any potential impacts to loading docks and driveways. No final decisions have been made about the design details.

3) The possibility of building a complete permanent trail as opposed to a trail with two interim segments will continue to be evaluated by the City for the longevity of the project.

A presentation of the design team’s proposed alignment of the trail identified where there may be opportunities to improve and organize traffic flow; add striping and signage; or improve streetscape and drainage with the trail. In the question and answer session the following issues were discussed:

1) What is the City of Seattle doing to address the 150 parking spaces that will be removed to accommodate the trail?

2) Seeing that it has taken decades to get to this phase of trail design, what is the City doing to drive the trail construction funding process?

3) Please consider the needs of cyclists like the needs of drivers. Are there bike lockers or stalls planned for the trail as well?

4) Safety is critical. The City needs to make sure curb cuts and repairs are made to trail connections with sidewalks. Also, do not use decorative gravel or trees with shallow roots. These elements make for treacherous biking conditions.

Full list of public comments received at Open House

What Happens Next?

The design team will use the ideas generated at this meeting and through the trail planning website, as well as the guidance provided by the SDOT’ staff, to refine the design details. They will also begin design for the next segment of the trail. New design work will be presented at a public meeting scheduled for June of 2008 at Whitman Middle School. At this meeting, participants will have the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed design. That review will, in turn, guide the remainder of the trail design process.

Background

The Design Team has studied several design options to fit a multi use trail in the route that the City Council defined in 2003. The preferred design generally follows the south side of 45th Ave. NW and Shilshole Ave. between 11th and 17th with a new pedestrian and vehicular signal at 17th and Shilshole. For the 17th to Locks portion the design is much like the 2003 approved route;

• interim route along Ballard and Vernon,
• new trail south side Shilshole between roadway and railroad from Vernon to 24th,
• interim route south side of Market from 24th to 28th, and
• a new trail north side of railroad tracks from 28th to the Locks.

The goal is to achieve 12 ft wide minimum trail where not constricted by existing structures.

The Team is proposing a trail segment paralleling the Shilshole roadway from the Yankee Diner driveway to 24th in addition to a segment paralleling the tracks. The Team has met with several businesses whose operations will need to be modified to accommodate the proposed trail.

Ballard Corridor Design Study - February 2003

Below are links to all sections of the design study:

Executive Summary
Design Study
Appendix A: Conceptual Design Plans (Recommendation)
Appendix B1, B2, and B3: Cost Estimates (All Options)
Appendix B4 and B5: Cost Estimates (Recommendation)
Appendix C: Conceptual Design Plans (Open House)
Appendix D: Missing Link History
Appendix E: Cross Section Guide
Appendix F: Parking Data
Appendix G1: Green Route Photos
Appendix G2: Red Route Photos
Appendix G3: Blue Route Photos
Comments from 2002 Open House

To view the above PDF documents, download the free Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website.

If you would like to receive email information about this and other Burke-Gilman Trail projects, please sign up for the Burke Gilman Trail e-mail distribution list.

For more information on this project, contact:

Kirk T. Jones, Project Manager, Seattle Department of Transportation, (206) 615-0862, or by Internet e-mail, kirkt.jones@seattle.gov.