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Route Alerts
| Getting There
| Road/Rail/Water
| Bike Maps
| Parking
| Tips
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 |
|---|
West Thomas St Overpass, Seattle
Sep 2011 - Spring 2012 |
Heads up for Seattle cyclists: construction of West Thomas Street Bicycle-Pedestrian overpass is underway.
Expect some impacts along Myrtle Edwards Trail, Elliott Ave W and 3rd Ave W. Anticipated completion is spring 2012.
|
Burke Gilman Trail, Lake Forest Park
June 15 - Nov 2011 late Jan early Feb 2012 |
A two-mile-long stretch of the Burke Gilman Trail will be CLOSED for construction beginning June 15,
from Northeast 145th Street to Logboom Park in Kenmore.
King County has established a 24-hour hotline - 206-462-6348 - to provide updated information and to answer any questions about the
construction project, which could last up to six months.
More information (including detour route and latest status updates) on the
King County website.
Dec 8th update: Reopening delayed until late January 2012.
Jan 24th update: Reopening delayed until early February 2012
|
Alaskan Way, Seattle
Fall 2010 - 2012+ ? |
Long term construction as part of the Viaduct Replacement Project. Expect intermittant closures and detours along the
Alaskan Way S/East Marginal Way S corridor between S. Royal Brougham Way and as far south as Spokane Street.
More info, updates, and maps showing closures and detour routes at
WSDOT website.
|
Frager Road & Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
mid July 2010 - Dec 2011 Summer 2012 |
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.
More info at: Project website
Project hotline: 206-431-2176,
E-mail: southcenterparkway@tukwilawa.gov.
|
Airport Way S Viaduct Over Argo, Seattle
Dec 2011 - Spring 2013 |
The Airport Way South Viaduct will close on November 28, 2011.
The viaduct will be fully closed to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for 12-14 months to complete work to
replace the north and south approaches of the viaduct.
During the viaduct closure, all vehicles will be detoured to 4th Avenue South. Bicycles and pedestrians will be detoured to 1st Avenue South from
S. Lander St to S. Lucile St.
Signage will be placed throughout the region to alert users of the viaduct closure and detour route
Check the
SDOT website
for detailed construction updates.
|
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
|
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.
|
John Wayne Trail Tunnels
January 2009 - indefinitely July 2011 |
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.
More info on the reopening in this
Bicycle Paper article.
|
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
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
|
