vrkelley
08-28-07, 08:21 PM
I just ran across an old article that I saved from 5yrs ago about the 520 trail.
But the path is not intended to be a causal stroll through the area. It has limited access points to accommodate safe cycling at high speeds and is intended to provide an alternative for commuters traveling between Bellevue and Redmond.
Any comments? To me it seems like the 520 trail somehow became a MUP
=====Article from East Side Journal====================
SR 520 bike trail gets $2.9 million extension
2002-05-23
by Diana Hefley
Journal Reporter
REDMOND -- Bicycle enthusiasts are 1.8 miles closer to getting a path over State Route 520 that links the Eastside to Seattle.
The state Department of Transportation will open the newest section of its SR 520 bicycle-pedestrian path this morning.
The new section runs from 124th Avenue Northeast to 148th Avenue Northeast along the highway. The path -- now 4.5 miles long -- extends to West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast.
The ultimate plan is to create a path on SR 520 from the Sammamish River Trail to Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, said Melanie Coon, spokeswoman for the department.
She added that the path is state-of-the-art, meeting national design standards, especially those required by the American with Disabilities Act.
But the path is not intended to be a causal stroll through the area. It has limited access points to accommodate safe cycling at high speeds and is intended to provide an alternative for commuters traveling between Bellevue and Redmond.
``It is a great way to get to the Overlake business area,'' Coon said.
The 1.8-mile section cost $2.9 million to build.
Bicycle enthusiasts are thrilled with the new section and the prospect of being closer to cycling across SR 520 and leaving traffic behind.
``This just makes sense to provide an alternative to getting in your car,'' said Bill Moritz, a bicycling advocate.
Moritz, along with the Cascade Bicycle Club, kick started the project more than a decade ago. The retired University of Washington professor used to cycle from his Bothell home to work, and now rides about 6,000 miles on the Eastside each year.
The project, he said, has been a great cooperative effort between bicyclists and the state transportation department.
``DOT has been extremely open and included us in much of the design process. Many features of the path are a result of our feedback,'' he said. ``Although it's taken a long time, it has been a wonderful experience and we're pleased with the new section.''
A ceremony to celebrate the newest section of the State Route 520 bike path will be held at 11 a.m. today at the access point on the north side of SR 520 at 148th Avenue Northeast in Redmond.
Diana Hefley can be reached at diana.hefley@eastsidejournal.com or 425-453-4243.
PUBLIC WORKS WASHINGTON GRAPHIC by Dan O'Brien/Journal: New bike path section.
But the path is not intended to be a causal stroll through the area. It has limited access points to accommodate safe cycling at high speeds and is intended to provide an alternative for commuters traveling between Bellevue and Redmond.
Any comments? To me it seems like the 520 trail somehow became a MUP
=====Article from East Side Journal====================
SR 520 bike trail gets $2.9 million extension
2002-05-23
by Diana Hefley
Journal Reporter
REDMOND -- Bicycle enthusiasts are 1.8 miles closer to getting a path over State Route 520 that links the Eastside to Seattle.
The state Department of Transportation will open the newest section of its SR 520 bicycle-pedestrian path this morning.
The new section runs from 124th Avenue Northeast to 148th Avenue Northeast along the highway. The path -- now 4.5 miles long -- extends to West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast.
The ultimate plan is to create a path on SR 520 from the Sammamish River Trail to Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, said Melanie Coon, spokeswoman for the department.
She added that the path is state-of-the-art, meeting national design standards, especially those required by the American with Disabilities Act.
But the path is not intended to be a causal stroll through the area. It has limited access points to accommodate safe cycling at high speeds and is intended to provide an alternative for commuters traveling between Bellevue and Redmond.
``It is a great way to get to the Overlake business area,'' Coon said.
The 1.8-mile section cost $2.9 million to build.
Bicycle enthusiasts are thrilled with the new section and the prospect of being closer to cycling across SR 520 and leaving traffic behind.
``This just makes sense to provide an alternative to getting in your car,'' said Bill Moritz, a bicycling advocate.
Moritz, along with the Cascade Bicycle Club, kick started the project more than a decade ago. The retired University of Washington professor used to cycle from his Bothell home to work, and now rides about 6,000 miles on the Eastside each year.
The project, he said, has been a great cooperative effort between bicyclists and the state transportation department.
``DOT has been extremely open and included us in much of the design process. Many features of the path are a result of our feedback,'' he said. ``Although it's taken a long time, it has been a wonderful experience and we're pleased with the new section.''
A ceremony to celebrate the newest section of the State Route 520 bike path will be held at 11 a.m. today at the access point on the north side of SR 520 at 148th Avenue Northeast in Redmond.
Diana Hefley can be reached at diana.hefley@eastsidejournal.com or 425-453-4243.
PUBLIC WORKS WASHINGTON GRAPHIC by Dan O'Brien/Journal: New bike path section.