Pacific Northwest - Mercer Street Update

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alfonsol
09-09-10, 02:03 PM
They broke ground today and I perused the web for interesting comments but most of what I found was either blindly-critical or car-centric, or both. Does anyone here have a though I might not have come across yet?

I'm exited to finally have some options to cross 99 at the very least.

nhluhr
09-09-10, 08:42 PM
here's my thoughts:
Too many damn cars in downtown already.

http://media.rei.com/media/pp/ee69cc50-715c-4634-a3c4-dd6af59da815.jpg
stringbreaker
09-10-10, 06:05 AM
here's my thoughts:
Too many damn cars in downtown already.

http://media.rei.com/media/pp/ee69cc50-715c-4634-a3c4-dd6af59da815.jpg

I want one of those shirts, where did you get it?

nhluhr
09-10-10, 08:01 AM
It's made by Green Label Organics. My wife got it for me at REI. That photo is not me.
stringbreaker
09-10-10, 01:35 PM
I'll look for it. Thanks
Catgrrl70
09-10-10, 04:54 PM
I ride this area every day and construction around the area really started months ago. Not sure why it's all of a sudden a 'groundbreaking.'

There's some info here: http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/mercercorridor.htm

Basically Valley will be much improved with less traffic, slower traffic and bike lanes. Say goodbye to the awful S. Lake Union trail along the north side of Valley. However, beware because the whole bike infrastructure in this area will be majorly impacted by any tunnel work (north portal they call it). Bike infrastructure is coming in dead last in the whole scheme even though major bike routes use the area to cross (Dexter, 9th, Fairview). Travelling East/West may indeed be better as a cyclist should be able to continue down Valley to Roy which may have bike lanes as well. Transitions from Valley to 9th or to Dexter may be more contentious and the planning I've seen so far has cyclists routing over a crosswalk/shared path/sidewalk schematic than street use...um, hello...anyone at SDOT heard of bike signals.

Note that WADOT has a death grip over this whole process, just like the 520 corridor process and they are not in any way transit, pedestrian or bike friendly. WADOT emphasises SOV and freight over any other mode. The Seattle Bike Board has been surprisingly good as far at bike advocacy to date. They meet the first Wednesday of every month at City Hall. That's where I get most of my bike info.