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University Bridge is one of the bridges ranked in poor condition and in need of significant maintenance work. (Photo by Doug Trumm)
On Wednesday, the Seattle City Council’s transportation committee will vote on Chair Alex Pedersen’s amendment altering spending priorities for the $20 vehicle license fee (VLF). Passed by the Council in November, the fee is expected to pull in $7.2 million per year.
While Pedersen’s amendment appears to have five votes via the five sponsors backing it Pedersen, Andrew Lewis, Lisa Herbold, Teresa Mosqueda, and Debora Juarez a committee recommendation isn’t assured. Only Pedersen and Herbold are members of the transportation committee, while Juarez is an alternate. Plus, some sponsors could change their mind and oppose the plan. Six Council votes and the Mayor’s signature are needed to ultimately approve bonding, and it’s not clear he has them.
600 Fourth Avenue
Subject: West Marginal Way SW - Duwamish Trail Connection
We support SDOT s proposal to add a two-way protected bike lane in the southbound curb lane of West Marginal Way SW from the signal at West Marginal Place SW to the half-signal and crosswalk at the north end of the Duwamish Trail on the east side of the street. The protected bike lanes would fill in the missing link in the Duwamish Trail from South Park and Highland Park Way to the Spokane Street Bridge and the Alki Trail. This is a regional bike route leading to the Alki Trail, West Seattle Junction, Green River Trail, SODO, Downtown Seattle, and the Mountains to Sound Trail. The route serves marginalized and underserved communities in the Duwamish Valley. Filling this gap is part of the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. It has been the top priority of Cascade Bicycle Club and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways for the Duwamish Valley and West Seattle peninsula. This route is critical for all bike traffic between n
Good luck!
Andres,
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Conversationally, we discussed the $250k/mile figure, with a little extra for planning and unforeseen expense. Under promise, over deliver. I was suggesting compromise with a phased approach, but to SDOT it makes fiscal and practical sense to do it in one shot. I can be on board with that.
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I don’t typically apply for the DoN grants myself, as I would then need to recuse myself from voting at the district level. However, I’m always happy to answer anyone’s questions about them, and provide what assistance I can. Not enough folks apply for them IMO, and the Parks dept and SDOT find great value in the applications even when unfunded. The Safe Routes grant is great, thanks for the tip.
Dearest Martha,
The Great War on Cars has entered its 135th grueling year, but at long last there seem to be signs that the tide may have turned in our favor, lending hope to all that the great automobile army may finally be defeated once and for all or if not eradicated, at least contained.
Out here on the front lines, we have witnessed a few silver linings in recent months, with streets liberated for community use. The citizenry could not stand being cooped up inside, and once released from their commutes, the troops witnessed a gradual awakening to the fact that miles upon miles of paved open space lay before them, leading to a great cry of: “Wait … this is only for cars??? That’s dumb.”