The Seattle Dept. of Transportation (SDOT) is seeking input on proposed changes to Aurora Avenue North (a.k.a. Highway 99). While the chance to attend in-person meetings has passed (sorry!), you can still register your opinion via this online form. The comment period is only open through April 5, so you better hurry.
The proposed work area runs from just south of the Aurora Bridge north to 145th St. For the purposes of this project, SDOT has divided that stretch into 5 segments:
- Segment 1: Harrison St to N 38th Street
- Segment 2: N 38th St. to Winona Ave N
- Segment 3: Winona Ave N to N 85th St.
- Segment 4: N 85th St to N 115th St
- Segment 5: N 115th St to N 145th St
SDOT is proposing slightly different redesign concepts for each segment. These are not set in stone (hence, the request for public comment), and what would happen in the transition from one segment to the next has not been worked out. Perhaps most importantly, funding for these changes has not been identified. So don’t expect anything to happen soon.
Segment 2, which runs from 38th, at the north end of the bridge, to Winona, at the north end of Green Lake near Beth’s Cafe, is nearest to our neighborhood. For this segment, SDOT is proposing three different ideas: a Walkable Boulevard option, a Bike Connection plan and a Center-Running Bus Lane plan. For your convenience, I’ve included the SDOT schematics for each of these, as well as their schematic and photo of the existing alignment, at the bottom of this article.
None of these proposed realignments appears to steal away any of the existing travel lanes from this busy thoroughfare. [Important note: While this is true of this segment, Segment 2, it is not true of many of the proposals for other segments where the roadway is more narrow. Check out the article comments below for more information.] Currently, there are two general purpose lanes and a bus-only lane in each direction, and that count would remain the same. With the Center-Running Bus Lane option, the bus lanes would, obviously, move to the center of the highway. I can’t think of any other street in the city where this has been done although it’s reminiscent of streets like Dexter and Roosevelt where the bus stops have been moved to islands nearer to the center of the road while parked cars and bikes move behind the bus stops. I sometimes run errands on my bike to some of the businesses on Aurora (never in the roadway, always on the sidewalk!), so the Bike Connection option seems attractive. However, I’ll note that the Interurban Trail (which runs north from the ship canal along the side of Phinney Ave. while navigating around the zoo before turning onto Fremont Ave N) runs just a few blocks west of Aurora, and is more quiet and far less congested. So I think I might continue to avoid Aurora for any “fun rides” to Shoreline.
Regardless of the eventual plan SDOT chooses, it seems that a redesign is in order. Every year, several pedestrians are hit while crossing. It’s pretty commonplace to see people trying to dash across mid-block, but I can’t really blame them as the safe crossing places with traffic lights are kind of far apart. As a motorist, I wouldn’t relish the thought of stopping at even more traffic lights on 99, but maybe adding some crossing beacons – such as we now have on 40th Street – would be the ticket.
Much more complete information on ideas for Segment 2 and all the other segments is on SDOTs website.
“None of these proposed realignments appears to steal away any of the existing travel lanes from this busy thoroughfare.”
I realize the author is only talking about Segment 2 here, but this could be potentially very misleading to readers. Segments 3, 4 and 5 would lose literally half the vehicle capacity with every proposed option except for “maintain capacity.”
At a time when our city, and especially Aurora is growing, this is is insanity. What do the people pushing this nonsense think will happen to the traffic when we suddenly lose a lane in each direction on one of our north-south running highways? Actually, I’m sure they know what will happen. I just don’t think they care.
Gee, you are so right about the capacity loss at the other segments. Thanks for pointing this out. I’m going to edit my article.
Thank you.
“What do the people pushing this nonsense think will happen to the traffic when we suddenly lose a lane in each direction on one of our north-south running highways?”
We do in fact know:
‘The cars just disappeared’: What happened to the 90,000 cars a day the viaduct carried before it closed?
Originally published January 24, 2019
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/the-cars-just-disappeared-what-happened-to-the-90000-cars-a-day-the-viaduct-carried-before-it-closed/
Jack; I attended the Licton Springs open house and some things became evident. The corridor right of way (ROW) varies from 106′ to 90′. Places where the “Bike connection” or “..Center lane..” are on the 90″ ROW there IS constriction of capacity.
Be aware the “bike lanes” plan in discontinuous. It is not planned along Woodland Park (and I think through the Washelli area) , and does not cross the Aurora bridge. In any case there is a parallel bikeway from 155th to at least N 72nd that links with the Linden Bike lanes. This is a heavily used bikeway. Bike lanes on Aurora seem redundant.
The center running lanes got a big thumbs down on all sections by the participants of the Open house (I think the boards were from two open houses.). Questions as to how these center lanes would improve safety were unanswered.
Some questions about how and where one could make left turns if a median (planted or plain) were included which is especially disturbing for truck traffic supplying businesses along the corridor. Would trucks need to make 270 degree routes through the neighborhoods to reach a business on the other side of Aurora?
I really didn’t see any design improvements that would reduce mid-block pedestrians from crossing the highway. Which is a major safety issue especially North of Winona. In fact while on the way to the open house a jaywalker was crossing Aurora about 20 ft from the crosswalk weaving between the 5 PM traffic.
Highway 99 aka Aurora Ave. N is a unique traffic arterial as it is the only highway (major arterial) other than I-5 that goes through downtown and all the way North of Shoreline providing personal and mass transit as well as freight and emergency services to the corridor. I think SDOT would be well advised to consider carefully all capacity restrictions consequences.
Very interesting details, MauleGuy! Thank you.
Thanks for adding all this great information, MauleGuy. I should have had you write the article!