January 25

Endangered: The Northgate pedestrian bridge at I-5

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Last week The Urbanist had this post: “Call To Action: Save the Northgate Pedestrian Bridge.”

It talks about the planned bridge over Interstate 5 to link North Seattle College and Licton Springs to the Northgate transit center and light rail hub.

When we last wrote about it, the projected cost was $20 million, paid by a variety of agencies, including Sound Transit.

Now The Urbanist reports:

The Northgate Pedestrian Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle oriented crossing of I-5 for the Northgate Link Station, is at risk of losing its funding in the summer. The Sound Transit Board placed an artificial time limit for the City of Seattle and Sound Transit to come up with a funding solution.

And it notes some of the benefits:

In recent years, new growth has been occurring at a rapid pace and transforming this area. Licton Springs also hosts North Seattle Community College, a number of office buildings, a hotel and some small retail. On the east side of this bridge lies the neighborhood of Maple Leaf, which also hosts mixed density, major retail outlets, library, and a community center. There is a significant draw between these two communities, and there ought to be a strong natural path for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel between them.

For more details, and to take action, follow the link.

The Urbanist also has a post on pedestrian improvements along Lake City Way Northeast, noting: “Lake City Way is an arterial street in northeast Seattle that has been chronically unsafe for all users. It’s also a State highway, so features beyond sidewalks and beg buttons for people walking are mostly an afterthought.”

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  1. Pitting the bridge against sidewalks is a lose-lose. Assuming that we will get 25 million in sidewalks just because we don’t get this bridge is a poor assumption. We should fight for both. We need better sidewalks AND better crossings of the freeway.

    92nd is a poor crossing for anyone who does not live right by 92nd, and even as it is it needs a better pedestrian access.

    110th is not slated for improvements that I am aware of (link please?) and even if it were, the biggest problem with that intersection is the interaction with cars entering and leaving the freeway. This is not something we can get around with just sidewalk improvements.

    The best part about this bridge is that it would give us a crossing that removes a lot of the risks of sharing the street with cars near a freeway interchange. Its also the most direct route from the center of Licton Springs to the train station and will enable more collage students to get two and from major bus lines with fewer transfers.

    I believe this bridge is critical in reconnecting the neighborhoods around this station for people who want to travel by foot power. I hope other folks who feel the same will join with us soon as we begin an effort to save this bridge.

    Stay tuned…

  2. NE Northgate way is NE 110th, NE 111th is north of Patty’s Eggnest, south of QFC.

    I believe Northgate Way is slated for improvements for pedestrian and bikes under I-5, so it won’t be such a dreary place. If I recall correctly, they will dig out the area behind the pillars. It will restrict access for the bums now using the underpass as housing.

    92nd isn’t too bad as is.

    The area east of I-5 needs sidewalks to help pedestrians access this new train station. If we only get one then NE 103rd between 5th NE and Roosevelt makes the most sense, does it not?

  3. I have walked from North Seattle Community College to the Northgate Transit Center, many times since living in this neighborhood. Yes, you have to go south and then go north; but it’s no big deal.

    In a city with so many projects and issues at hand, another bridge over the freeway is indeed a waste of money. If people are too lazy to use the NE 92nd Street overpass,
    accommodating that trait is just silly.

    Build a pedestrian bridge where it’s really needed: at NE Northgate Way and 8th Avenue NE. With the new building that’s planned, it will only get worse for those who really do get out and walk the neighborhood.

  4. What is wrong with the bridge at 92 or the underpass at 100th

    I’m guessing you’ve never walked from NSCC to Northgate Transit Center using either route.

    Is there an current underpass at 100th?

    Ecdoesit was referring to the underpass at 111th–which is better known by its name as Northgate Way

    How many miles of sidewalk would $25 million buy?

    Lots, but none that would help people living east of I-5 access the station.

  5. Is there an current underpass at 100th? I haven’t been able to find it.
    Or is it going to be put in when the light rail opens?

  6. So what is” an artificial time limit “? I don’t think it is unreasonable to set a time limit to come up with funding. Matter a fact it is probably illegal not to. Do supporters have a different timeline in mind? Just trying to keep it real. Whats plan B.

  7. Hat is wrong with the bridge at 92 or the underpass at 100th. Putting a pedestrian bringe halfway btwn those two doesn’t make a lot of financial sense

  8. The current estimate is up to $25 million, which is another 25% increase over the $20 million estimate from a couple of years ago

    The $20 figure came before any engineering work was done

    For that amount of money just get a bus to shuttle people back and forth.

    Is there something wrong with the 100 round trips that Metro runs daily?

  9. For that amount of money just get a bus to shuttle people back and forth.

    That should work for as long as the poorly built bridge would last if they built it.

  10. One additional challenging aspect to this project is that the cost estimate continues to increase, fairly dramatically. The current estimate is up to $25 million, which is another 25% increase over the $20 million estimate from a couple of years ago and more than double the original cost estimate.

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