South End Connection Mobility Improvements

2nd Ave Ext S - S Main St - 5th Ave S

January 31, 2020

Project Map

Program Overview

The Center City Bike Network launched in 2015 and developed a network map of better bike streets that separate vulnerable users from traffic, provide safe all-ages and abilities facilities, and maintain transit priority downtown. This network was the product of extensive community engagement, which continued through the One Center City program to make sure any improvements to the bike network were well coordinated and complimentary to the greater transportation network for people walking, driving, taking transit, and delivering goods.

We've made a commitment to build this network of separated bike facilities to make biking a reliable travel choice and calm traffic as more people compete for limited street space. A complete bike network improves Seattle's health and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.

These protected bike lanes, paving, channelization changes, and signal upgrades in the center city improve safety for everyone and connect thecritical missing segments of the center city bike network.

We've already built critical projects that have given Seattle large segments of a basic downtown network, including 2nd Ave, the west end of Pike St and Pine St, and 7th Ave. These go on to connect to additional, built connections like the Westlake Cycle Track, Broadway, and Dearborn St. 

We completed the following projects in 2019:

• 9th Ave N Mobility Improvements
• 8th Ave Mobility Improvements
• Pike St Mobility Improvements
• S King St Neighborhood Greenway

Each of these projects included targeted communications and outreach to affected and nearby stakeholders and communities. More detail on each individual project can be found on their respective websites at the links above. The Department of Neighborhoods is partnering with the Department of Transportation to provide greater outreach and community engagement.

Protected Bike Lanes

Protected bike lane projects typically include new bike lane markings, plastic posts, signs, and bike signals. Please note that the S King St project is a neighborhood greenway. 

Since protected bike lanes were installed on 2nd Ave, crashes are down and bike ridership is up.

In general, protected bike lanes separate people biking from moving car, bus, and truck traffic so they make the street safer, predictable, and comfortable for everyone. Cities around the world are increasingly embracing protected bike lanes that separate people on bikes from people in cars by using physical barriers such as posts, parked cars or simple landscaping.

Seattle's center city network of protected bike lanes aims to:

• Improve safety and predictability by separating all modes of travel
• Expand connectivity throughout downtown and the rest of Seattle as our city continues to grow
• Boost business by offering more travel options for getting to them
• Promote physical activity and increase ridership
• Provide affordable travel options
• Maintain transit priority on Seattle streets

Parking

Some parking changes accompanied the street redesign and new lanes. Our goal was to work with all adjacent building and business owners to understand parking needs and maintain on-street loading zones are on most blocks. Access to alleys, off-street parking garages, and loading bays was maintained.

Funding

This project is funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Learn more about the levy at www.seattle.gov/LevytoMoveSeattle.