Bike Lane Proposal for St. Helens
We thought you might be interested to know that after the city council meeting regarding the St. Helens LID where the Lonergan Amendment entered our vernacular, the city has put together a proposal that addresses the concerns of bicyclists… but not really. The proposal has the bike lane on the west side of the street – the left side as you go up the hill. It uses the street and the sidewalk. It forces cyclists to cross the street before heading uphill against traffic. Tacoma is already a very difficult city to maneuver on a bicycle. In all of our discussions and reading on sustainable cities, new urbanism, smart growth, buzzword etc, I don’t think we… nevermind. It’s still just a proposal.
Ummm. wow.
Link to the drawing of the proposed solution (pdf)
Previously on Exit133
6 comments
T Tacoma (A)roma July 10, 2008
Man I love these Imagine Tacoma posts…I wish they were official plans instead of our dreams.
N NSHDscott July 10, 2008
Very true regarding the poor access to the Foss, especially the north end to which you’re proposing this new connection. The drawing looks beautiful and is a great idea. I also like that it provides a pedestrian bridge over Stadium Way. (There’s a crosswalk there now that must be the most-ignored crosswalk in the whole city by drivers. Especially with the 505 Broadway construction right there, it’s quite dangerous to cross.)
Now, any thoughts what this bridge might cost? Could it be done for a million?
N NSHDscott July 10, 2008
I couldn’t agree more, TA. What can we masses do to convert these dreams to plans? I’m politically unconnected and really have no clue, but I don’t think there’s been a single Imagine Tacoma that I didn’t drool over.
N Nick July 10, 2008
Yes, can we please just make all of David Boe’s “Imagine Tacoma” posts a master plan for downtown Tacoma? Just tell me where to sign!
M Michael July 14, 2008
I really love the idea of more pedestrian connections to the waterfront, and i like this bridge in particular because the cable-stay design makes good reference to the mast and rigging of a tall ship, but i don’t like how it abruptly ends… i would like to see it maybe connect to the walkable green roof of and unbuilt office building, or spiral down meet the ground. I like the overall idea, but im not a big fan of it ending in an elevator shaft.
J jdub July 14, 2008
Is BNSF getting the green light and separating from Amtrak, which appearently is going through S. Tacoma?
I like the cables of the design, it mirrors the 21st st bridge, but don’t like the elevator stop either, but what to do about that ending?
Trying to direct people to Foss from Stadium is a nightmare. And what was the plan for the urban path right of way agreement, now you can’t get to the water from from 15th St? I figured out how to do that after 5 years in town.
The best path (without stroller) was the Murray Morgan bridge, but, oh well, stronger minds prevailed on that one. Bet the port was happy, lots of cigars that day, eh?