Seattle Area Traffic and Roads Thread - Page 13

mhays · August 10th, 2009, 03:19 AM

Here's the mother lode of information about various plans.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportatio...ercorridor.htm (Mercer)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Via...ls.htm#central (Main 99 page)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_060409.pdf (North Portal -- including what I described above)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_062409.pdf (South Portal of 99)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_6_2_09.pdf (Seawall)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...on_5_19_09.pdf (especially p 35+)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/southend.htm (underway)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR519/ (Royal Brougham)

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreet.htm

RMacherat · August 10th, 2009, 08:06 AM

Thanks m - terrific info.

BoulderGrad · August 10th, 2009, 08:06 AM

So we're vacating Battery street tunnel with this plan, correct?

CrazyAboutCities · August 10th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Mhays, thanks for the great information!

I am still unsure about waterfront promenade. After looking at these plans and it is seen like it will not have much of landscapes along Alaskan Way. What's about green spaces? I like to see some lawns, more landscapes and water features than just street trees. They should do something with that empty pier too.

mhays · August 10th, 2009, 08:43 PM

Yes, they need WAY more trees and greenery along Alaskan Way. But they haven't even started to design that yet -- it'll be a public topic for several years before anything is built, since they have to wait for viaduct demo.

Yes, the existing 99 tunnel goes away. I've heard they're thinking about potential uses, or might just backfill it. (storage? bike route? homeless shelter? haunted house?)

BoulderGrad · August 10th, 2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

Yes, the existing 99 tunnel goes away. I've heard they're thinking about potential uses, or might just backfill it. (storage? bike route? homeless shelter? haunted house?)

A new Seattle Underground tour?

Vashon118 · August 10th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Tunnel simulation.

CrazyAboutCities · August 10th, 2009, 10:41 PM

Great video!

I think Battery Tunnel should become museum that focus on Seattle history.

CityView Jim · August 11th, 2009, 03:37 AM

Its the perfect place for graffiti expression!! Please leave downtown buildings alone.

Vashon118 · August 11th, 2009, 03:53 AM

Alaskan Way (post viaduct)

pwalker · August 11th, 2009, 04:50 AM

I don't know if it was just me, but it took forever to load that video. But worth it, as it is a beautiful representation of what will eventually reclaim the waterfront.

Two comments: first, there is currently a lot of parking under the viaduct. Will any of this be replaced, and if not, then what? Where will visitors to the waterfront park?

Second, this is a utopic look at the future. There will likely be atleast ten years of messy construction before we get to this. Not saying it won't be worth it in the end, but just be prepared IMO.

sequoias · August 11th, 2009, 04:53 AM

The waterfront looks nice..but where's the streetcars?

sequoias · August 11th, 2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker

I don't know if it was just me, but it took forever to load that video. But worth it, as it is a beautiful representation of what will eventually reclaim the waterfront.

Two comments: first, there is currently a lot of parking under the viaduct. Will any of this be replaced, and if not, then what? Where will visitors to the waterfront park?

Second, this is a utopic look at the future. There will likely be atleast ten years of messy construction before we get to this. Not saying it won't be worth it in the end, but just be prepared IMO.

Two words: Streetcar and light rail. Visitors prefer to use trains over buses when visiting major cities.

Vashon118 · August 11th, 2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequoias

The waterfront looks nice..but where's the streetcars?

I was wondering about that myself. I didn't even see any streetcar tracks in that video.

mhays · August 11th, 2009, 07:43 AM

Parking under the viaduct will be replaced in a garage. The idea is to add that to someone else's mixed-use project. RFP next year if I recall.

BoulderGrad · August 11th, 2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vashon118

I was wondering about that myself. I didn't even see any streetcar tracks in that video.

Street car is planned for 1st ave.

Backstrom · August 11th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

Parking under the viaduct will be replaced in a garage. The idea is to add that to someone else's mixed-use project. RFP next year if I recall.

We really do not need any more parking downtown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vashon118

I was wondering about that myself. I didn't even see any streetcar tracks in that video.

The Waterfront Trolley won't be coming back.

mhays · August 11th, 2009, 10:10 PM

My guess is the parking is a political concession to waterfront businesses and institutions.

The Trolley could come back. The waterfront could easily be designed for it, and I believe the 99 team is planning with the assumption that it might return. They simply don't have definitive guidance from the City.

CrazyAboutCities · August 12th, 2009, 12:47 AM

The video shows that new Alaskan Way, its look too wide to me. It don't look very pedestrian-friendly street to me. I know it is only concept and it is not final design yet. I don't like 6 lanes street idea at all. I think it should be 4 lanes.

I hope new parking garage will be underground. We don't want to another ugly parking garages like the ones at World Trade Center.

BellevueGuy · August 12th, 2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

Yes, they need WAY more trees and greenery along Alaskan Way. But they haven't even started to design that yet -- it'll be a public topic for several years before anything is built, since they have to wait for viaduct demo.

Agree. A lot more public parks man!!

Just freaking go to Vancouver and copycat exactly what they've done.

August 10th, 2009, 08:06 AM	#243
BoulderGrad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,357 Likes (Received): 39	So we're vacating Battery street tunnel with this plan, correct? __________________ My shrink once said to me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone..."

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August 10th, 2009, 03:19 AM	#241
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,366 Likes (Received): 116	Here's the mother lode of information about various plans. http://www.seattle.gov/transportatio...ercorridor.htm (Mercer) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Via...ls.htm#central (Main 99 page) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_060409.pdf (North Portal -- including what I described above) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_062409.pdf (South Portal of 99) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...ion_6_2_09.pdf (Seawall) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres...on_5_19_09.pdf (especially p 35+) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/southend.htm (underway) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR519/ (Royal Brougham) http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreet.htm

August 10th, 2009, 08:06 AM	#242
RMacherat Buy used books Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,715 Likes (Received): 82	Thanks m - terrific info.

August 10th, 2009, 08:35 PM	#244
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	Mhays, thanks for the great information! I am still unsure about waterfront promenade. After looking at these plans and it is seen like it will not have much of landscapes along Alaskan Way. What's about green spaces? I like to see some lawns, more landscapes and water features than just street trees. They should do something with that empty pier too.

August 10th, 2009, 08:43 PM	#245
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,366 Likes (Received): 116	Yes, they need WAY more trees and greenery along Alaskan Way. But they haven't even started to design that yet -- it'll be a public topic for several years before anything is built, since they have to wait for viaduct demo. Yes, the existing 99 tunnel goes away. I've heard they're thinking about potential uses, or might just backfill it. (storage? bike route? homeless shelter? haunted house?)

August 10th, 2009, 09:29 PM	#247
Vashon118 Bus & ferry dude Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vashon Island Posts: 707 Likes (Received): 104	Tunnel simulation.

August 10th, 2009, 10:41 PM	#248
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	Great video! I think Battery Tunnel should become museum that focus on Seattle history.

August 11th, 2009, 03:37 AM	#249
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Its the perfect place for graffiti expression!! Please leave downtown buildings alone.

August 11th, 2009, 03:53 AM	#250
Vashon118 Bus & ferry dude Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vashon Island Posts: 707 Likes (Received): 104	Alaskan Way (post viaduct)

August 11th, 2009, 04:50 AM	#251
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	I don't know if it was just me, but it took forever to load that video. But worth it, as it is a beautiful representation of what will eventually reclaim the waterfront. Two comments: first, there is currently a lot of parking under the viaduct. Will any of this be replaced, and if not, then what? Where will visitors to the waterfront park? Second, this is a utopic look at the future. There will likely be atleast ten years of messy construction before we get to this. Not saying it won't be worth it in the end, but just be prepared IMO.

August 11th, 2009, 04:53 AM	#252
sequoias Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midwest US Posts: 1,601 Likes (Received): 0	The waterfront looks nice..but where's the streetcars?

August 11th, 2009, 07:43 AM	#255
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,366 Likes (Received): 116	Parking under the viaduct will be replaced in a garage. The idea is to add that to someone else's mixed-use project. RFP next year if I recall.

August 11th, 2009, 10:10 PM	#258
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,366 Likes (Received): 116	My guess is the parking is a political concession to waterfront businesses and institutions. The Trolley could come back. The waterfront could easily be designed for it, and I believe the 99 team is planning with the assumption that it might return. They simply don't have definitive guidance from the City.

August 12th, 2009, 12:47 AM	#259
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	The video shows that new Alaskan Way, its look too wide to me. It don't look very pedestrian-friendly street to me. I know it is only concept and it is not final design yet. I don't like 6 lanes street idea at all. I think it should be 4 lanes. I hope new parking garage will be underground. We don't want to another ugly parking garages like the ones at World Trade Center.