TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID An urban design review of ’s SR-520 Replacement project

Walking on Montlake Blvd 1

7 Connect Lid to East Montlake Park Bicycling on Montlake Blvd 2

6 Rethink East Montlake Lid Improve Regional Path Underpass 5

3 Unsafe Underbridge Area Unsafe Underbridge Area 4

Build Portage Bay Bridge Trail 9 10

8 Connect to Neighborhood Greenways

Using drawings from WSDOT’s 2012 Community Design Process, this document highlights failures and opportunities to connect the Montlake Lid with neighborhoods, parks, light rail and UW. TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 1 -- WALKING ON MONTLAKE BLVD

Westside Eastside Westside Eastside Vehicular Lanes to Lanes to Lanes to Lanes to Capacity Cross: Cross: Cross: Cross: Increase: 6 5 7 8 50%

The pedestrian environment of Montlake Blvd is 1 Lane 2 Lane X-Walk X-Walk already poor.

Bigger 1 Lane intersections, X-Walk 2 Lane X-Walk more lanes to cross 2 Lane & increased traffic X-Walk will make walking even more difficult.

4 Lane Encourage walking 1 Lane 4 Lane X-Walk X-Walk X-Walk by providing safe, direct & traffic- 5 Lane separated routes 4 Lane X-Walk X-Walk

EXISTING MONTLAKE BLVD PROPOSED MONTLAKE BLVD TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 2 -- BICYCLING ON MONTLAKE BLVD

Mixing pedestrians & Larger intersections Consider cycle tracks or bicycles on sidewalks create more conflicts for other traffic-separated creates conflicts. bicycles in traffic. routes for bicycles

Vehicular Capacity Increase: 50%

HOV Lanes create Additional conflicts between Intersection bikes & buses

9 Lane Blvd

6 Lane Blvd Expanded Intersection Traffic Signal

EXISTING MONTLAKE BLVD PROPOSED MONTLAKE BLVD TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 3 -- EAST MONTLAKE UNDERBRIDGE AREA

Underbridge areas Use lids to make safe, are low, dark & direct and above-bridge potentially dangerous trail connections

280 Feet 10 Feet

65 Feet Day

Existing East Shoreline Proposed East Shoreline (No Underbridge Access) with Underbridge Trail Evening TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 4 -- WEST MONTLAKE UNDERBRDGE AREA

Underbridge areas Use lids to make safe, are low, dark & direct and above-bridge potentially dangerous trail connections

170 Feet 85 Feet

Existing Bill Dawson Trail Proposed Bill Dawson Trail

Day Evening Evening TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 5 -- RETHINK REGIONAL PATH UNDERPASS

Fast moving bikes will conflict with pedestrians

Blind stair landing Bicycles U-turn next to tunnel across traffic entrance.

Narrow tunnel will feel Widen tunnel to create unsafe after dark. separate paths for bikes & pedestrians.

Consider overpass option to increase safety TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 6 -- RETHINK EAST MONTLAKE LID

Connect lid to stormwater park Poor connection: (see next page). Pedestrians and bicyclists must cross ramp traffic.

Consider ways to naturally ventilate tunnel & remove O&M facility.

Create multiple smaller lids Traffic lanes discourage Open space will feel for better access to park space. isolated and unsafe. connectivity. TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 7 -- CONNECT LID TO EAST MONTLAKE PARK

40’ Connect lid to High stormwater park Wall

Provide safe & direct connection Out of Reflects over the freeway. scale noise Integrate Dark Creates stormwater pond shadows barrier and regional path into a sloping lid wall. TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 8 -- CONNECT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS FOR SAFE & DIRECT PASSAGE OVER 520

Greenway ends without...... a safe, direct and traffic separated path over 520. Existing bicycle route to become freeway access road.

Existing Lake Bicycle Route

YES! Connect with Arobretum North Entry Trail. TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 9 -- BUILD A PORTAGE BAY BRIDGE REGIONAL TRAIL

SR-520 Regional Trail (under construction)

Portage Bay Bridge Trail would connect regional greenways & neighborhoods. Easy climb up Capitol Hill encourages We are not adding a bike walking & biking. lane to a freeway, we are adding freeway to a bike lane. Connects UW, Capitol Hill & South urban centers.

Seattle Bike Master Plan - 2012 Draft TOWARD A CONNECTED MONTLAKE LID -- 10 -- CONNECT PORTAGE BAY BRIDGE TRAIL TO MONTLAKE BLVD

...with arduous climb up to Montlake Blvd.

Trail descends to underbridge area...

Montlake Blvd northbound

Montlake Blvd southbound

Connect Portage Bay Bridge Trail to...... ...Local Streets