The last 1.5 miles of the Burke-Gilman Trail
It’s the last mile before you reach home. As you near the end you know you are so close to reaching your destination, your goal, something you’ve worked toward for years. You know that feeling when you are almost there — so close you can taste it!
After a decades-long journey, we need your input to determine how the 1.5 miles of the Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link will be completed.
Now is the time to show up and speak up for the route to make the Burke-Gilman Trail safe, simple and connected.
The Burke-Gilman Trail must be:
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Safe for people of all ages who walk, pedal or roll on the trail
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Simple to navigate, with the fewest intersections
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Connected from Golden Gardens to the regional trail network
With the lens of safe, simple and connected, here is a cheat sheet to help you understand how each alternative measures up.
Please note: this cheat sheet is not meant to be a complete analysis of the routes; for that information please see the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Route |
Simple |
Safe |
Connected Trail Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shilshole South Alternative |
Most direct route with the fewest turns People would cross four intersections |
41 driveways / load zone crossings Best sightlines for driveways Improved safety for all trail users |
Shortest distance at 1.38 miles Maintains the integrity of trail experience |
| Shilshole North Alternative |
Requires several turns, including a left onto NW Market Street People would cross 14 intersections |
58 driveways / load zone crossings Challenging sightlines on some driveways Improved safety for all trail users |
1.48 miles Most similar to the route currently travelled by people bicycling |
| Ballard Avenue Alternative |
Requires the most turns and jogs of all routes People would cross 16 intersections Interuppted access during the Ballard Farmers Market |
42 driveways / load zone crossings Crowded pedestrian environment could result in trail conflicts between people bicycling and people walking |
Longest route at 1.65 miles Does not provide the trail experience Adjacent to local businesses on Ballard Avenue |
| Leary Alternative |
Requires several left turns across arterial streets People would cross 13 intersections with greater wait times at arterials |
33 driveways / load zone crossings Both Leary Avenue NW and NW Market Street are arterial streets with higher traffic and truck volumes Could reduce sidewalks by up to 12 feet on NW Market Street |
1.54 miles Does not provide trail experience Could negatively impact transit service |
Say you’ll join us at the open houses on Thursday, July 14 or Saturday, July 16 to speak up for a trail that is safe, simple and connected.
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