The recent opening of the walk/bike bridge over SR 520 in Montlake marks a significant improvement for Seattle cyclists. Despite rainy conditions, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as captured by Best Side Cycling. The new bridge promises to streamline commutes and recreational rides for many, creating a crucial nexus in the Montlake area for bike traffic.
This new infrastructure piece connects seamlessly to the evolving network of bike routes in the area. Cyclists can now easily transition between the 520 Bridge Trail, the Bill Dawson Trail leading to Montlake Playfield, and the Shelby/Hamlin connection to the Montlake Bridge. For years, cyclists have navigated a maze of construction detours, but these connected sections now offer a much more user-friendly experience for various journeys in and around Montlake by bike.
However, users of the Bill Dawson Trail should note that this connection is scheduled to close in the spring. This closure is necessary to facilitate the next phase of the extensive 520 project across Portage Bay. While the long-term vision promises further enhancements, some immediate concerns have been raised regarding the current design, specifically around accessibility from different points in Montlake.
Concerns Regarding West Montlake Boulevard Access and the Bill Dawson Trail
A primary concern voiced by regular users, particularly those working at NOAA and others accessing the west side of Montlake Boulevard, is the altered access to the Bill Dawson Trail. Previously, a direct connection existed. Now, individuals on the west sidewalk of Montlake Boulevard are required to cross the significantly widened boulevard and then utilize the new trail tunnel to access the Bill Dawson Trail.
While the east-side access point undoubtedly represents a considerable improvement for the majority of cyclists, this change presents a notable inconvenience for those accustomed to the west-side connection. The absence of a direct link from the west side is somewhat surprising, especially considering the boulevard’s width and the lack of continuous crosswalks from Hamlin Street to Lake Washington Boulevard, creating a barrier for pedestrian and bike crossings.
South Terminus Connectivity Issues for Montlake Bike Riders
Another significant point of feedback concerns the southern end of the new bridge. While the bridge itself provides an excellent freeway crossing, it doesn’t directly link to the Arboretum, a popular destination for many Montlake Bike riders. Instead, the bridge terminates at a flashing beacon crosswalk at the intersection of Lake Washington Boulevard and E Roanoke Street.
From this point, cyclists intending to reach the Arboretum must navigate an indirect route. This involves joining the Lake Washington Loop bike route at 25th Ave E and then utilizing the historic stone bridge at E Lynn Street to access the Arboretum Trail, located on the west sidewalk of Lake Washington Boulevard.
Although this detour is manageable for those familiar with the area, it’s likely to cause confusion for many users who might naturally assume a direct connection to the Arboretum given the bridge’s proximity. The long-delayed development of the 22-acre North Entrance Project into a park, initially intended to address this connectivity, remains unfunded and years away from realization. Despite being identified as a known issue in the environmental review documents for the Montlake section of the SR 520 project, progress on this park and direct trail link has been minimal.
A potential interim solution would be for the city or state to construct a temporary trail connecting the bridge to the Arboretum. Given the prolonged timeline for the full park development and the anticipated public interest in this green space expansion, a temporary trail could serve as a valuable immediate improvement for Montlake bike access. While the comprehensive park plan deserves careful consideration and is not to be rushed, the need for a direct trail connection is pressing and could significantly enhance the usability of the new Montlake bike bridge for Arboretum visitors.
