King County Superior Court Judge Jim Rogers was expected to issue his opinion on a lawsuit regarding the “Missing Link” last Friday, but the opinion was not issued. According to a recording on the court’s phone line, Judge Rogers’ court is in recess the entire week of April 5th, which means the earliest the opinion could be issued is next Monday. The lawsuit, which alleges that an environmental review conducted by the city to determine the impact of a completed trail did not take businesses into account. The suit was filed against the city by a coalition of Ballard industrial businesses, associations and the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.
No decision on ‘Missing Link’ this week
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This is ridiculous. If SOME decision is not made, how can we get on to the next phase of Righteously Indignation Counter Suits?
Just another week to continue the boycott of Ballard Chamber of Commerce members. Also another week of delay while bicyclists and pedestrians continue to be at risk of injury or death.
It's attitudes such as yours that are making me support Ballard Chamber of Commerce members even MORE. I'm ashamed that I ever was a bicyclist.
If only they would just move the route away from Shilshole Avenue. The trucks are smaller and the cars are fewer on Ballard Ave.
>I'm ashamed that I ever was a bicyclist.
Attitude You Don't Like != Mode Of Transportation
Are you ashamed to be a driver every time you see someone speed, not signal, not stop for an old lady at a crosswalk, honk, talk on a cell phone while driving, etc?
Ballard ave makes absolutely no sense.
it's a narrow road with historic buildings on both sides.
makes a LOT more sense to use the public right of way on leary instead of letting some buisinesses continue using it for free.
not to mention those forklifts wizzing around ballard ave which could maim you just the same–not safer at all.
Ballard Chamber of Commerce is there to support COMMERCE, not bicyclists. It's their job to support the businesses, some of which have been there over 100 years, not a relatively recent bike path. Why would you boycott a business that is doing exactly what it's supposed to do?
Do you think that just because the city comes through and puts in some paint on the road, bicyclists and pedestrians will magically be protected from injury or death? Of course not! The trucks and forklifts will still be there, the businesses will not go away. Per the city, those private businesses will be liable for any injuries or deaths that result from them operating their business as usual, but now with a bike path in the way.
How is that a safer, better option for anyone?
Anyone who travels along Shilshole Ave, be it by car, bike or foot, can plainly see that a trail would make travel safer for all users in both directions. All you have to do is compare the trails in other parts of the city. SDOT just finished a nice extension of the Ship Canal Trail on the Magnolia side and guess what, trucks cross that trail every day to get to Foss and many other businesses and there were no complaints.
It is time to get on with it and complete the BG trail.
I would like to know how that improvement compares to the one proposed on the Ballard side. My understanding is that the wants to put a pedestrian/bike path right across the front door of several businesses who run large, dangerous trucks in and out all day, and insists the businesses carry the full responsibility should something happen.
It seems to me it would be akin to the city creating a dangerous intersection with no control lights or signals, and then absolving themselves of any responsibility if an accident were to happen, it would be purely the drivers fault, or the businesses near by who brought customers to the area. Doesn't seem right to me.
I mean no offence to you in this reply, wildernessbarbie, however I suggest that you read the history of the “missing link” and view the suggested temporary route and the route that is intended to be the final route to complete the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Here is a link to the Cascade Bicycle Club’s page on the topic:
http://www.cascade.org/Advocacy/missing_link.cfm
And here is a link to SDOT’s page on the topic:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bgemap.htm
Your statement:
“My understanding is that the wants to put a pedestrian/bike path right across the front door of several businesses who run large, dangerous trucks in and out all day, and insists the businesses carry the full responsibility should something happen”
Is not necessarily true.
Are you are referring to the temporary placement of the trail along Ballard Avenue or the final trail along Shilshole between 17th and Vernon Place?
The temporary trail will be on Ballard Avenue, on the street and in traffic.
The latter will be on the south side of Shilshole Avenue and out of traffic.
Neither will be “across the front door “ of any business.
Currently cyclist ride along Shilshole with all the “large, dangerous trucks” every day and it is dangerous, both for cyclists and motorists.
Your last statement has no bearing on this situation whatever.
There are many multi-use trails and bike lanes all over the city and King County that have large vehicles sharing a crossing with bicycles and pedestrians and rarely are there any problems.
It is my opinion taken from years of bicycle riding and motor vehicle driving, including 10 years with a CDL, that the safest solution for the Shilshole Ave., Market St. situation is a trail separating bike and pedestrian from vehicular traffic.
Some comparisons that you asked for that I can think of are the one I mentioned at the Foss Tug Co. 660 West Ewing St., all of the Marine industries and many businesses (including the same dump trucks that serve Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel on Shilshole) that cross the current BK trail at any point between the Fred Meyer store and the Fremont. Also any of the side streets that cross the trail on the west side of Fremont all the way to the University District. All the way down Alaska Way and East Marginal Way there are trails and bike lanes that have large volumes of traffic that include semi truck and oversized loads. And the West Seattle trail between east Marginal Way and the lower bridge hundreds of trucks and bicyclist pass through there every day with no incidents. There are more trucks passing through there that we would ever see on Shilshole Ave!
The argument about insurance and job loss is completely bogus. If these drivers are professional and obey the rules of the road there will be no problem.
This trail has to be completed.
8 years later…….