Construction of a new Department of Information Systems (DIS) building at Jefferson & 14th (the tunnel under the capitol campus that leads drivers to I-5) will incorporate a few improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. Most notably, the intersection will be converted into a roundabout with crossing "refuge" islands. These allow non-motorized travellers to cross each direction of traffic separately; it is much easier to get motorists attention in two chunks rather than all at once. True, currently there is a signal which gives pedestrians a designated time to cross, but that still requires motorists to stop for them and also, personally, I hate waiting for signals as a pedestrian. I'd rather make eye contact to help ensure drivers are stopping and then cross. As someone who often walks through both roundabouts as well as signalized intersections, I get through roundabouts a lot faster.
Cyclists will probably enjoy the extension of the I-5 Bike Path to this revamped intersection. Currently, the path is somewhat hidden and/or awkwardly ends in a cul-de-sac, depending on one's direction of travel. I know cyclists who have lived here years and still do not know how to find that path to head east on it. Once this project is completed, though, a prominent trail head will be at the intersection assisting folks in recognizing there is a path there. Being that it connects to other non-motorized trails in our region and connects to a major employment center, this is a good improvement.
An acrobat file of the plans can be found at: http://www.dis.wa.gov/commtg05212009.pdf
Currently, there is no further plan to better integrate non-motorized travel to and through the Capitol Campus, but rumor has it that there is a project to study that issue. More as it comes.
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- Larry Leveen
OlyBikes Locally-Owned Bike Shop
"Bikes, Parts, Repairs and GREAT Customer Service"
http://www.olybikes.com
Phone: 360-753-7525
(website features FREE bike safety & advocacy materials)
"Bikes, Parts, Repairs and GREAT Customer Service"
http://www.olybikes.com
Phone: 360-753-7525
(website features FREE bike safety & advocacy materials)
1 comment:
I am looking forward to that traffic circle at least although there's a whole lot of other stuff going on that will change the vicinity of that site one way or the other.
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