Thirty-five people including local and state elected officials gathered Friday at Edmonds’ Mathay Ballinger Park to learn about and advance efforts to close a gap in the Interurban Trail that is severed by SR 104 in Shoreline.
This is an infrastructure gap that affects all residents of Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood and the region, and closing it will improve biking and walking for everyone,” said David Urbina of Cascade Bicycle Club.
According to a Leafline announcement, the group walked a quarter-mile section of former rail line corridor that trail supporters and elected officials hope to convert into a paved segment of the Interurban Trail. The grassy right of way currently dead ends at a steep, bramble-covered slope that leads up to SR 104.
The walk was an opportunity to see the topography and familiarize the community with the options for closing the gap and connecting the severed segments of the trail. Alternatives being considered include a bike and pedestrian bridge over SR 104, although a design study will be commissioned to determine the most feasible alternatives.
Those who want to learn more and see a map of the gap can go to www.interurbangap.org.
Attendees included 21st District State Sen. Marko Liias of Edmonds, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a supporter of trails and bike infrastructure statewide; Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell; Lynnwood City Councilmember Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember Rory Paine-Donovan.
The event was organized by the Leafline Trails Coalition, a partnership of government agencies, nonprofits, trail mangers, businesses including REI, community groups, bike advocates including Cascade Bicycle Club and other parties working to connect the 450 miles of biking and walking trails in the central Puget Sound Region. The goal is to form a connected regional network that would enable more people to bike and walk for sustainability, health, transportation and recreation, organizers said.
Learn more about Leafline at leaflinetrailscoalition.wordpress.com.
Please don’t count me in the “all” category. I am not against something at some point. But this in no way will ever benefit me but I can guarantee it will cost me in taxes. We must pay way to much in taxes because it seems spending outrageous amounts of money on the few, seems to be the flavor of the day. I know no one is listening but you know what would really benefit everyone, “all” is lower taxes.
Come on, Jim. You can’t take all your money to the Pearly Gate. Have some fun. Join a bike club. Heaven may be full of cyclists for all we know. However, I must admit that I have some friends who would find that more like hell than heaven.
Michael with my 14 thousand from SS and about 4 thousand a year I can spend in savings I doubt I will be living it up or taking my fortune with me to the pearly gates the way it is going with taxes in this state I might not even be able to remain in pearly Edmonds. Maybe the best thing to do is get a bike and get run over by a bus then at least my kids will get a few bucks from the settlement
With the MLT station just a mile from this area, it is incredible that municipalities rather see people driving, clogging roads with loud cars spewing toxic gases, than ride a 30 pound bike to reach the 4 billion dollar extension. I noticed Edmonds is also repaving streets that were perfectly usable for another decade even as the major keeps saying we’re near bankrupt…In suppose we’re only bankrupt outside the downtown which continues to see all the spending while everyone else gets the tax bill with nothing to show for.
Mike Molly is my friend and I can assure him me riding a bicycle at my age would be a sure fire sooner than desired trip to my final reward (or more likely final punishment). That said, the Interurban Trail is a great public benefit that actually does deserve having some of our tax money spent on it. When I was young and did own a bike, my wife and I spent many happy hours on the Interurban trail with our little Nephews wondering why Uncle Clint’s skinny tire 10 speed bike was so much faster than their fat tire direct drive little mountain bikes.
It seems reasonable to use existing technology to create data and understanding of how much our bike lane infrastructure is in use. For example, If we had transparent data showing us the utilization of the 9th/100th ave bike lane, we would be able to apply more objective and less aspirational thinking in the future.
https://www.smartsensrsolutions.com/smart-people-cyclists-counting/#:~:text=The%20PeCo%20SmartCounting%20uses%20heat,passage%20direction%20to%20be%20determined.
What is transparent data? I understand false data, inaccurate and irrelevant data. Is it data that is masking more important data? I have heard of organizations not being transparent with their data.
Then there is the term “aspirational thinking” that you mention, Matthew. I suggest aspire means trying to achieve something positive, important or significant in the future. This, I believe, is exactly what the government bureaucrats and politicians are trying to do with our tax dollars. They want to make the use of public transportation, as well as non-fossil fueled vehicles more attractive and accessible. The benefits to our society in terms of lower pollution, less alteration of climate and healthier lifestyles would be enormous. The delivery on this aspiration is only in the beginning phase. To judge its success by ridership on 9th/100th Ave would be extremely premature.
In addition who says bikes have to have only two wheels? They can be electrically assisted. I have seen grandmas and grandpas riding some form to do their grocery shopping. The trail in question here is also good for walking. Why not take a bus to a trailhead and walk for a bit? You might meet some interesting people.
Finally, Jim, I sympathize with your financial situation. There is no reason why the wealthy are paying so little as a percentage of their income.