Seattle's urban commuters are readying their bikes as the city moves forward with plans to bridge a critical connection in its cycling infrastructure. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has commenced the design phase for a new protected bike lane on Yesler Way, set to eliminate a 600-foot divide that has long stood between cyclists and a seamless ride through the downtown core to the waterfront.

Details provided by SDOT indicate that the protected lane is slated to bring a much-needed two-way path for bikers, scooter riders, and users of other mobility devices this will patch the current gap with a safe route accessible to all skill levels. The forthcoming path promises to link Downtown Seattle and the major ferry hub on the waterfront, fortifying a true regional network that has been segmentally growing over recent years.

The new lane, to be situated on Yesler Way’s north side, aims to facilitate bi-directional travel, nestled beside the robust bike lane framework of Pioneer Square. It earns its ‘protected’ status with the installation of precast concrete barriers designed to shelter cyclists from vehicular traffic, and in a move to minimize conflicts between modes of travel, SDOT will impose turning restrictions at key intersections, including prohibiting right turns from westbound Yesler to northbound 1st Ave S, and left turns from eastbound Yesler to northbound James Street.

The project will also necessitate some give-and-take with local parking arrangement, snipping away up to 10 spaces along Yesler Way's northern edge, however, replacing the lost spaces with relocated loading zones on nearby Post Ave, these changes aim to strike a balance between the needs of businesses and the vision of a bike-friendly Seattle. In association with the Office of the Waterfront's current project on pedestrian enhancements, the bike lane initiative is part of a broader effort to expand and improve the sidewalks and street infrastructure within the historic Pioneer Square area.