It's shovels in the ground for the Georgetown to South Park Connection project, aimed at bridging the gap for cyclists, scooter-riders, and pedestrians between these two neighboring Seattle communities, which have been in urgent need of safer commuting pathways. The Seattle Department of Transportation announced the start of construction on a dedicated multi-use trail that promises to streamline and, more importantly, secure the trek for citizens on the move, irrespective of their transportation mode.
The initiative isn't just about laying down some pavement for wheels and feet; it's a comprehensive safety overhaul. In addition to the trail, Seattleites can expect to see a suite of protective features including, new bike markings, enhanced bike crossing points, and ADA-compliant curb ramps to name a few. These elements play into the bigger picture of city planning, fitting snuggly within the overarching goals of the Seattle Transportation Plan, an ambitious 20-year blueprint for how Seattleites will navigate their city in the future.
Hatched from a collaborative design process that actively involved those who would be affected most, community input has been instrumental in directing this project's trajectory. "During outreach in 2017 on the Georgetown Mobility Study, we heard the need for better connections between Georgetown and South Park," reads a quote from the Seattle Department of Transportation. And it did not stop there. The input was also gathered through partnerships, such as the one with Duwamish Valley Safe Streets, back in the summer of 2019, when around 400 partakers threw in their two cents to push the project forward.
Aligning with numerous master plans, from pedestrian to freight to transit, the connection seamlessly threads through the fabric of the city's long-term transport aspirations, addressing, as well, the previous "modal" master plans which now fall under the single, expansive Seattle Transportation Plan. The resolute groundwork, eased by some potent community endorsement captured in letters and feedback, including a video, developed by community members, casts a rich tapestry of inclusion and foresighted planning.
