Objection: A protected bike lane on NE 45th Street was not included in the original Bicycle Master Plan.
Rebuttal: In May 2021 the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan 2021-2024 Implementation Plan was updated to include the NE 45th crossing of I-5 as a planned project. The crossing is a critical connection for people biking and walking between these two areas for work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other daily needs or to access the new link station and its regional connections.
A new pedestrian and cyclist bridge at NE 47th over I-5 will cost many tens of millions of dollars and is entirely unplanned and not budgeted, and at least a decade away. We need a safe route as soon as possible. Even if a crossing at 47th is eventually added, pedestrians and cyclists will continue to use NE 45th over I-5 as it is the most direct connection between the Wallingford urban village, the U District urban center, UW campus, and light rail.