Construction Project Means Big Changes For Seattle Street

SEATTLE - Big changes are headed to one busy Seattle Street. Starting tomorrow the Seattle Department of Transportation will downsize four lanes of Nickerson Street to three to make way for new bike lanes and crosswalks. But, this City project has divided people who live and work along that stretch of road.

Grabbing a cup of "Joe" from his favorite coffee house has always been a breeze for Noel Renggli. But, the possibility of a congested Nickerson Street has given him the "jitters."

"Easily for the next 5 or next 10 years it's just gonna be a bigger, bigger, headache. Fewer lanes, more cars, and more bikes," said Renggli.

Tomorrow, SDOT starts work on a new plan for Nickerson Street. It reduces the road from four lanes to one lane each direction, with a center left turn lane and a pair of bike lanes.

Robert Bismuth with the Magnolia Community Club predicts a traffic nightmare from the project.

"Well, from the motorist's point of view it's going to cause a gridlock on this road between the Ballard Bridge and Fremont Bridge," said Bismuth.

But, Seattle City Traffic Engineer Eric Widstrand doesn't believe drivers will get stuck.

"We're also providing wider travel lanes which will be a benefit for freight uses in the corridor and buses using the corridor," said Widstrand.

Cyclists like Michael Hoodes says those new bike lanes will make things better for him.

"It's safety and it's convenience it's both of them. Anytime there's bike lanes is a convenience for me as a biker," said Hoodes.

Neighbors argue there's no need for bike lanes on Nickerson Street when there is a perfectly good path just 50 yards from it along the ship canal.

Cyclists disagree and say the path doesn't work because it ends before the Ballard Bridge so riding on the street is a better option.

Over at Thai Fusion manager Montida Lert says more bikers will mean more money for the restaurant.

"We're going to build a rack for the bikes, so it will be good for them to stop and eat," said Lert.

Part of the Nickerson Street project also includes adding three new crosswalks. It's something Christina Bollow with Seattle's Pedestrian Advisory Board says will keep people safe.

"A marked crosswalk is a real signal to drivers they need to be looking out for someone crossing the street," said Bollow.

It will take the City two months to repave and restripe Nickerson Street. Noel Renggli wonders if the project will mean he'll have to grab his coffee somewhere else from now on.

"It's gonna be a few years of the problem getting a lot worse before it actually gets better," said Renggli.

Nickerson Street isn't the only road that's getting a makeover in Seattle. The City is also looking at changing Dexter Avenue. Tomorrow Northgate residents will get to hear about similar plans for Northeast 125th Street between Roosevelt Way Northeast and 35th Avenue Northeast. An open house is scheduled from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Lake City Library.