The Mercer West project involves widening the Mercer underpass at Aurora and turning both Mercer and Roy into two-way streets. Under the plan, Roy would likely become the preferred bicycle route, having bike lanes in each direction and hopefully a good, easy connection to a new bicycle facility under the Aurora overpass. Here’s a rendering from last year, looking west from Dexter:
The meeting is tonight (June 8) 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Rainier Room of the Seattle Center (northwest corner of Seattle Center near 1st Ave N and Republican).
From the project website:
The purpose of this Open House is to:
- View the preliminary plans and give us your feedback on:
- A wider Mercer Underpass at Aurora Ave N
- Converting Mercer St and Roy St from one-way to two-way
- Improved intersections, new street connections, and new bike lanes
- View and comment on project art concepts
- Learn about the recommendation for West Mercer Place improvements
Arboretum north entrance and multi-use trail
Assuming the 520 “off-ramps to nowhere” are removed amid construction of a new 520 bridge, the north entrance of the Arboretum could change dramatically. The Department of Parks and Recreation have funding to design a new north entrance and a new multi-use trail that would help connect to existing trails within the Arboretum.
The meeting is tonight (June 8) 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Graham Visitor Center (2300 Arboretum Drive E).
From the project website:
This project provides scoping and conceptual design for a redeveloped North Entry to Washington Park Arboretum and a multi-use trail from the intersection of East Madison to the North Entry and the Montlake and University neighborhoods beyond. The design will renew the sense of entry at the North end of the park assuming the demolition of the SR 520 ramps. The Consultant Selection Committee recommended that The Berger Partnership be hired to provide design services for the project. This phase of design is funded but, at this time there is no funding dedicated for construction.
It will be interesting to see how Roy turns out once it’s converted to multi-directional traffic again. I hope the picture listed above on Mercer actually turns out like it shows, the Aurora/Mercer crossing is one of less favorites in the city and I’d love to see it streamlined for both cyclists and motor vehicles.