Someone installed a ramp over the Missing Link gravel pit

| Posted

September 11, 2023

A wooden ramp with SDOT stenciled on it sits in a gravel pit leading to a bike lane under the Ballard Bridge. — Image from Stephen Mangum on Mastodon.

Seattle’s Department of Transportation created a new way to bike through the notoriously dangerous track-crossing section of the Ballard Missing Link: A ramp.

Though now that I look a little closer, I’m beginning to wonder if this really is an official piece of transportation infrastructure. Something about the font doesn’t seem quite right.

But is the ramp really that much more absurd than the gravel pits and sharp turns the city added earlier this year? The city is on the clock to complete phase two of the rail crossing project by the end of the year as part of a legal settlement. You may want to ride the BMX to work until then.

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About the author:

Tom Fucoloro is the Founder and Editor of Seattle Bike Blog. He is also the author of Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle from behind the Handlebars.

Tags:

ballard, bmx, missing link, sdot, stephen mangum

10 responses to “Someone installed a ramp over the Missing Link gravel pit”

Peri Hartman

September 11, 2023

While they’re at it, SDOT could add riding on rolling logs, lateral jumping, and navigating a rotating turntable. Who says biking isnt’ fun :)

Reply
Conrad

September 11, 2023

Did you just dare me to hit that on a lime bike?

Reply
1. citibike boyz
  
  September 12, 2023
  
  you should do yourself a favor and look up the citi bike boyz. you will not be disapointed.
  
  Reply
  1. PNWmtnBKR
    
    September 20, 2023
    
    FknA, thats for sharing your page. Kicks ass.
Simon

September 11, 2023

Siiiiiiick!

Reply
Ed

September 12, 2023

No way SDOT was behind this. It wasn’t partially built only to be redesigned and revised 4x by 4 different contractors!

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Bruce Nourish

September 12, 2023

Where’s the Environmental Impact Statement? I’m gonna sue.

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John Parejko

September 12, 2023

I’ve gotta go down there with my mountain bike and see if I can clear the bike lane from the ramp. Then maybe practice riding rails by riding a rail.

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Gary Anderson

September 12, 2023

If you can fill the track groove with gravel why not just fill it with concrete and call it good.

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Al Dimond

September 14, 2023

Bike infrastructure installed by legal process: might cause you to crash.

Bike infrastructure installed by illegal process: might cause you to crash, but at least it’s funny.

Reply