The city is currently developing a major, all-inclusive transportation plan they are calling the Seattle Transportation Plan. The plan covers “more than just roads,” according to the city’s online engagement tool. It also includes “sidewalks, bridges, stairways, transit, paths and trails, bike lanes, crosswalks, public spaces like street cafes and benches, and much more.”
The plan could supersede the Bicycle Master Plan, which passed in 2014 after years of development and public outreach. It will also form the basis for the next major city transportation funding measure to replace the Move Seattle Levy, which expires at the end of 2024. The scale of the unfunded needs identified during the Transportation Plan process will likely form the basis for Move Seattle’s replacement. So because we need our city to go big and bold on walking, biking and transit investments, we first need to make sure the Plan identifies these needs.
This is where you come in. You can go online right now and add comments to the city’s map of “challenges and opportunities.” Even if your idea is already there from someone else, add it again in your own voice. There are already hundreds of comments, and nearly all of them are about making streets safer or more welcoming to people walking or biking. Let’s keep that going. You can also leave a general comment if you don’t have particular spots to identify.
The city is also hosting a virtual meeting 6 p.m. June 21. Details:
Join us for a virtual meeting on June 21, 2022 at 6 pm!
This meeting will be an opportunity to share your ideas for the future of transportation in Seattle and to share your comments on the Environmental Impact Statement.
How to participate:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87467428442
Seattle has an incredible opportunity here to lead the nation in making transformative investments in walking, biking and transit. With a potential funding measure due up during a Presidential election year, the city could go really big with its dreams as the high voter turnout helps push the measure over the top. But they will need big, attractive goals to secure the votes needed, and this plan can set those goals.
Comments
7 responses to “Add your ideas for improvements to the Seattle Transportation Plan map”
“But they will need big, attractive goals to secure the votes needed … “
So the mayor and SDOT will dangle some shiny maps in front of us and can then proceed to steal the money for cars again, like they did with Move Seattle?
JB is right. The city reneged on most of the cycling promises they made in MOVE. There’s no reason to believe they won’t do it again. Not one nickel.
OK, reality check. The city has built a LOT of bike infrastructure using Move Seattle funds. This is coming from someone who has been very critical of the city’s cuts. But let’s not over-exaggerate. Do you remember what it was like to try to bike to and through downtown before 2016?!? We need both the funding AND a good mayor. But rejecting future funding outright because Jenny Durkan was a terrible mayor doesn’t make sense. We have to keep working toward the big goal: Lining up the funding and the leadership at the same time.
You think any mayor will really be able to stand up to the SDOT bureaucracy and the lobby for the car-dominated status quo when push comes to shove? We need a levy that is written strongly enough that they can’t weasel out of it at the eleventh hour. Otherwise not one nickel.
I do! But also, yes, a more airtight levy and plan is also part of it. I agree. You should write that as a comment!
Made several comments. They are all about missing crosswalks and most are fixable with nothing but paint. The problem is not money, but lack of political will. As long people can get through in a car, the politicians just don’t see the urgency to do anything.
Seriously? Whining about not getting more bike infrastructure when 30% of the city still lacks basic pedestrian infrastructure. I refuse to vote for anything that even mentions more bicycle anything at this point, until I can at least walk safely to the nearest bus stop.