![Map of planned bicycle master plan projects for 2021 through 2024 edited to highlight the 8 paused projects.](https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/planned-map-edited-711x1024.png)
SDOT announced that eight neighborhood greenway projects previously scheduled for construction and/or planning have been put on pause because “inflation is affecting our large-scale project budgets more than initially expected,” according to the department. The Central District and Capitol Hill were hit the hardest by the pauses, though there are pauses in all districts other than 7.
We annotated the map above to help visualize the changes. The projects that formerly had solid lines are the biggest disappointment since those were supposed to have been funded through both design and construction by the end of 2024. The projects with dotted lines were only supposed to be funded through design.
The highest-profile project on the list is Phase 2 of the Central Ridge Greenway in the Central District and Capitol Hill. The good news is that the most important and difficult element of this route, a traffic signal at 18th and Madison, was completed as part of the RapidRide G project.
![top-down design diagram of the 18th and madison intersection with a new traffic signal.](https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/18-madison-750x542.png)
The projects had been included on SDOT’s 2021-24 Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Plan, a list of deliverable projects that the city created after reviewing the state of rising construction costs amid the peak of the COVID-19 response. The 2021 list also followed Mayor Jenny Durkan’s so-called “reset” of the Move Seattle Levy in 2019 that included a lot of cuts to the bike plan. The latest delays are pauses to projects that had already made it through several rounds of cuts.
Though SDOT did not cite the upcoming public vote on renewing the Seattle Transportation Levy, the department’s statement said, “We will have a clearer funding picture in late November when the City Council finalizes the City’s budget.” The passage or failure of the levy in early November will have a massive impact on those city budget decisions.
This somewhat awkward dance will probably happen throughout this year. SDOT cannot assume that the new levy will pass, so they may make decisions based on the current levy expiring without a replacement. Then if voters do approve a replacement levy, they can add things back and build out the new work plan.
More details on the pauses from SDOT:
(more…)