Today a contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation began construction of the final segment of the Ship Canal Trail. This project, to be completed by the end of the year, will extend the trail westward along the south shore of the Ship Canal from 11th Avenue West to Emerson Street near Fisherman’s Terminal.
The first major element of work is to build a key retaining wall alongside the Nickerson/15th Avenue West Ramp, just west of and under the Ballard Bridge. This will require the full closure of the Nickerson/15th Avenue West Ramp to southbound 15th Avenue West beginning Monday, September 19, for up to one month. Detours will be as follows:
- General traffic will stay on West Nickerson Street to West Emerson Street heading east, to access southbound 15th Avenue West.
- Due to limited turning movements, large trucks will be detoured onto westbound West Emerson Street, south along Gilman Avenue West to 20th Avenue West, and then eastbound on West Dravus Street to 15th Avenue West.
Once this segment is complete, The Ship Canal Trail will connect the Elliott Bay Trail and the Interbay and Magnolia neighborhoods to bicycle routes at the Fremont Bridge, including the Interurban route on Fremont Avenue North, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and the Dexter Avenue route, and will make bike riding in the south canal area more comfortable for all levels of bicyclists.
This project is funded in part by the voter-supported Bridging the Gap Levy, passed in 2006. For additional project information please visit our web page at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/shipcanaltrail2.htm
For more information: LeAnne Nelson, (206) 684-3897
Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548
