About the AF

Events & Programs

Plant Sales

Membership

Give to the AF

Volunteer

Arboretum Shop

Bulletin

What's New

Washington Park Arboretum

Media

Pacific Connections

Resources

Please Help Us Protect the Arboretum from

Increased Traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard!

Make your voice heard!

Contact the Seattle City Council and/or the State Legislature to urge them to only approve SR 520 bridge design options that remove vehicle ramps in the Arboretum and minimize traffic on historic Lake Washington Boulevard. SR 520-related traffic should be moved to 23rd Avenue—the four-lane city arterial—where it belongs.

Late afternoon traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard

at the north end of the Arboretum

Background

Over the past four years, several design options have been discussed for the SR 520 bridge replacement project. All of the most recent options, including Option A+, contain elements that will have negative impacts on the Arboretum.

On December 8, 2009, the SR 520 Legislative Workgroup (a group of legislators and transportation officials) voted to present their Draft Recommendations Report, including the minority statement, to the Washington State Legislature. The Legislative Workgroup recommends the adoption of the A+ option as the preferred alternative for the Westside design. The workgroup’s final report is due to the Legislature and Gov. Gregoire by January 1, 2010. The Legislature may make a final decision on the Westside design option during the upcoming session.

The City of Seattle has not yet made a recommendation on any options, but the City Council adopted a resolution several years ago calling for a number of other measures to improve the SR 520 corridor. These include reducing lane widths, recommendations for noise reduction and the addition of lids, and emphasizing excellence in design. The Seattle City Council is currently developing its Westside options recommendations.

The Arboretum Foundation has not taken a position supporting or opposing any options. Instead, the Arboretum Foundation Board has adopted a set of principles focused on protecting the Arboretum from potential damage created by the SR520 expansion. Whatever option is finally chosen, The Arboretum Foundation wants: (1) no ramps in the Arboretum, (2) the highway across Foster Island to be as narrow as possible, and (3) the amount of traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard to be decreased, not increased. The motion passed at the Board Meeting on December 16, 2009, specifically states: “the Arboretum Foundation strongly believes that the options do not address the guiding principles recently adopted by the Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee (ABGC) and that transportation decisions are being made in total disregard of the value of open space in favor of traffic.”

The Arboretum's primary advocacy message

Remove the ramps in the Arboretum and minimize traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard by moving it to 23rd Avenue E, the four-lane city arterial where it belongs.

Why traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard is unacceptable

1. Lake Washington Boulevard (LWB) was not designed to be a city arterial; it is an historic Olmsted boulevard. In order to preserve its historic character, LWB does not have sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, or the lighting that would protect our park visitors in a commuter corridor. The boulevard was designed for 4,000 trips per day, yet 20,000 + vehicles are projected to travel on this boulevard each day after construction of the bridge is completed. The use of LWB as an on ramp to SR520 harms everyone’s experience of the Arboretum.

2. Pedestrian and bicycle safety is a major concern. The use of LWB as a long on-and-off ramp to SR520 changes the volume and the character of the traffic. Commuters usually exceed the speed limit of 25 mph. This combination of high volume, high speed, and narrow roadway with no shoulders is a threat to bicyclists and pedestrian visitors. What would be a great link in Seattle’s expanding bicycle network is severely compromised by the high volume and speed of traffic.

3. Incessant traffic noise impairs the quiet enjoyment of the Arboretum for all. Respite is a primary public benefit of urban parks. Furthermore, the Arboretum is an important educational and research facility for the University of Washington. The roar of traffic on the boulevard not only makes it difficult for University students to hear their professors, but also impacts the experience of the thousands of school children who come each year to learn about trees and the environment.

4. Heavy traffic creates exhaust fumes that pollute the air in the Arboretum and harm its world-class plant collections. The Japanese Garden, located adjacent to the Boulevard, is heavily impacted by the noise and pollution coming from the road.

5. Traffic causes water pollution as well. As a historic Olmsted-designed roadway, Lake Washington Boulevard was not designed with modern storm water drainage and treatment. Due to the overuse of the Boulevard by commuters, polluted storm water drains into Arboretum Creek creating serious environmental contamination to the creek and wetlands on the shore of Lake Washington.

ABGC Guiding Principles supported by the Arboretum Foundation
The proposed SR 520 project in and around the Washington Park Arboretum should:

1. Enhance the Washington Park Arboretum through the design, construction, and operation of SR 520 and the SR 520 I-5 to Medina Bridge Replacement and HOV Project;

2. Avoid harm to the Washington Park Arboretum and its collections;

3. Respect the historical, aesthetic, and design integrity of the Park;

4. Fully compensate the Arboretum for loss of property and function if harm is unavoidable;

5. Reduce traffic on Lake Washington Boulevard below levels that exist today on the boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and East Madison Street; and,

6. Preserve and restore the Arboretum as an accessible place of quiet and respite.

More Information

For more details, email Arboretum Foundation Executive Director Paige Miller or call her at 206-325-4510.

Posted December 31, 2009