The Magnolia Community Club (MCC) is taking a strong stand against the proposed changes to Nickerson Street.  In a letter sent this week to the Mayor, city council and transportation department, president Randall Thomsen expressed opposition to the plan to reduce Nickerson from two lanes to one lane each direction. 

Thomsen said Nickerson is the primary route for Magnolia residents traveling to Fremont, Wallingford and the University district and that the route is already frequently congested.  He also stresses that Nickerson is the alternative to West Mercer Way to access the proposed bored tunnel that will replace the viaduct. 

Thomsen says when the viaduct comes down there will be a substantial increase in vehicles seeking access to I-5 and the tunnel by using Nickerson.  Even with four lanes, Nickerson will be congested.  With only two lanes, it will likely be overwhelmed.  Thomsen accuses the city of working at cross purposes.

Thomsen states that the changes to Nickerson are meant to improve safety for bicycles and pedestrians but the improvements will be marginal when weighed against the potential for congestion.  He also suggests that the bike route could be improved by connecting the Ship Canal trail to West Emerson and Fishermen’s Terminal. 

Earlier this month we reported that the city put the plans for Nickerson on hold after residents expressed many of the concerns listed above.

The Seattle Department of Transportation confirms our report from last week that plans to change Nickerson Street are being reevaluated.  Here is the official word in a message from project manager Eric M. Widstrand:

“Thank you for your interest in the Nickerson Street rechannelization project.  This project is currently on hold as we evaluate how Nickerson Street would interact with the roadway network, via a systems approach, taking into account the north portal of the bored tunnel.  We are coordinating with the Alaskan Way Viaduct project team to make sure that the overall mobility of the north end is taken into consideration before making a decision about Nickerson Street.  

 Our comment period is open until April 10th to give people time to comment about the project.  Once we have received all comments we will send out a response to questions received.  For more updates or to see a copy of the plans, please visit our website at: www.seattle.gov/transportation/nickerson.htm

 The city backed off after numerous concerns were voiced by residents.  The city originally proposed changing Nickerson from two lanes to one lane in each direction and adding bike lines. 

Here is what Nickerson looks like now:

And here are the changes the city proposed:

We will continue to monitor and let you know if and when any decisions are made.

The city wants to know what you think about the proposed changes to Nickerson Stree.  The Department of Transportation has extended the comment period to April 10th following a public open house for the project earlier this month.

The city wants to provide an opportunity for those who were not able to attend the open house or heard about the project too late to meet the original deadline.  Comments should be sent via email to walkandbike@seattle.gov or you can call (206) 684-7583. 

The proposed changes will include:
• One lane of motor vehicle traffic in each direction (currently there are two)
• New two-way center turn lane
• New westbound bicycle lane and sharrow markings in a wide eastbound lane
• New pedestrian median islands at several intersections

Our original posting about these changes generated a record number of responses.  Magnolia drivers expressed concern about traffic problems on this heavily traveled route. The city expects to have a response completed by April 24th.  For more project information or to see a copy of the plans click here.   

Over 85 people came to the city’s open house to learn more about the plans to change Nickerson Street. Approximately 19,300 vehicles travel that route each day.

Many drivers in attendance tonight were frustrated with the plan to remove one lane of traffic each way.  The changes will be on the corridor between the Ballard Bridge and W. Etruria Street.  A number of people challenged city engineers claims that reducing the number of lanes won’t increase traffic on Nickerson.  The city calls it ‘rechannelization’ and claims that it has worked on other streets.  They also say that the left turn lanes will increase efficiency.

The plan includes adding a bike lane westbound and a wider travel lane for bikes eastbound with shared lane markings (sharrows).  A number of bikers attended the meeting in support of the changes.

Drivers expressed frustration because they think there will be increased traffic back ups.  The city believes the changes, including a center turn lane and more crosswalks, will make the street safer.

Opponent Elizabeth Campbell says “Turning Nickerson into a bicycle friendly corridor inconveniences the majority of people who use a car to carry out their activities on this important transportation corridor.” 

She is also concerned that Nickerson is one of the alternatives the city expects Magnolia residents to use when the bored tunnel replaces the viaduct.  Her group opposes the tunnel.