HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial 2013-07-30 Index 4D.ii - Transportation Element - Walk and Roll PlanWalk and Roll
...For those who like
to walk and bike
Guaranteed to be sustainable &
minimize carbon emissions
Funds made available for this Plan through
Washington State Department of Community,
Trade and Economic Development
Acknowledgments
Tukwila
The Walk and Roll Plan is the result of a multi -year effort that involved residents of the
City who bike to work, and who like to bike and walk for fun, fitness and travel.
The City would also like to thank the Washington State Department Community Trade
and Economic Development for its generous grant of funds, which helped staff in their
efforts to create this Plan.
Tukwila Mayor
Jim Haggerton
Tukwila City Council
Joe Duffle
Verna Griffin
Joan Hernandez
Kathy Hougardy
Pam Linder
De'Sean Quinn
Dennis Robertson
Tukwila Planning Commission
Bill Arthur
Margaret Bratcher
Allan Ekberg
George Malina
Henry Marvin
Chuck Parrish
Lynn Peterson
Tukwila Parks Commission
Brooke Alford
Jeff Griffin
Scott Kruize
Joanne McManus
Alice Russell
Tukwila City Staff
Jack Pace
Moira Carr Bradshaw
Jaimie Reavis
Stacy MacGregor
Jim Morrow
Bob Giberson
Pat Brodin
Bruce Fletcher
Rick Still
Tukwila School District
Jan Lande
Chris Grimm
Cascade Bicycle Club
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Feet First
Cities of Renton, SeaTac, Kent & Seattle
Foster High School Environmental Club
Additional copies of this document are available online at:
Ilittpliwww,giLlswi Ia.wa.usIdcd /walkandroll.html
For questions about the Walk and Roll Plan, please contact the following:
City of Tukwila - Department of Community Development
6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite 100
Tukwila, Washington 98188
Phone: 206- 431 -3670 Fax: 206- 431 -3665
City of Tukwila's
Non Motorized Plan Walk and Roll
...For those who like
to walk and bike
Wola
Adopted
January 20, 2009
(Ordinance 2222)
Walk and Roll Plan Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 3
Existing Conditions 3
Recommended Actions. 4
Purpose and Contents of the Plan 6
Introduction 7
Vision 7
Purpose and scope of plan 7
Existing Conditions 9
Setting 9
Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities 11
Maintenance 17
Past Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Expenditures 17
Encouragement and Education Programs 17
Recommended Actions 19
Adoption of Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Designs 19
Designation & Adoption of "Bicycle Friendly Routes" 19
Continue construction of Neighborhood Links 20
More than the minimum for pedestrian safety 21
Railbanking for the future 21
Promotion of and Participation in Biking and Walking Programs 22
Creation of a Dedicated CIP Fund for Projects in the Walk & Roll Plan 23
Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Designs 25
Purpose 25
Hierarchy 26
Bicycle Designs — Bike Lanes and Wide Curb Lanes 29
Multi -Use Designs — Trails and Paved Shoulders 31
Pedestrian Designs — Separated and Attached Sidewalks 39
Projects 55
Bike Lanes 55
Paved Multi -Use Trails 77
Unpaved Multi -Use Trails 85
Sidewalks 87
Performance Goals & Measures 91
January 2009 1
Nonmotorized Transportation Plan
Index: Tables, Appendices and Maps
Tables
Table 1: Numbered Walking Trails 12
Table 2: Arterials with No Sidewalks 14
Table 3: Streets Missing Sidewalks within % Mile of Schools 16
Table 4: Recommended Bike Lanes 55
Table 5: Recommended Paved Multi -Use Trails 77
Table 6: Recommended Unpaved Multi -Use Trails 85
Table 7: Performance Goals and Measures 91
Table 8: Characteristics of Casual and Experienced Bicyclists B -2
Table 9: Characteristics of Recreational and Utilitarian Trips B -2
Table 10: Tukwila 6th Graders days spent walking or bicycling B -8
Table 11: Tukwila 6th Graders Helmet Wearing Patterns B -9
Table 12: Requested Bike Lane Locations D -1
Table 14: Requested Multi -Use Trails D -4
Table 15: Requested Sidewalk Locations D -5
Table 16: Security Concerns D -8
Table 17: Planned Improvements from CIP D -9
Appendices
A. Implementation, Priorities and Funding
B. Needs Analysis
C. Planning and Policy Context
D. Requested Project Improvement Details
E. Surveys and Summaries
F. Glossary
G. Bibliography
Maps
Figure 1 Tukwila Neighborhoods and Topography
Figure 2 Existing and Planned Pedestrian and Bike Facilities
Figure 3 Speed Limit and Street Functional Classifications
Figure 4 Sidewalks, Trails, & Streets Surrounding Schools
Figure 5 Bicycle Friendly Routes
Figure 6 Walkability Map (Using Existing Blocks)
Figure 7 Cascade View Neighborhood
Figure 8 McMicken Neighborhood
Figure 9 Riverton & Foster Neighborhoods
Figure 10 Ryan Hill, Allentown & Duwamish Neighborhoods
Figure 11 Thorndyke Neighborhood
Figure 12 Tukwila Hill & Foster Point Neighborhoods
Figure 13 Southcenter
Figure 14 Manufacturing Industrial Center & Potential North Annexation Area
Figure 15 Tukwila South & Potential South Annexation Area
Figure 16 Pedestrian Conditions
Figure 17 Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Locations 2002 -2006
Figure 18 Survey Responses: Requested Bicycle Improvements
Figure 19 Survey Responses: Requested Pedestrian Improvements
2 City of Tukwila
Walk and Roll Executive Summary
Executive Summary
We are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of leaving our cars behind
both for our health and that of the planet. The Walk and Roll Plan is Tukwila's
first pedestrian and bicycle planning document. It provides a way to ensure that
all Tukwila residents can know the joy of wandering through our community using
trails and sidewalks, and can experience the sense of accomplishment and
freedom that comes from being able to walk or bike to school, to work, to the
store and the library.
Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan is the city's overall "blueprint." The
Comprehensive Plan calls for identifying "bicycle friendly" streets and creating
improvements that will allow trips both in the community and outside the city to
jobs or other destinations. The Walk and Roll Plan is created to carry out the
goals of the Comprehensive Plan. It expands the idea of transportation from
simply keeping cars and trucks moving to the idea that Tukwila's streets ought to
be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair
user, bus rider or shopkeeper, shopper or employee. This "complete streets"
perspective will ensure that Tukwila residents and visitors can get around as
freely as possible with a range of both motorized and nonmotorized choices.
Existing Conditions
Tukwila is at the crossroads of major state and federal highways, as well as the
Green River. These thoroughfares not only link Tukwila to other cities throughout
the Puget Sound, but also separate it from itself, cutting off neighborhoods within
the city from one another. There are few ways for cyclists to cross the barriers
that 1 -5, 1 -405, SR -518, and the Green River pose. Tukwila's topography
provides additional challenges due to steep valley walls and hills.
Despite these challenges, Tukwila has potential for a successful connected
pedestrian and bicycle system. Many shopping and employment opportunities
are concentrated in Tukwila, and there is a good recreation system. There is
increased interest both locally and nationally in building socially and physically fit
communities, as well as in reducing greenhouse gases.
Current infrastructure and programs can support future efforts to benefit cyclists
and pedestrians. Tukwila's existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities include the
following:
• Bike lanes on both sides S 144th Street (from Military Rd to Tukwila
International Blvd) and on the west side of Macadam Rd S (south of S
150th Street).
• Wide curb lanes on Tukwila International Boulevard.
• Paved shoulders providing walkways on streets in areas that have been
annexed to Tukwila.
January 2009 3
Nonmotorized Transportation Plan
• 10 miles of paved trails.
• 2 miles of unpaved trails.
• 57 miles of sidewalks throughout the city, with varying widths and
locations in relation to activity centers.
• Bike racks on King County Metro buses, which provide space for two
bicycles on each bus.
• Bike racks in cars on the Sounder Commuter Rail and LINK Light Rail
System (provided by Sound Transit).
• Bike racks and bike lockers at transit centers, including the Tukwila Park
& Ride, the Sounder Commuter Rail Station, and the LINK Light Rail
Station.
The facilities listed above form the basis for a future connected system for both
cyclists and pedestrians. Maintenance of these facilities is split between the
Parks and Recreation Department, the Public Works Department, and private
property owners.
Existing programs that support biking and walking in Tukwila include the
following:
• A low -cost bike helmet program — The Tukwila Fire Department provides
reduced cost bike helmets to Tukwila residents to encourage safe riding.
The Fire Department must do a fitting for those receiving helmets through
this program, to ensure they fit properly.
• Safe Rider Citations — The Tukwila Fire Department awards these
citations to children who are caught wearing bicycle helmets while riding
their bikes.
• Bicycle rodeos held each year at area schools. The Tukwila Police
Department provides support by teaching safety rules for bicycles.
To encourage bicycling and walking in Tukwila, these programs should form the
basis for continued support, and increased involvement by City staff and
community members.
Recommended Actions:
The Plan contains seven broad recommendations that will make a difference for
bicyclists and pedestrians.
1) Adoption of Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Designs
Currently few City standards guide pedestrian improvements, and no
guidance exists for developing bicycle infrastructure. Citywide standards
should be developed and adopted to ensure that future bicycle and
pedestrian improvements are consistent, and the entire system functions
in a coordinated way when complete.
2) Designation and adoption of "Bicycle Friendly Routes"
4 City of Tukwila
Walk and Roll Executive Summary
A network that connects the majority of Tukwila's parks, schools, major
employers, transportation centers, neighboring cities, and other activity
centers is shown in the Plan. (Figure 5)
3) Continue Construction of Neighborhood Links
Increasing the number of safe "through connections" makes walking from
place to place easier and encourages people to walk more. At present,
Tukwila has many large blocks that cause longer than necessary trips for
pedestrians and prevent connections to walkable destinations (see Figure
6). The Plan identifies additional walking trails or connections that could
be developed on unimproved rights -of -way and utility easements to
provide important connections in residential neighborhoods, as well as the
Tukwila Urban Center and the Manufacturing Industrial Center. (Figures 7-
13)
4) More than the minimum for pedestrian safety
In order to make a walking trip feel safe and comfortable, City standards
should be changed to improve pedestrian facilities along arterial
roadways. This includes requiring additional landscaping buffers on
streets with speeds over 30 miles /hour, and changing the design of
driveway aprons.
5) Railbanking for the future
Acquiring and using abandoned rail spurs for future trails in the Tukwila
Urban Center and the Manufacturing Industrial Center will provide critical
links for the system. Additional connections will increase the liveliness of
the Urban Center and promote development. Redeveloping tracks along
E. Marginal Way in the Manufacturing and Industrial Center could provide
additional rights -of -way to build bike lanes, and to fill gaps in the sidewalk
grid.
6) Promotion of and Participation in Biking and Walking Programs
Tukwila currently implements portions of a good program, such as
requiring bicycle racks with new commercial development. Additional
resources could be focused on expanding the offerings, such as
promoting bike rodeos, Safe Routes to School programs, and Bike to
Work Day.
7) Identify and fund Walk and Roll projects in the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP)
Currently, bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects occur as
components of larger improvement projects. For example, the Cascade
View storm drainage project included construction of separated sidewalks
and curb ramps along many of the streets in the neighborhood. Other
ways that nonmotorized improvements are made are through street
improvements required at the time of development, or through street
January 2009 5
Nonmotorized Transportation Plan
improvement projects funded through the CIP. Transferring this Plan's
recommendations into the CIP highlights the outstanding needs for
nonmotorized facilities and isolates project opportunities for potential grant
funding.
Purpose and Contents of the Plan
The purpose of the Draft Walk and Roll Plan is to provide the opportunity for
public review of the walking and bicycling environment in the City. The goal of
public review is to reach a consensus about the types and locations of facilities
that will be constructed in the future to complete the transportation network for
bicycles and pedestrians. Once the public review process for the Walk and Roll
Plan is completed, a final plan will be used as the basis for construction of new
bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and for implementation of encouragement and
education programs.
The Walk and Roll Plan is organized into the following sections:
• Introduction - The vision, purpose, and scope of the Walk and Roll Plan.
• Existing Conditions - A review of past facility expenditures, existing
facilities, maintenance practices, and encouragement and education
programs in Tukwila for bicycles and pedestrians is included in this
section.
• Recommended Actions - A description of the seven recommended
actions to make Tukwila more bicycle- and pedestrian- friendly.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Designs - A set of bicycle and
pedestrian infrastructure designs for use in construction of new bicycle
and pedestrian facilities.
• Projects - A list of projects, including locations for new bike lanes, multi-
use trails, and sidewalks are in this section and form the basis of the
nonmotorized Capital Improvement Progarm (CIP).
• Performance Goals and Measurements - A description of performance
goals and measurements, for use during implementation of the Walk and
Roll Plan to gauge progress toward meeting the goals.
• Appendices - A set of appendices contains various background
information that was used to develop the plan, including community survey
results, references, and regional plans.
6 City of Tukwila
Walk and Roll Introduction
Introduction
What do e want?
Vision
To be able to wander throughout our City on trails and neighborhood sidewalks is a
great joy. To be able to walk to school, work, store and library is a great
accomplishment. This is what makes Tukwila a great city. Children and seniors as well
as all adults are given the opportunity to move and do for themselves in a region and
nation where it is not always possible.
Purpose and scope of plan
The purpose of this Plan is to show where and what should be done to make this type of
community a reality. This vision of freedom, choice and opportunity is important for the
following reasons.
1. Providing for pedestrians and cyclists is the equitable way to serve all members
of the community. Implementation of the vision will provide alternative facilities
for those who don't have access to a vehicle, for those who choose not to use an
automobile, and for those who can't operate a vehicle.
2. Providing a complete nonmotorized system is an environmentally sustainable
transportation system that allows individuals to choose a way to minimize their
personal impact on air, surface water and land.
3. Providing opportunities to incorporate healthful choices into everyday activities is
critical for individual and public health.
4. This vision will create an extraordinary recreational system. Personal freedom
and choice are paramount but there is also the need to provide a system for the
number one recreational activity in America — walking.
Tukwila has good beginnings. Good regional trails, the Green River and Interurban
Trails run north and south through the City, and unpaved trails and sidewalks exist
throughout the Tukwila Hill neighborhood. This Plan shows where this existing system is
incomplete and how it can be expanded and enhanced.
Travel by bicycle is listed as "nonmotorized transportation" within the City's
Comprehensive Plan. Little community attention has been paid to this transportation
option and more needs to be accomplished in order to support this viable means of
getting around. Specifically, the Comprehensive Plan says that Tukwila will identify
bicycle friendly streets and create improvements for regional trips, such as to a job in
another city, and neighborhood trips, such as to school or the library.
This Plan expands the concept of transportation from that of keeping cars and trucks
moving to looking at transportation from a diversity of perspectives. This concept is often
referred to as "complete streets." How can the City maximize mobility for all people who
live here and transit through here? City streets are by far the largest public area within
January 2009 7
Nonmotorized Transportation Plan
the community. They are the public spaces that serve the most people. This Plan
provides greater detail on where and what type of nonmotorized facilities should be a
part of Tukwila's infrastructure. The City's Comprehensive Plan discusses bike friendly
streets; this document shows where they should be located and how to ensure they are
compatible for cyclists as well as the other uses of the right -of -way. This plan also
identifies areas where there are gaps in the system of walkways along City streets, and
recommends a method to prioritize which sidewalks should be built first.
Community goals have continually been in place to expand the existing system of trails
and make a connected network of open and recreational space. The existing local
system of trails along unimproved rights -of -way is one of the characteristics that make
Tukwila unique among communities within the region. This Plan looks at how to expand
the current system city -wide, fill in the missing pieces and connect them together so that
people can walk further and get to popular destinations. Tukwila is a relatively small city
of eight square miles. The Tukwila segments of the regional trails that extend north -
south through the Duwamish /Green River Valley have been built. Expanding and
supplementing this existing system within and through the city is considered and
addressed here. The City's Comprehensive Plans have consistently stated that this
system of paths or trails should be expanded with better east/west connections. This
Plan zeros in on what corridors and /or where specifically these missing paths should be
installed and optional construction /funding mechanisms.
Two potential annexation areas, identified within the City's Comprehensive Plan, are
included in the scope of this Plan. Because their future is to be urban in accordance with
the Growth Management Act, the infrastructure standards of Tukwila should be
considered and applied to these areas.
8 City of Tukwila