Many Queen Anne residents have dreamed of a pedestrian/bike overpass that would link them to Myrtle Edwards Park and the waterfront.  We’ve learned that bridge is one step closer to becoming reality several years after it was first proposed.

Proposed location of overpass

SDOT wants to build a bridge from the east side of Elliott/Western Avenues at Thomas Street all the way across the railroad tracks to Myrtle Edwards Park.  Just this week, a recommendation was made at the Puget Sound Regional Council to provide a $3.96 million grant for the overpass.  If the PSRC Executive Board approves it, that grant would represent the final funding for the $10 million project.  SDOT tells us they could start construction in the first quarter of 2011 and finish it one year later.

The city’s Department of Planning and Development also recently issued a ruling that found no serious environmental problems with the project, but there will be some conditions.  Several trees would be removed along W. Thomas Street and some streets in the immediate area would be reconfigured.  More than 70 people submitted comments about the proposed bridge and only three of them expressed concerns.

Between 12 and 5 p.m. today the Washington SeaGrant will be conducting a training exercise at the Elliott Bay Marina that may spark curiosity for a few in the neighborhood, according to Seattle Human Services Department Emergency Management Planner Thalia Syracopoulos.

Washington SeaGrant is holding a training event that will include flares, burn pan fires, divers in the water and other activities likely to be viewed by cruise ship passengers, waterfront visitors, plus the communities in the area of Elliott Bay Marina. It may also visible from the Seattle Municipal Tower.

According to Thalia, the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Harbor Patrol and the Coast Guard have been notified of the event. Thalia also reminds onlookers that the event is merely a training exercise and asks them not to call 911.

(Thanks to Julie for the tip!)

Apparently there were some pretty stunning fireworks over Elliott Bay at around 8 p.m. this evening. Reader Peggy Fitzgerald wrote,

Really nice fireworks show tonight over Elliott Bay! There’s some news on it from the West Seattle blog (since I had no idea why there was an amazing show tonight – they were really excellent)

According to the West Seattle Blog, Farmers Insurance celebrated its 100th anniversary with a party at the Space Needle and fireworks show off the waterfront tonight. Details here.

I missed the show myself. Did anyone else see it, or happen to catch a picture?

(Thanks to Peggy for the tip! Photo courtesy of Farmers. See more pictures of the fireworks at the Farmers Life Centennial Flickr page).

The Department of Planning and Development is asking for public comment on a project that would link the edge of Lower Queen Anne to the waterfront via a pedestrian and bicycle overpass. The proposed overpass would be 10 feet wide and 932 feet long, beginning on the western side of 3rd Ave W, crossing Elliott Ave W, continuing along W Thomas St to the Burlington Northern Railway, and then south down a ramp to Myrtle Edwards Park.

This photo, provided by DPD for illustrative purpose, depicts the general path the overpass would take. The public are asked to submit comments on this proposal, which will be accepted through Tuesday, March 9. For more information or to comment on the project, click here.

This project is being run through SDOT. I’m still waiting to hear back from them on the details of the project, and will post an update soon.

It’s that time of year again: This weekend Hempfest will take over three waterfront parks, bringing with it added traffic congestion for cars and bikes in the area. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Elliott Bay Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park, but set up and tear down for the event will restrict park access from at least Friday to Monday, but possibly longer.

According to the Hempfest website and Publicola, beginning this Friday, August 14, until Monday, August 17 bicyclists riding through Myrtle Edwards Park, a 1.25-mile stretch along the waterfront that is used as a commuting route for hundreds of cyclists every day, will be required to dismount and walk through the park.

However, another report released on the 6th says otherwise, and signs currently posted in the park instruct bikers to dismount as of 6 a.m. on August 11 until 8 p.m. on August 19.

Publicola reported yesterday that the city had originally asked cyclists to dismount at Myrtle Edwards from Tuesday, August 11 to next Wednesday, August 19 – what would have been a nine-day closure of the path, book-ending the two-day festival, so that vendors could safely set up for and tear down the event. However, after getting a big lobby push from bicyclists who use the popular path, the city decided to reduce the closure to just four days — Friday to set up, and Monday to tear down. We’re still digging to find out when the finalized restriction days are.

Until then, bicyclists and pedestrians who plan on using the path though the park anytime from now through next Wednesday should be aware of the restrictions and expect to see an increase in their commute time due to the huge crowds Hempfest draws. Our editor over at MagnoliaVoice was at the park yesterday and confirms that they are already setting up for the weekend event.

Hempfest, an annual event in Seattle held on the third weekend in August since 1991, is being held August 15-16 and will feature life music over five stages, a comedy stage, and a long list of noteable speakers on hemp and marijuana policy reform. Admission is free.