Local releases video about Ballard Bridge sidewalk dangers

Haley Woods, who is a co-owner of Peddler Brewing in Ballard, has sent a “video letter” to city leaders about the dangers faced by bikers and pedestrians on the Ballard Bridge.

Woods’ video comprises of information and visual demonstrations of the dangers faced by locals who choose to utilize the bridge as pedestrians. She documents a number of safety issues including:

• The narrow sidewalk (39 inches wide) and the small cement barrier with traffic (10.5 inches high).
• The dangers of walking with a child next to the small barrier.
• The difficulty of passing others while walking, on bikes and with a stroller.
• The limited space for wheelchairs.
• The lack of safety for bikers trying to merge into southbound traffic after travelling over the bridge.

During the video, Woods speaks about her own fears about biking across the bridge. After strong winds bumped her bike bag into a concrete post on the sidewall of the bridge, she was pushed over the small barrier and into the traffic lane.

“Luckily no cars were coming and I was able to get myself out of the lane before being hit,” says Woods in the video.

Unfortunately, cyclist Terry McMacken was not so lucky and was hit by a car when he fell into the traffic lane on the Ballard Bridge in 2007. McMacken lost an arm and, a year later, died from his injuries.

Woods presents multiple pieces of evidence in her video pointing to SDOT guidelines which mandate that sidewalks must be at least 5 feet wide. Check out some excerpts from SDOT’s website below:

Sidewalk width: Sidewalks shall be a minimum of 6 feet of unobstructed, linear sidewalk space that is free of street furniture, street trees, planters, and other vertical elements such as poles, fire hydrants and street furniture. Point obstructions such as poles and fire hydrants may encroach into the sidewalk area, but the sidewalk must have 5 feet clear width remaining.

Setback: A three foot distance between vertical objects on the sidewalk and travel lanes in the roadway is required to minimize conflicts with vehicle activity. Relocation of existing utilities may be required to meet clearance requirements.

In the video, Woods references the Ballard Bridge Sidewalk Widening Concept Study completed by SDOT in September last year. “There are solutions,” Woods says.

Woods also questions the safety of the hundreds of new residents set to move to Ballard over the next few years, some of whom will utilize the Ballard Bridge sidewalk. “What happens when all of those new residents in your urban plan move to Ballard?” asks Woods in the video.

Check out the complete video below:

“Now it’s your turn to get involved! Share you Ballard Bridge story and why you think the sidewalk should be improved,” says Woods.

Click here to access contact details for Mayor Murray and other city officials. (Once the link takes you to YouTube click on the “show more” tab under the video to access the contact details.)