Transportation

& Urban Planning

Westlake is a neighborhood just north of downtown Seattle, bordering the South Lake Union and Queen Anne neighborhoods with lake-front access. Set between major highway networks like Aurora Ave. (State Route 99) and the I-5 freeway, Westlake acts as a commuter gateway through the bustling heart of Seattle to the quieter suburbs north of Lake Union. But what about the residents of Westlake? What neighborhood transit options directly cater to its residents? While the transportation infrastructure of Westlake may seem to prioritize those who pass through it on a daily basis, locals DO enjoy accessible recreational trails, RapidRide and conventional bus lines, and bikeways that connect this small neighborhood to a hub of communities in its general vicinity.

Westlake Bikeway bridge underpass depicted; north Westlake and east Queen Anne neighborhood border (3).

IMG_4305 2.mov

Utilizing the Westlake bikeway with the all-electric Lime x Uber scooter, producing no tailpipe carbon emissions (3).

Westlake Bikeway

While the existing public transportation network--including the three major bus routes, the car-absent bikeway, and the loop trail suggest otherwise, the neighborhood of Westlake hasn't always planned around the direct benefit of its residents. In fact, the original commuter-centric design of the neighborhood has had a major impact on the approval and construction of many public amenities, an important example being the Westlake bikeway.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Westlake North Neighborhood Council (WNNC) were posed with an immediate concern from the commuter majority when proposing the project, the issue being the affects the bikeway would impose on the already scare parking on N Westlake Ave. The city and local government worked around this issue, "preserving 90% of the [existing] parking," with "bike ridership [doubling] as a result (1)." During our visit, we got to witness the day-to-day activity that the bikeway regularly supports, and we can conclude with confidence that the bikeway is a major asset to the direct and surrounding communities that it bridges.

Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Trail

Lake Union and its surrounding communities boast some of the best hotspots in the Seattle area. With the iconic Gas Works Park to the north, the South Lake Union tech hub to the named south, and the lake-fronts and harbors lining the shores of Eastlake and Westlake, the Lake Union region sees large amounts of commuters, visitors, and residents pass through it every day.

The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Trail supports the thriving vicinity with walkable access to "pocket parks and multi-use paths around Lake Union," providing an alternative and convenient mode of transportation to the car-default that we tend to see in Seattle (2). With connection to neighboring trails like the Burke-Gilman that span across the reach of Seattle, the Cheshiahud Lake Union Trail bridges Westlake to a greater Seattle in a way that car-centric development never could.

South end of the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop trail; Westlake and South Lake Union neighborhood border (3).

Lake Union map depicting the Cheshiahud Loop trail path (4).

Overall Assessment

In recent years, Westlake has put an emphasis on developing it's connectivity with its surrounding neighborhoods like Fremont and Belltown, as well as the city center in efforts to change its past standing as a drive-by junction. Limited by its 0.15 square mile area, Westlake has developed the parts of its shoreline into readily accessible recreational sites that support public bike-use, walking culture, and a broader sense of interconnectedness within the narrow strip that is this neighborhood. The RapidRide E Line and the 40/62 bus lines also service Westlake's three major roads: Aurora, Dexter, and N Westlake Ave. Though these routes run a mixed fleet of electric, hybrid, and diesel buses, Westlake and the city of Seattle's commitment to sustainable transit and transportation infrastructure are supported by the planned transition to an all-electric fleet by 2035. The bikeway and the loop trail are another two outstanding examples of the work the neighborhood has put into sustainable urban development and how shifting the focus away from a car-centric standard is proving to be an asset in bridging Westlake to its surrounding communities.

Sources:

“Westlake Protected Bike Lane - Transportation | Seattle.gov.” Seattle.gov, 2018, www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bike-program/protected-bike-lanes/westlake-protected-bike-lane.
“Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop.” Washington Trails Association, 2024, www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/chesiahud-lake-union-loop. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Images shot by Nikon DS90 camera and mobile devices
“Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop | Loud Thoughts.” Nomadicminds.org, 2022, www.nomadicminds.org/blogs/2013/06/cheshiahud-lake-union-loop/.

‌

Page updated

Report abuse