On March 23, a woman reported being confronted by a stranger at Spokane Street and East Marginal Way, as she rode her bicycle along the trail under the West Seattle Bridge. While the City was already scheduled to address trash in this area next week, in light of this unfortunate and potentially dangerous encounter, we are stepping up the response.

Seattle City Light was notified in December 2016 that the lights were out along the viaduct near the bike trail. City Light was able to determine that the issue wasn’t as simple as replacing bulbs, but is related to the power supply and requires a completely re-engineered system. Additionally, during an inspection on Tuesday this week, City Light crews discovered the copper wires for the lighting system had been removed from a ground vault. Design work has begun to replace the system, but City Light’s progress has been delayed due to the encampment that has been established there, which has prevented engineers from fully accessing the area to design the system.

Next week, the City will begin to address this by removing the tent encampment along the northern bike trail under the Spokane Street Viaduct, beginning on March 29. The City’s Navigation Team will be there on Monday to begin connecting with individuals living in tents, offering services, alternative shelter and storage of belongings. Following those efforts, City crews will remove any trash left behind from the encampment. This work will require bike detours, so bicyclists should be prepared to dismount and walk their bikes in some areas.

Also beginning March 29, as had been planned, City crews will remove garbage all along Spokane Street from I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge. Please be aware there may be impacts to traffic as a truck will be doing rolling stops along the route to collect the trash. This work is will continue Thursday, March 30.

 

While the tent encampment at the north side of Spokane Street adjacent to the bike trail will be removed next week, the City is still working on a plan with those living in the unauthorized encampment and RV parking area underneath Spokane Street. Trash around that RV lot will be removed.