tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post1516520284271094070..comments2024-03-28T15:34:48.727-07:00Comments on Redmond Neighborhood Blog: LETTER: Redmond Central Connector is an important addition to Redmond's trail network Bob Yoderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17538345340147926309noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post-54453590698458174972016-05-28T14:12:10.616-07:002016-05-28T14:12:10.616-07:00Tom,
While it is enticing to embrace this new tra...Tom,<br /><br />While it is enticing to embrace this new trail, I have a slightly different opinion on this.<br /><br />You emphasis that it seems to be OK that the trail along Willows has numerous crossings with cars since it happens elsewhere as you mentioned. However, you never mentioned that today one can cycle/walk from Marymoor Park to Bothell without any interaction with automobiles. People get hurt when trails mix with cars. Just remember the lady that ended up in critical care when hit in Bellevue in March.<br /><br />You say "A faster, less crowded alternative ...". Let me remind you that there will be 9 street crossings, that's NINE, between 124th and the train bridge. How will you be able to go fast? Have you driven off of Willows onto 95th? As soon as you turn off Willows, you are on the trail.<br /><br />What is most puzzling about this project is why are the tax payers of Redmond spending $20 million dollars to build a state-of-the-art biking-hiking-walking trail alongside a busy street with numerous car crossings when the tax payers of Redmond also own (its public land) a trail alongside the Sammamish River. Why are we not investing in a really nice trail along the river? How does this make sense? The Sammamish River tail has not been improved in the 25 years that I have been using it, yet the population has doubled and with all the new residents within 5 minute walk, it is just jammed packed. Last year I witnessed 3 accidents and know of 2 others. It is more than just busy, it is dangerous.<br /><br />In addition, if you consider how jam packed 202 is (and it will be worse as 100's of new homes are going in) relief for commuters by widening Willows, now becomes much harder. Widening 202 is almost impossible as there is no setback on the new developments. A natural path to rout cars from 520 to Woodinville would be to Willows then 124th. Now everyone goes 202, it adds 15 – 20 minutes to an already slow commute. That translates to 50 – 70 hours a year (based on 200 working days). About a week and a half stuck in traffic. <br /><br />Brent Schmaltz<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333541746101317816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485581331425169493.post-44419151384845859632016-04-18T20:47:55.522-07:002016-04-18T20:47:55.522-07:00Thanks, Tom! I look forward to biking or hiking t...Thanks, Tom! I look forward to biking or hiking the new RCC trail extension, too.Bob Yoderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17538345340147926309noreply@blogger.com