News Release

Greg Nickels, Mayor

Grace Crunican, Director

Contact: Rick Sheridan, 206.684.8540

July 28, 2009
For Immediate Release

SDOT Completes New Trail Segment

Bridging the Gap paves way to Genesee Park in time for Seafair
SEATTLE — Providing a safe route for Mount Baker residents to access city recreational facilities, the
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has completed the Bradford Street Connector. The first of
two Bridging the Gap trail segments for 2009, this new pathway creates a link between 42nd Avenue S
and 43rd Avenue S, and allows easy access to Genesee Park and Lake Washington Boulevard.

The new trail provides, just in time for Seafair festivities, an ADA accessible route to Genesee Park
from the surrounding neighborhood instead of a steep, root strewn footpath. (Pictures of the new
connector are available on the SDOT blog at http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/ ). Addressing the
neighborhood’s limited routes to nearby recreational facilities, the idea for the trail connection emerged
from the neighborhood planning process and is strongly supported by the local community.

In addition to the Bradford Street Connector, SDOT is constructing a trail near Magnuson Park. The
heavily used spur is part of the old railroad line that runs from the Burke-Gilman Trail along Sandpoint
Way and connects to the park just north of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
facility. The Magnuson Park Spur will be finished in August.

Thanks to Bridging the Gap, SDOT has completed new segments along the Duwamish Trail, the Chief
Sealth Trail and the Burke-Gilman Trail, and built the South Park Connector and the Detroit Street
Connector. By the end of 2009, Bridging the Gap will have funded more than 2.5 miles of new trail.

Bridging the Gap is the $365 million levy passed by Seattle voters in 2006. It enables much-needed
work by the Seattle Department of Transportation, such as roadway paving, sidewalk development and
repair, bridge maintenance, and tree planting. The levy also supports the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master
plans, enhanced transit connections and large Neighborhood Street Fund projects.

The Seattle Department of Transportation builds, maintains and operates Seattle's $12 billion
transportation infrastructure. To further Mayor Nickels’ goal to get Seattle moving, the department
manages short- and long-term investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees, that better connect
the city with the region.
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