Seattle

The Burke-Gilman is no youngster, and this summer is witnessing a number of construction projects that will either improve or impact the lives of trail users siificantly. Here's a rugnndown on what's happening, starting from Shilshole Bay:

The new section of trail from the defunct Azteca restaurant is nice, and gets you off the narrow and broken concrete through the twisting section of the Locks. Once past the Lockspot Tavern, though, you still must ride for several blocks on Market Street until the intersection with 24th NW. The section of unimproved road around Salmon Bay is as it ever was, the railroad tracks still a hazard, and the truck traffic still a pain.

Once you hit the Ballard Fred Meyer, though, you're pretty much in the clear until Fremont. All BGT traffic is currently being diverted onto 34th from Sound Mind and Body until Speedy Reedy near the Fremont Dump. Crossing at the Fremont Bridge is actually a little easier and safer for the time being, as half of the bridge is torn apart and awaiting re-construction - this work is scheduled to continue for at least another year, so don't hold your breath waiting for the nice detour around the Adobe building.

It's business as usual on the Burke all the way through the U District and Sand Point. Watch for cops with radar guns on nice days in Lake Forest Park, too many public servants with too little crime to fight. There is a major re-paving project going on between Red Hook and 60 Acres Park at the moment, two layers of nice asphalt and improvements along the side of the trail as well.