A letter from:

Allan Vann
Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project – Public Information Manager
SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program
Skanska USA Civil (Consultant)

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Dear Neighbors,

Starting as early as Monday, May 12, Skanska will close the Bill Dawson Trail from the east end of the new pedestrian tunnel under Montlake Boulevard to the Montlake Playfield for five years. The trail will reopen in 2030 with several bicycle and pedestrian improvements to the trail and surrounding area.

We need this long-term trail closure so crews can safely access the work site to construct new retaining walls and the new Portage Bay bridges. You can learn more about why we need this closure and what to expect in our Bill Dawson Trail Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Short-term closures in April and May

Before the long-term closure begins, we will have some shorter trail closures (lasting 1-3 days) in April and early May for tree and vegetation removal near the trail. We need to clear some of the trees and vegetation near the trail to make space for upcoming construction activities.

Signed detour routes

The map below shows the two signed detour routes that we’ll post in the Montlake neighborhood – one for people walking/rolling and the other for people biking. During the closure we will maintain access to the Montlake Playfield.

Note: In the State of Washington, bicyclists are allowed to ride on the sidewalk. Using the sidewalk is a great way for riders to separate themselves from vehicle traffic if they’re not comfortable riding on the road.

Why we need to close the trail

We need this long-term trail closure so crews can safely access the work site to construct new retaining walls and the new Portage Bay bridges. A portion of the trail will be filled with an embankment (soil wall) to support an access road connecting to the north work trestle. This access road will create a physical barrier that blocks the trail even when construction isn’t happening.

We expect hundreds of trucks to use this work access road to deliver concrete, reinforced steel, formwork and other materials. This work would pose a major safety risk for trail users moving through the work zone.

Bill Dawson Trail improvements

After the Portage Bay Project is complete, the trail between the west end of the new tunnel and the Montlake Playfield will be wider (from 8 feet to 14 feet) and flatter (the grade to be no steeper than 5%). We’ll also restore the westside connection from the Bill Dawson Trail to Montlake Boulevard near the NOAA property by adding new stairs and an ADA-compliant ramp on the west side of Montlake Boulevard.

In addition to the above improvements, we are adding:

• A raised six-foot-wide sidewalk – next to the 14-foot path – to separate walkers and bikers as they travel between the existing Montlake tunnel and the south side of the Portage Bay Bridge

• New lighting and more clearance under SR 520

• New landscaping and hardscaping (e.g., gravel, retaining walls, railings, etc.) features\

• A new ramp structure connecting the Bill Dawson Trail to the new SR 520 Trail extension across Portage Bay

How to stay informed about the trail closures

To stay informed about the trail closures and general construction activities, please:

• Keep an eye out for signage on and near the trail.

• Sign up for our weekly Rest of the West newsletter.

• Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website for closure notices.

• Attend our monthly construction update meetings.

• Call our 24-hour hotline at 206-319-4520 or email us at sr520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.

• View the Project Website

We understand this long-term closure is inconvenient, especially for frequent trail users like University of Washington students and staff, nearby residents and commuters. Thank you in advance for your patience while we complete these important safety and mobility improvements.