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Planning staff proposes bicycle-master-plan amendments to link NSC/I‑90 corridor and Children of the Sun Trail
Summary
Planning staff discussed possible amendments to the city’s bicycle master plan to add a south-side pathway along I‑90 and to reflect Children of the Sun and Pacific Avenue pathway connections, prompted by National Scenic Corridor (NSC) and I‑90 design work now under way.
Planning staff briefed the Transportation Commission on potential bicycle master‑plan amendments to ensure the city network aligns with an evolving National Scenic Corridor (NSC) connection to Interstate 90 and the Children of the Sun Trail.
Colin Guinhurst of the planning department said WSDOT is designing I‑90/NSC connections that include a shared-use pathway on the north side of I‑90; planning staff propose adding a parallel shared-use pathway on the south side of I‑90 to the city bicycle map so local plans and the state design remain consistent. He outlined that the South‑Side alignment currently is a signed route with little physical separation and that a 10‑foot shared-use path would be a safer, clearer facility.
Staff also noted opportunities to add Pacific Avenue Phase 2 and the next phase of the Children of the Sun Trail—an extension south of Mission—to the bicycle map so the city plan reflects recent corridor-level decisions. Guinhurst said staff are consulting legal counsel about the appropriate amendment mechanism (annual comp‑plan amendment or other ordinance) and asked the commission for preliminary input before a formal application and public process.
Commissioners asked whether the Children of the Sun Trail would remain at grade or elevated in segments; staff described a hybrid approach that stays at grade where possible, ramps up to parallel elevated NSC structures in constrained places and then ramps down near Sprague. Staff said pathway elements will likely be phased separately from the NSC elevated structure due to budgeting and construction sequencing.
Staff asked for commission feedback on whether to proceed with an expedited amendment to the bicycle master plan to reflect these corridor connections.
