I have a possible solution to the Missing Link [of the Burke-Gilman Trail].

When I lived in Los Angeles, I read quite a lot about it's history. Around 1912, somebody envisioned an elevated bicycle way between downtown Los Angles and nearby Pasadena, and the project proposed showed an artist's concept – a narrow wooden viaduct with bicyclists riding their bikes on it.

The then-powerful Pacific Electric Railway killed the idea because it would take away passengers.

Here there are similar elements. The Ballard Terminal Railway and surrounding businesses trying to kill [the Missing Link].

There is a simple solution, which is again an elevated bicycle viaduct, not made of wood this time but heavy plastic tubes suspended in the air by concrete posts and joining supports.

There are several routes this could be erected over.

From a photo I saw in a book about Ballard and the Ballard Locks in the Locks book store, there were once railway tracks on Market Street adjacent to the industries closer to the Locks area. So, choice one is to put up this elevated bicycle way in the middle of Market Street in part.

Choice two is along the wide meridian between the sidewalk and Market Street on the north side of the street created when the railway tracks were removed.

Choice three is adjacent to the Ballard Terminal Railway with more than 90 percent of the elevated structure off of the ground so as to allow vehicle traffic.

If the idea can be sold to the parties in question, the Missing Link problem will be solved.

Charles Forsher
Phinney