A ‘missing link’ of future Burke-Gilman Trail, found in Ballard

People are beginning to walk, run and roll on a future Burke-Gilman Trail segment in Ballard, following two decades of plans and disputes over where to build the so-called “missing link” of Seattle’s cross-city corridor. Curbs and asphalt were installed between the Ballard Locks and 24^th Avenue Northwest during a street-renovation project. But this strip can’t be outfitted as a trail with signs, markings and other features yet, because the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) remains tied up in court. The next trail phase along Shilshole Avenue Northwest, which passes industrial driveways, also remains on hold. Eventually SDOT intends to build trail all the way to Ballard Bridge, completing the 1.4-mile, $26.4 million corridor.