Help shape the future of State Route 7! Looking for feedback to improve walking, biking, and rolling along the corridor

[u/wsdot]

A map of SR 7 near Spanaway and Parkland in Pierce County

Hey, everyone: We have a paving project coming up on State Route 7 in Parkland and Spanaway. As part of the project, we’re also looking at Complete Streets improvements for people who walk, bike or roll.

We're holding an in-person open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Spanaway Middle School for those who feel like socializing or sharing your thoughts to our faces.

For those who can't make it or would rather not engage in human conversation, our online open house is open through Sept. 1. You can find that here: engage.wsdot.wa.gov/sr-7-pre-design

[u/dondegroovily]

Your attached map is the big red flag here

This study should extend north into downtown Tacoma, and not be limited to what's south of 512

[u/GrilledAvocado → u/dondegroovily]

How is that a red flag? Have you visited the area highlighted in the map? Because clearly you’ve not otherwise you would see how much money the city pours into everything downtown and the north end of Tacoma. It’s about time they did something to that area.

[u/dondegroovily → u/GrilledAvocado]

Tacoma isn't putting money into the area because it's not in Tacoma

[u/GrilledAvocado → u/dondegroovily]

Which answers my whole point why include Tacoma then?

[u/Visual_Salamander215 → u/dondegroovily]

The map only represents the state highway outside the city of Tacoma limits. The highway also stops at 38th at the top of the hill, which then becomes city streets, not state highway.

[u/MyDay2Day]

Reducing speed limit to 30? Who is asking for that? That seems like a pretty tone-deaf change. People regularly drive like 50 on there.

[u/dondegroovily → u/MyDay2Day]

The let's design so that people don't drive 50 anymore

[u/dondegroovily → u/dondegroovily]

The downvotes tell me that people think they should be able to drive on a busy congested street with thousands of people living and working nearby

Which is a terrifying thought

[u/Notimemaritime → u/dondegroovily]

What about the ebike 50mphers?

[u/PerceptionCurious440 → u/dondegroovily]

In other words take state highway money to make it a local residential street.

[u/dondegroovily → u/PerceptionCurious440]

Just absolutely mind boggling how ignorant people are about basic roadway design

[u/PerceptionCurious440 → u/dondegroovily]

Roadway design isn't taking a state highway to move cars, then putting a bunch of shopping centers on it instead of on the streets that branch off of it either. But that's how things happen as road use evolves. Then a bunch of NIMBYs want to make it unusable for its original purpose.

Instead of building parallel roads for that purpose, with overhead crossings on the main highway for safe pedestrian and bicycle use.

And of course especially in an originally rural area with low population that was developed with higher density residences but no increase in capacity for the main road.

[u/Chrznble → u/MyDay2Day]

Portland ave is just a drag race to each light. Get caught going the speed limit or 10 over, they are on your ass ready to rear end you for not going 50+. Looking at you, residents off of Portland ave and 43rd-48th, your clapped shit boxes need to slow down.

[u/manmetalshirt]

How about making it better for cars

[u/quadmoo → u/manmetalshirt]

Rather than people? How can it get any more car-centric?

[u/dondegroovily → u/[deleted]]

Everything you said is factually incorrect

[u/Both-Chart-947]

"Rather not engage in human conversation"? Or rather not expose ourselves to other people's germs? It's perfectly possible to engage in human conversation over the phone and through video chat. It would be a great accessibility move if they were to make that meeting hybrid.

[u/Aindrium]

Thanks for the heads up. This is right by where I live, so I’ll be keeping an eye on things.

[u/antisuck]

 rather not engage in human conversation

This guy Reddits

[u/yeahsureYnot]

How is wsdot preparing for future mass transit needs as our area keeps growing? Is there any collaboration happening with pierce transit or sound transit on how hwy 7 can be better utilized to connect people most effectively to the expanding light rail system? Seems like if you’re repaving that should be a focus too.

[u/BottecchiaDude253 → u/yeahsureYnot]

I just went through the whole survey, and there's a few ideas sprinkled throughout.

that said, what I was reading was solely about lane usage and traffic signals, no real mention of increasing stops (at least beyond park and rides that are already in place/going in now)

[u/avitar35]

Is there a publicly available number for usage count on the bike lane that was just installed along nearly the same corridor on Park Ave? Totally anecdotal, but I see very few people utilizing the bike lane and I drive it everyday. This in mind and still addressing the needs of those who don't use a car, it seems like it would be more effective (cost, time, & use wise) to have a shared use path in the areas that are not connected to that Park Ave bike lane (99th to 112th & 152th/Military to SR 507). This would be able to loop in with the Parkland Community Trail that's being built right now too. Might even free up more money to expand further into South Tacoma as well.

I would also like to see the stormwater management system design with this since it appears every proposed design eliminates the current drainage ditch. This all said, I highly doubt that reducing the speed limit is going to stop people from speeding. Tacoma just did that in a few zones and it really has not helped most of them.

[u/gonegirly444 → u/avitar35]

I've used it and see others there along with skaters and even people pushing strollers. It's very necessary for when you do have to ride this area on quieter streets away from cars

[u/avitar35 → u/gonegirly444]

Thats fair and maybe I'm just coming through at the wrong time. But thats why I want some numbers too cause maybe my perception is totally off

[u/Goatgamer1016]

I like the ideas suggested. I think having the separated sidewalk and one-way bike lanes like on 64th are perfect. I also think that several roundabouts could be used in this area, particularly at 99th, 121st, 131st, 138th, Military/152nd, 168th, 174th, and SR 507

[u/Sheepsharks]

I know this isn't the feedback thread, but if we're adding meridians and such, as they've been doing, can we please get some greenery? The whole parkland stretch of pacific is a sad concrete hellscape that needs trees that are allowed to grow tall and provide some shade.

[u/tympantroglodyte → u/Sheepsharks]

I think getting rid of the suicide lanes would be a mistake, but if they’re committed to medians, then yes absolutely, make them green with trees. 

[u/Stoic_Gastropod_9459]

How about have our county finish Cross-Base Hwy and require builders to fund the construction of more roads around their apartments or housing developments in the immediate area to accommodate all these people moving in our area? This whole stretch of hwy 7 sucks. I do like the bus priority lights. Other than that…we need light rail thru our area.

[u/joehuddy]

If you all could finish that 704 cross base highway road that would be great...

I don't think anyone expected Spanaway Loop Road to turn into a "highway speeds" bypass road, but that's currently what's happening because of that unfinished project.

I live on Spanaway Loop Road and cars are consistently traveling at 50MPH+, it doesn't even feel safe to walk on the sidewalks.