Olympia has scheduled overnight maintenance on Boulevard Road for Monday, July 29, to Thursday, August 1, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The project involves applying permanent road striping and pavement markings between Wheeler Avenue and the Union Avenue Pathway, immediately to the north and south of the Boulevard Avenue bridge over Interstate 5.
Motorists are advised to drive slowly and exercise caution in the area during these hours to ensure the safety of both workers and drivers.
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dallentbounds
The Union Street ramp has never been used on a regular basis since it was built. I have lived on Boulevard and 9th for over 35 years. The only people that might use it are riders that live in the Eastside neighborhood area. They have always entered Boulevard Road from 9th Street, and turned south to go down to the paved Woodland Trail that runs east and west. There are NO marked bike paths on Pacific Avenue going to Lacey, and it is NOT safe to ride in traffic on Pacific Avenue. The Union Street ramp is out of the way, and riders are usually looking for a shortcut if there is one.
I am over 80 now, and Boulevard and 9th Street can be troublesum for me because it means that I usually have to stop before crossing Boulevard to my home. My preferred route is to enter Boulevard Road from 7th and turn right so that I can survey traffic and chose the safest time to cross Boulevard and turn left onto 9th. I have used the newly finished Union Street ramp three times since it has been finished to test it. First, it better designed then the original. Second, it gives me choices without stopping while riding my bike. If cars are coming and are close enoigh that they won't/can't stop for a biker, I can either turn left or right into the bike lane and ride until it is safe to cross Boulevard. NOT stopping is important to me.
People that don't live in the Eastside neighborhood are using the Woodland Trail which starts at Eastside Street. Eastside neighborhood riders use the Boulevard entrance to the trail.
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