The City announced yesterday its new Stay Healthy Streets program would be expanding today. The streets being pedestrianized are in Beacon Hill, Greenwood, the Rainier Valley, and an additional street in the Central District, which will bring the program’s total mileage to nine.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reported that car traffic has shrunk to a tenth of its normal volume while biking has tripled on the Central District’s 25th Avenue on its first Sunday of Stay Healthy streets treatment. Last Saturday, 25th Avenue was closed to through car traffic from Dearborn Street to Columbia Street. Today Columbia Street will also become a Stay Healthy Street from 12th Avenue to 29th Avenue, providing intersecting pedestrian thoroughfares through the Central District.
Early reports have also indicated that will the Stay Healthy Streets program has been popular, but it hasn’t led to crowding. This suggests that the program is serving its intended purpose to aid in social distancing while still encouraging exercise–a useful service when gyms are closed and recreational trails can be too crowded. This stands in contrast to the City’s extensive weekend park closures two weeks ago that hindered people looking for places to safely exercise or relax outdoors. With parks back open, the expanding Stay Healthy Streets program serves as a welcome alternative and safety valve for crowds.
