Mapping Fun: Where Seattle Has No Sidewalks

Stephen Fesler shares a map of Seattle streets that lack sidewalks—a hot button issue in Seattle where residents of some neighborhoods are "infuriated that they still don't have access to walking facilities in their neighborhoods."

The map reveals that streets north of 85th Street as well as streets in the Industrial District, West Seattle, and Southeast Seattle are lacking sidewalks.

"For a bit of perspective though, it's worth noting that Seattle has over 2,000 miles of sidewalks, which collectively cover 72% of city blocks. The City of Seattle estimates that replacement cost of this existing infrastructure is somewhere around $1.5 billion. But that still leaves some 900 miles (28% of city blocks) without any sidewalks; adding those to the pedestrian network would cost at least another $675 million."

The post goes on to explain how some of the neighborhoods without sidewalks got that way (hint: late incorporation) as well as how excuses and promises are sometimes what residents get instead of action regarding the state of pedestrian infrastructure in their neighborhoods.