If you like riding your bicycle along scenic S.E. May Valley Road between Newcastle and Issaquah, Washington, then I've got horrible news for you.
The road will be blocked to bikes and motor vehicles through the end of August at a small bridge that the county is replacing just east of the intersection with State Route 900.
Bicyclists will either have to head north over the pass between Squak and Cougar mountains, or south to East 4th Street in the Renton Highlands. Both routes have higher traffic volumes and a lot more hills than the pleasant ride past the farms and horse ranches along May Creek.
To be honest, I probably ride this route at least 25 times a year and I never really noticed the bridge just east of State Route 900. Built in 1950, it's a short culvert-like affair over a portion of the creek that is so overgrown that it's all but invisible when you pass over it.
The road is a popular bicycling route in eastern King County. Bicyclists in Sunday's 100-mile Livestrong Challenge bike ride used this route.
Decay from old age
Anything that's been around since 1950 is showing its age. Just look at me. King County says the bridge's timber supports are decaying.
“The replacement bridge will have a wider roadway improved sight lines, and have wider shoulders for pedestrians and bicycles.”
That's good that there will be improvements, even if I didn't realize the bridge didn't meet highway standards. The official date for the reopening is Aug. 30, but I'm hoping it happens before then.
The detour
Earlier Tuesday, I rode my bike along that detour south on 164th Avenue, to NE 4th Street, to SE 128th Street and back to May Valley Road. I'll admit that I'm not crazy about it.
The shoulder on 164th Avenue is very narrow. The shoulder is much wider on NE 4th/SE 128th street, but it's all hacked up and extremely bumpy to ride. The route is far from level.
I did discover a county park, Coalfields Park, on 164th Avenue whose name is evocative of the economic basis for this community more than 100 years ago. I read that King County is trying to create a trail that would connect that highlands park to the Cedar River Trail in the valley below.
King County says you can contact Barbara de Michele, community relations planner, about the project by calling (206) 263-3792 or sending her an email at barbara.demichele@kingcounty.gov. Also contact her if you want email alerts about the project.
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