22 March 2016

Backyards and the westside bypass

It's a tight squeeze for the off ramp to Three Mile Drive for southbound traffic on the westside bypass. For these homeowners on Empire Loop, a high density neighborhood, it's more than a tight squeeze — it's a sheer drop at the property line and the sounds and sights of high speed traffic. A high sound wall might attenuate the traffic’s rumble and roar, but probably at the cost of blocking the view of the Swan Range. These developments do not increase the value of the properties next to the off ramp. Is this progress? Only for the people driving the bypass.

The southeast corner of the Empire subdivision, on the west side of the bypass just north of Three Mile Drive, where I stood to make this photograph.

A narrow angle view of the bypass and the backyards. The rickety chain link fence guards a vacant lot — a lot that may stay vacant forever.

The view from above, captured in September, 2014, while the Three Mile bridge was under construction. Larger view.