Safety
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As we design the bridge, we’re using a multi-disciplinary approach called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED strategies aim to deter crime and are based on the idea that people’s behavior in an urban environment is influenced by the environment’s design.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
CPTED strategies include:
- Providing ample lighting to avoid blind spots
- Maximizing sight distance and visibility
- Using materials that promote easy maintenance of aesthetic and functional qualities
For example, you’ll find the Northgate Bridge has excellent lines of
Providing space for all users
The bridge width is also an important safety consideration. The revised bridge is 16 feet wide, providing more than enough space for all modes in both directions. State code requires 10 feet width, with 2 feet on each side as buffers.
To help you get a sense of the bridge width, here’s how it compares with a handful of other local pedestrian bridges.
We will encourage all users to “keep right.”
Dimensions of Nearby Pedestrian Bridges

The Seattle Times
Boeing Museum of Flight Bridge
Width: 10 feet Length: 340 feet
Seattle Bike Blog
University of Washington Husky Stadium Bridge
Width: 13 feet Length: 378 feet
Cam Fu
W Thomas Pedestrian Overpass
Width: 10 feet Length: 1009 feet