East/West Routes From Victory Heights

I love Seattle but driving cross town (that is, east to west) can be frustrating due to the lack of through arterials and various geographic barriers. Trying to get from Victory Heights over to Greenwood for example is a challenge at the best of times, and with construction this summer on Northgate Way (see Pinehurst Seattle’s story), and NE 85th Street, this is a good time to seek alternative routes.*
Allow me to share one of my favorite secret shortcuts. This can get you to Greenwood in under 20 minutes any time of the day, or to Thornton Place in less than 10 without having to use Northgate Way. (Note: this will take you through residential neighborhoods, so keep your speed under 25, watch for pedestrians, and be cautious approaching uncontrolled intersections.)Victory Heights Shortcut Map
Starting from Victory Heights Park (green line on map), go west on NE 107th, across 15th Ave NE, around the curve at 12th Ave, then a quick left on NE 108th (caution narrow one-lane bridge over the creek), then turn left on Roosevelt. To get to Greenwood, turn right off Roosevelt at NE 92nd Street, cross 5th Ave NE at the light, over the freeway, past the community college and turn left on Wallingford Ave. Turn right at the next 4-way stop on NE 90th, cross Aurora at the light, up and over the Phinney ridge and finally turn left at the light onto Greenwood Ave.
To get to the Thornton Place, follow the instructions to Roosevelt, then use the blue line on the map: turn right on NE 105th, left on 8th Ave NE, then right on NE 103rd, cross the light at 5 Ave NE and there you are.
Feel free to share your favorite short cuts.
* Although taking Lake City Way south to NE 80th/85th can be an alternative to Northgate Way, traffic in the late afternoon backs up at 15th Ave NE making this a less than desirable workaround.

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