Q: Ballard resident Anthony Salazar calls the city's plan to squeeze four lanes of traffic into two along a stretch of 24th Avenue Northwest in Ballard, foolish. He doesn't think much of what the city's transportation department calls a road diet.

The section, between Northwest Market Street and Northwest 65th Street, is heavily traveled, and drivers, he points out, share the road with no less than three Metro bus routes.

"To decrease the number of lanes seems misguided and will ultimately prove ill-fated," he said.

"With the rise of condo buildings on 24th Avenue Northwest, and an increase in new Ballard residents, what possible sense can this make?"

A: The installation of a middle turn lane and bicycle lanes in both directions will meet the goals set out in the Ballard Neighborhood Plan to increase walking, biking, and access to transit in the Ballard business district, says Wayne Wentz, the transportation department's traffic management director.

Reducing the number of motor vehicle lanes will improve pedestrian safety along the entire corridor because it will reduce the number of traffic lanes a pedestrian must cross, he said.

The dedicated bicycle lanes will connect to the Ballard business district and to the future Burke-Gilman Trail. "In addition," he added, "motor vehicle access and safety will be improved by creating a protected space for vehicles making left turns."

Wentz says the department's analysis indicates that vehicle capacity and operation along 24th Avenue Northwest will not be diminished.