Q: Getting around in Seattle's Cascade neighborhood, just south of South Lake Union, has been a bit more of a challenge over the past several months because of the boom in construction projects and temporary street closures, increased growth and activity in the area, and preparations for the South Lake Union streetcar.

The way Doug Sharp sees it, Republican, Harrison, Thomas and John streets in the neighborhood have become de facto east-west crossings because Mercer Street and Denny Way are often full of traffic. The four streets cross Westlake Avenue North, which is now a two-way street, and also Terry Avenue North, just west of Westlake, and soon to be part of the 1.3-mile South Lake Union streetcar route between downtown and the lake, and also Fairview Avenue North, close to the streetcars' maintenance base.

Around Westlake and in the Cascade neighborhood, fencing around construction sites and large construction trucks double- parked have made for unsafe vehicle and pedestrian conditions, says Sharp, a Phinney Ridge resident whose travels regularly take him into the Cascade neighborhood. He figures folks who drive in Cascade may need a crash course on rights-of-way and trolleys. Any advice?

He also wants to know if there's any chance the city will restripe Republican, Harrison, Thomas and John streets right at Fairview and add traffic signs at those intersections so that its easier for traffic to know how to maneuver.

A: It's been more than a half-century since a streetcar has operated north of downtown, in the Denny Triangle and South Lake Union areas. The South Lake Union streetcar is poised to start test runs, before starting service in December.

Before that, however, Seattle's transportation department plans to conduct an education campaign — door-to-door contact with area businesses and residents, information posted in public places, and a neighborhood mailing — to prepare the public.

The streetcars will be on tracks, of course, and run in traffic lane. They'll also be stopping in traffic for passengers. "It's just like any other vehicle," said Josh Stepherson, the transportation department's streetcar liaison. "Even though they're on rails, streetcars don't necessarily get priority over vehicles. They are equal."

Transportation department spokeswoman Marybeth Turner says there are a few simple rules to keep in mind along the streetcar route:
• Streetcars are rather quiet, so it makes sense to stay alert and always stop, look and listen for streetcars before crossing its tracks.
• Maintain a safe distance away from streetcars.
• Don't bicycle, walk, park or play on tracks.
• Motorcycles and bikes should cross tracks at a 90-degree angle.
• When parking, vehicles must be in a designated parking area, between the solid white line and curb. The designated area is about eight feet wide, so vehicles should have no trouble parking out of the path of streetcars. Signs are posted, and vehicles that block the streetcar are subject to being ticketed and towed.

The city's street-use and traffic management offices approve permits for any construction that takes place on public streets, "so that's how we're able to manage the construction," said Turner.

She also says the department will look at the alignment of the streets crossing Fairview at those intersections.