As the crow flies, it’s not very far from lower Queen Anne to Seattle’s waterfront, but good luck getting a crow to fly you there.

Up to now, walkers and cyclists had to negotiate busy boulevards and railways to reach the Sound’s edge.

But as of mid-September-ish–a temporary suspended work platform for the Thomas Street Overpass project came down last week–there will be an easy, unobstructed stroll from Third Avenue West to the Elliott Bay Trail as it passes through Myrtle Edwards Park.

The Elliott Bay Trail is just under three miles in length, but provides a wealth of scenic views, and you can continue on northward from Magnolia’s Smith Cove to Discovery Park, if you’d like more of a workout. Heading south as you leave the overpass will connect you with the waterfront promenade on Alaskan Way, or to the west, the Olympic Sculpture Park.

The 10-foot-wide overpass itself stretches a little over 900 feet. ABKJ was the primary consultant on the project, and notes there is a “97’ span over five BNSF railway lines and a 99’ span over Elliott Avenue.”

The project has had several theoretical opening dates–it was supposed to be finished in spring of 2012, then it was July, then it was August. The last hold-up has been the installation of handrails, which were being shipped in separate pieces and installed as they arrived.