3 upcoming West Seattle safety projects open for your review

| Delridge | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news | Westwood

The next three West Seattle safety projects in the Neighborhood Street Fund program are in the planning phase and ready for your comments, SDOT says. Each has its own webpage with project info and an explanation of how to comment:

South Delridge Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

*New walk and bike signal at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Barton St

*New marked crosswalk at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Barton St

SW Barton St Pedestrian Safety Enhancements

New curb ramps and crosswalks at the intersections of SW Barton St & 25th Ave S and SW Barton St & 24th Ave SW.

New left turn arrows for eastbound and westbound movements at SW Barton St and 26th Ave SW to separate pedestrian movements from left turning vehicles

Install new pedestrian activated flashing beacon at the intersection of SW Barton St and 25th Ave SW.

Delridge Neighborhood Greenway Safe Connections

This project is a combination of two community proposals to enhance the connection between the Delridge Neighborhood Greenway and the West Seattle Bridge Trail:

Improvements to SW Andover St between 26th Ave SW (Delridge Neighborhood Greenway) and Delridge Way SW, as well as the intersection of SW Andover St & Delridge Way SW. These include protected bike lanes, green pavement markings, a new left turn pocket for people riding bikes, right turn on red restrictions, and other changes.

A new railing on the onramp from the Delridge Way SW to the West Seattle Bridge. This on-ramp hosts a multiuse trail that links to the West Seattle Bridge Trail, but it currently lacks a railing between the trail and traffic using the onramp. This project will include a new railing, trimming overgrown plants to increase the usable width of the trail, and spot pavement repairs.

You have until the end of January to send your thoughts on any or all of the projects.

Bike Person December 29, 2019 (5:02 am)

I wish they would do something with the stretch between Holden and Thistle on Delridge. That may single handily be the worst stretch of road in the city for a cyclist.

KM December 29, 2019 (1:29 pm)

With the Rapid Ride project, there will be a “protected” SB bike lane from Holden on south. NB be damned, though.

Firefighter December 29, 2019 (8:39 am)

Barton project. Placing bike boxes IN the travel lane will reduce vehicle capacity and slow emergency response when trying to maneuver through this intersection during busy traffic.

AMD December 29, 2019 (12:57 pm)

I don’t see any bike boxes in either Barton project, for whatever that’s worth. In general, can you elaborate more on how bike boxes slow down emergency responses? Don’t bikes move right for sirens and lights like everyone else? Is there something that stops bikes from moving out of the way of emergency vehicles? If anything I think it would be easier for them to move. Or are we coming from the assumption that people aren’t going to move out of the way? If this is the case, shouldn’t we focus on getting drivers to move right for first responders? That seems like a more logical approach than building infrastructure around the assumption that drivers are stupid.
KM December 29, 2019 (1:26 pm)

There are no bike boxes on the Barton project. However, if you are referring to Delridge/Andover, it’s important to know that a bike box already exists there, is about 1 sedan length, and bikes are already allowed in the lane of travel, paint or not. Cyclists also must yield for emergency vehicles, and are more nimble that cars while doing so, and therefore will not slow emergency response vehicles. I can easily get my bike onto the sidewalk to clear space for a firetruck. A car cannot. I look forward to the enhancements at this intersection.

DRW December 29, 2019 (11:03 am)

Speaking of safety projects, is there any word on crosswalk flashers for the transit hub on Barton across from Westwood? Seems to be taking awhile. It seems a bit strange there are crosswalk flashers on 21st Ave SW at 22nd Ave SW but not at the “transit hub”.

JRR December 29, 2019 (4:19 pm)

The design for the Westwood village improvements includes flashing lights at 25th and Barton, which is where the 120 stops (soon to be rapid ride). Very, very glad to see these things getting attention in our neighborhood. Much needed infrastructure for pedestrians and transit users.

icouldtellyou December 30, 2019 (8:14 am)

Some flashers for the crosswalk at 16th and Myrtle would be nice. Drivers don’t stop even when I am in the middle of the crosswalk.

sam-c December 30, 2019 (1:59 pm)

What are the diagonal lines depicted at the crosswalks at the 26th/ Barton intersection? Is it turning into a walk all ways intersection? The lights were already modified for ‘leading pedestrian interval’ a few weeks or so ago.. I like it. The problem is that many pedestrians aren’t really paying attention and don’t realize they get a head start.

JRR December 30, 2019 (3:16 pm)

When I wrote the application and concept idea for this, that’s what I asked for. I think it may be under study.
- sam-c January 2, 2020 (10:31 am)
  
  ‘Walk All Ways’ would be a great idea at this intersection.

Something is missing... December 30, 2019 (2:22 pm)

Something important is missing. We can see that this is paid for from the NSF, but see no budget numbers for these projects. We can also see a timeline, but no breakdown in cost efficiency or breakage if the timeline isn’t met. I submitted that actual public comments really can’t be analyzed without seeing budgetary information. I’d recommend anyone uncomfortable with our city government operating with a blank check do the same.

JRR December 30, 2019 (3:52 pm)

Since they’re all in places where city infrastructure is lacking because of no investment for years, I think the cost is irrelevant. Gonna cost more to bring ignored parts of town up to current safety and equity standards.

Sorry, comment time is over.