FOLLOWUP: SDOT says Admiral Way work will start September 26th

One week ago, thanks to tips, we reported on SDOT‘s preparation work for restriping Admiral Way west of California SW, a project that’s been in the pipeline for a year and a half, with the final design announced in July. Today, SDOT announced the work schedule:

Work to restripe SW Admiral Way between California and 63rd Ave SW will occur the week of September 26. We expect construction to take about one week, depending on the weather. During this time on-street parking will be restricted on both sides of the street between 7 AM and 5 PM for the entire length of the project. This allows the street to be restriped while keeping a travel lane in each direction open. “No parking” signs will be in place for 72 hours prior to the start of the restrictions. We’ll work to reduce impacts as much as possible and appreciate your patience during this work.

Here’s the mailer that SDOT says will go out to residents and businesses next week; it says SDOT is drafting “Phase 2” of the project, based on suggestions from the August walk-and-talk meeting (WSB coverage here).

But first – as reported here last night, project reps will be at next Tuesday’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting (7 pm Tuesday, September 13th, The Sanctuary at Admiral, 42nd/Lander), for updates and community Q/A on the work that’s about to start.

JayDee September 9, 2016 (5:37 pm)

Cars will be travelling at 35 mph a couple of feet apart. While I hope there are no problems I wonder if the head on accidents will increase, given the curves, and condition of the pavement. I am a pessimistic optimist…If things go swimminly, great. If things go wrong, then I am correct.

Chris September 9, 2016 (7:12 pm)

Jaydee this is what we have been saying all along. Should be interesting in winter months & hope they keep deiced!! No way to get out of the way anymore. No buffer between drunk drivers coming off Alki. Seriously may have to find another route just to stay safe. We may not see as much of a problem until summer comes once again with all the extra traffic. We are just about terrified of what the city is doing on this street. 35 mph is nothing as we have seen them do 47 or more as we saw on sign. On our bumper almost trying to push us up or down the hill because we are going the speed limit of 30! Now how are we supposed to get out of the way? Will there be road rage now against the drivers who want to go the speed limit.

Sorry we are really, really concerned about this. Just do not understand why change what has worked for so many years. What is happening to our West Seattle?
Like Jaydee says, if it works then great. Just will no longer feel safe on this road!!!!!!

TheKing September 9, 2016 (11:02 pm)

@chris…excellent post that will fall on deaf ears. You might get a few responses from car haters, but it seems leaving one’s fingerprint all over this city is more important than common sense.

Justin September 10, 2016 (12:54 am)

Mayor Ed Murray is hell bent on getting another 50 new miles of protected bike lanes as part of his ambitious 20-year Bicycle Master Plan. People who drive cars (i.e. most of us) aren’t his concern.

This is the same mayor whose staff bought out the failed Pronto bike sharing system, at public expense, and looks to be doubling down on his bike fetish by expanding the system. Remember, the system was also acquired under SDOT Director Scott Kubly, who used to work for the company that previously managed Pronto. Kubly was ultimately fined for ethics violations regarding the deal, but Mayor Murray continues to support him. Even Murray’s “bike chief,” Nicole Freedman, just quit this week.

The whole thing stinks. Alki doesn’t need or want this revision. We don’t want our neighborhood to become less safe because of Mayor Murray’s bike fetish.

Don Brubeck September 10, 2016 (9:26 am)

Deleting the center turn lane was at the suggestion of a lot of people who live on and near Admiral, to preserve parking. Loud and clear at public meetings. SDOT agreed to do what neighbors asked for.

It’s only paint. It can be modified easily if parts of it don’t work well. Also, these are not protected bike lanes. No protection barriers — just paint stripes to separate bike traffic and car traffic for safety.

Best comment: “…may have to find another route…” That would be great! Especially if you ride a loud motorcycle.

AceMotel September 10, 2016 (9:47 am)

center lane vs. bike lane is a false equivalency, one proposed by the controversial SDOT director and (hopefully one-term) mayor.

mjc September 10, 2016 (10:29 am)

The road diet and bike lanes going in aren’t just for bikes. The gain of all of this is that it *should* reduce speeds and help as a traffic calming effect. Theoretically, right? I see it helping. I’m all for it as a cyclist and a driver. What we need to all keep in mind, basically a fact, is that this is a new West Seattle. There are more people living here and more traffic. We have to continue to modify streets and traffic patterns to adjust to the influx. As Don pointed out above, at least it is only paint. Maybe it won’t work, but tinkering and experimenting is part of the bigger process IMO.

Steven S September 10, 2016 (9:26 pm)

I see many more head-on collisions in our future without the benefit of a turn lane acting as a buffer for oncoming traffic. This is an awful idea being foisted upon us by people who do not live here.

Jeff September 12, 2016 (2:09 pm)

From what I’ve seen, there is very little justification for this change. The accident hotspots they used to justify this were near Aliki Mail, new traffic light, very sensible, and on the flats at Alki where people park and walk towards the beach. Coming down a hill at 30-35mph to round a curve and find a car stopped waiting to turn left is actually much more unsafe than any risk to bicyclists. Add to that a large variety of quiet and safer routes for bikes on nearby residential streets or a much flatter route which is overall quicker on your bike down below and this is completely unnecessary. I’m not anti bike, just pro common sense.

Chris September 13, 2016 (6:22 am)

Hearing news that Mayor says taxpayers may need to step up to help the homeless, why does he keep spending money on changing roads like Admiral that were working just fine. He may have to change Admiral back by this time next year. Roads need fixing like the one in front of our West Seattle fire station with the huge pot holes! Take care of our firefighters! Such wasted money making more problems that we do not need when other things should be more priority.

Sorry, comment time is over.