FOLLOWUP: Why 59th/Admiral all-way stop was installed late at night

(WSB photo, looking west across the intersection at midday today)

As you know if you (a) went through the area today and/or (b) read our morning traffic coverage, the 59th/Admiral all-way stop is now in place: The signs are installed, and what was a pedestrian-activated signal is now flashing red. SDOT had told us that the work would be done “Monday or Tuesday” of this week. We had been checking morning and afternoon both days – no sign of crews. Then, we learned from two neighbors, SDOT showed up to do the work late last night, and was still on the scene, with loud equipment, past midnight. So we asked SDOT spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg why the work was done at that hour. “Because of the large volume of transportation projects being installed and the importance of meeting Levy to Move Seattle commitments, SDOT crews are currently working day and night shifts,” she replied.

Did night work mean overtime? “Overtime was not used for this project.”

Schellenberg acknowledged that advance notice to neighbors of nighttime work would have been a good thing. Since more work is coming up on other intersections along Admiral Way west of California (as announced two months ago), we asked about the plans for that work:

We’re finalizing designs at the other intersections and will issue work orders in the next few weeks. I don’t yet have information on schedule, or time of day. Agreed, public notice of night-time work would be good. I’ll try and keep apprised of our plans and update adjacent residents as appropriate.

This is all followup to the Admiral Way Safety Project that rechannelized the western stretch last year. Other work in the area included a few blocks of repaving two weeks ago, following continued complaints about the road’s condition.

Steven Lorenza August 31, 2017 (6:53 am)

Am I missing why this is a big deal?

Chris August 31, 2017 (7:32 am)

We are not looking forward to this change, and the way people drive on Admiral. This is downright scary to say the least especially for the children. It does not seem SDOT heard people’s concerns as seen in the blog when this was last posted to happen. The stop light was the best option for this area, not the stop signs.

Oh my cannot imagine the mess on hot days…..and the racers, speeders or others that ignore stop signs….

DR August 31, 2017 (9:57 am)

I agree completely Chris. There is no accountability at SDOT. They pulled a fast one on everyone because they knew it was unpopular. Where is the traffic data (although it would be manipulated by SDOT just like they did on the striping project) that supports the need for this to be a All Way Stop??

All these “small projects” are a frivolous waste of money. Admiral Way is in horrible need of being completely repaved!
West Seattle since 1979 August 31, 2017 (3:07 pm)

Is this not the same corner that, when it was discussed on here a couple weeks ago, people were lamenting that they could no longer speed through there and that t his was going to add minutes to their commute? So this isn’t going to help pedestrians either? (Or am I confusing this with another intersesction?)
- neighbor August 31, 2017 (6:21 pm)
  
  This is actually less safe for pedestrians now than it was before, from what I’m seeing. Previously there was a crosswalk-controlled signal, so there’d be a red light to stop traffic long enough for families to cross the pretty wide road. Now that’s disabled, and with a four-way stop most drivers do a cursory stop and then go right away, making it much more hazardous to cross the street. This is a heavily used crosswalk for families with small children headed to Alki elementary and the community center.
  - CAM September 1, 2017 (8:26 am)
    
    Maybe those drivers should stop doing that. Radical idea, I know, but maybe streets should not be designed around the expectation that drivers are horrible irresponsible people. When I see a stop sign I expect people to stop; bikers, pedestrians, and drivers.

kt August 31, 2017 (7:34 am)

Temporary signs were up after work and many people blew through them (this happened to be after a pedestrian crossing so maybe they assumed the light turned green instead of flashing red and just didn’t see the stop signs).

Lola August 31, 2017 (8:09 am)

Is there not a nighttime noise curfew? I feel for the people who had to listen to construction all night long…..

Erithan August 31, 2017 (11:01 am)

To my understanding construction of any sort can’t start after 11pm or before 7am. Not sure if them being a city thing gives them some special “pass”.

CaptAdmiral August 31, 2017 (10:54 am)

There needs to be some remediation done at the area near Admiral and 44th. Ever since the rechannelization it has created a dangerous area there specifically because people are trying to make left turns from westbound Admiral onto 44th to access Bank of America and Lafayette and it causes back ups. People get impatient waiting and then zoom around the people trying to turn. There’s also an unmarked crosswalk area of sorts right there between 7-11 and Bank of America that really should be marked and signaled as kids and parents cross there (during the school year) as well as many residents of the neighborhood heading to the playground. The City didn’t think thoroughly enough about the unintended consequences of the rechannelization in this stretch of Admiral. Who needs to be contacted about this?

whocares August 31, 2017 (12:29 pm)

One night of noise in an otherwise peaceful and mostly no-growth neighborhood, I think you’ll survive. Those of us in the construction crazy Junction have endured two years of non-stop noise, sidewalk closures, parking infringement and traffic disruption without a word of sympathy.

Marmar August 31, 2017 (1:13 pm)

So they took out a stop light and replaced it with a stop sign? WHAT? I think most the “engineers” at SDOT got their certificate from a Cracker Jacks box.

WSB August 31, 2017 (1:23 pm)

It was a pedestrian-activated signal – no stops in the east-west direction unless a pedestrian pressed the button. The signal has not been removed; it’s been changed to flashing red pending initial evaluation of how this goes, SDOT says.

AdmiralWayResident August 31, 2017 (2:59 pm)

I’m not sure how they are justifying this being safer. Just went through there for the school function this afternoon and no one was stopping — even with pedestrians *in* the crosswalk, not just waiting. SDOT: fix this NOW before school starts on Wednesday.

WS Born August 31, 2017 (3:34 pm)

Steven Lorenza. This is a “big deal” because it is TOTALLY unnecessary. I’ve lived on Alki since 1985 and go through this intersection daily, multiple times many day’s. I’ve NEVER seen an accident here-EVER. I’ve never had a problem getting through this intersection from any direction. What SDOT has done is invent a problem. Wasted time. Also,they’ve placed a stop sign going westbound right at the start of the turn lane. Car’s now go through and have to try to get in the turn lane to go south. More congestion and more cars idleing.

Alki Resident August 31, 2017 (7:42 pm)

We should all plan to attend the next Alki Community Council Meeting which is apparently September 21st at the Alki Church. Let our voices be heard!

Meets Third Thursday of the Month at 7: 00 pm

6115 SW Hinds St

(No meetings August or December)

If the Council takes a stance, it may carry more weight than individuals.

Chris August 31, 2017 (7:43 pm)

Problem is is SDOT even listening or just doing their own thing????

Believing for safety for our kids!

Mark schletty August 31, 2017 (7:55 pm)

Chris- SDOT never listens. And they never will as long as Kubly is running it.

Etip August 31, 2017 (11:04 pm)

Adding my voice. Taking away the flashing cross walk redlight makes this much LESS safe.

Also agree that the east bound stop sign is so far back from the left turn onto 59th, west bound cars have given no appropriate right of way to turning left.

Such a bad design. I’m fearing walking the kids to school. At least the red light stopped the cars so we could cross.

WSEA September 1, 2017 (9:44 am)

All I see are cars performing California stops now (i.e. slowing to 5mph through the stop). I dont use the intersection that much but I have to say that this design seems worse. FYI.. I was not for or against the change since I only use the intersection for running.

WSB September 1, 2017 (10:09 am)

People who want to complain to SDOT can try 206-684-ROAD for starters. But in the meantime, regarding rolling through … speaking as someone who lives next to an all-way stop elsewhere in West Seattle, regardless of whether people “agree with” an intersection’s configuration, please, don’t roll through stop signs, ANYWHERE, please? As I’ve commented on occasion, we have had too many close calls in our intersection over the years because people coming downhill (west) on one arterial to turn to the next (north) don’t bother to look in our direction (south) and roll through, even as we proceed into the intersection, and get close to broadsiding us except that we see what’s about to happen and lay mightily on the horn (or slam on our own brakes). Stopping at a stop sign takes an additional what, 10 seconds? If that. Are the extra seconds worth risking someone’s life? P.S. I’m also checking on whether the 59th/Admiral intersection will have a crossing guard starting Wednesday … TR