Crossing “I-35”

| High Point | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Seattle City Council President Nick Licata came to High Point last night to meet with the HP Neighborhood Association. His evening began with a walking tour led by neighborhood reps Denise Sharify and Miranda Taylor showing him what they consider the hot spots for pedestrian danger and explaining what they want the city to do. Our videographer recorded much of it — but nothing underscored the point as well as this bit of unexpected suspense, when a little boy on a bicycle showed up nearby, needing to get across 35th SW:

Earlier in the tour, the HPNA reps made their case to Licata, explaining why they feel the neighborhood concerns (as detailed in this WSB post) haven’t gotten enough traction:

We’ll keep in touch with HPNA to let you know what happens next.

driver November 9, 2007 (7:16 am)

last night, coming off the West Seattle Bridge, there was a maniac in an old volvo sedan who was swerving from the left lane into the right almost hitting people and then he went to turn left onto 35th off the bridge. he missed the light, so he went around the left hand turn lane traffic and turned almost hitting people – with a baby in a stroller – in the crosswalk.

I don’t usually have too much of a complaint about the drivers around here, but he scared me.

Aidan Hadley November 9, 2007 (8:55 am)

Alright….Who paid that kid to show up on cue? I would have hired an elderly man with a walker. But OK.

Wet Head November 9, 2007 (12:47 pm)

I cross at that intersection all the time. It’s one of the safest places on that stretch of 35th to do so. It’s got a push button activated walk signal that the kid appeared unwilling to wait for. His dad probably drives an old Volvo sedan.

m November 9, 2007 (1:10 pm)

A bad driver in a Volvo? Doesn’t surprise me.

Book Lover November 9, 2007 (5:07 pm)

When the Southwest SPL branch was closed for construction, I had to go to the Highpoint branch. I HATE THAT LIGHT! I wrote into ‘bumper to bumper’ asking them if SDOT would consider making it a smart light (turning red when sensing cars need to turn left). To my knowledge they never published my letter. To make things worse, the house on the NE corner of 35th & Raymond would often have lots of cars parked in front of it, making it impossible to see when the southbound lanes were clear. (Was it holding meetings?) Now that Southwest is open again, I still go to Highpoint, but only if I’m heading north afterwards. That left turn is killer.

LyndaB November 9, 2007 (8:16 pm)

I often walk past the HP library on the way home. 35th is so busy. I often yield for those making left turns into Raymond and push the walk button for those making turns onto 35th. I don’t want to be a casualty or see one happen.

Mike November 9, 2007 (8:53 pm)

35th is insane for traffic. You wouldn’t catch me riding a bike there, or try crossing as a pedestrian. And the speedlimit, I don’t think those drivers can read. Same goes for traffic on Faunteroy. Jeez, same for California. Folks just don’t stop at intersections for pedestrians.

Lou November 10, 2007 (8:28 am)

the video makes it seem like the kid was unwilling to wait for the walk signal…I drive past that intersection everyday and it appears to be one of the better managed crosswalks especially since there are lights to stop traffic for peds. anyway, this video just showed me a kid who wasn’t paying attention to his signal.

Sorry, comment time is over.