Reader report: New Fauntleroy crosswalk & signal on the way

Remember last year’s crosswalk cancellations, such as the one in Luna Park and the one at 35th and Kenyon? Seems a new one, with signal, is on the way to Fauntleroy Way (which also lost one last year, at Rose) – the new one will be at Dawson (map above) From Kevin (thank you!):

After hearing about the city deciding to remove a number of crosswalks in West Seattle over the past year or so, I thought you might want to hear about one actually being put in.

Along with a number of neighbors at the bus stop, who have been calling and writing Seattle Department of Transportation, my wife and I seem to have convinced the powers that be that crossing Fauntleroy Way between SW Edmunds St and SW Findlay St really is like playing a giant game of Frogger.

We’ve been talking with various people at SDOT for the past six months or so and just before Christmas got some good news. SDOT conducted a new traffic study and found that the intersection at Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Dawson St not only warrants a marked crosswalk but a signalized one as well. From our conversations it seems it will be similar to the signalized crosswalk next to Fairmount Elementary School.

I think it will be a wonderful thing for the neighborhood. It might even slow drivers down a little on the “Fauntleroy Freeway”.

The text of SDOT’s email is below.

Dear Mr. ____,
I have some good news for you and your wife. We did a new traffic study and a pedestrian signal is warranted. It is at our 2008 new signal list and we will start design soon. Thank you again for your time to write us, and you have a wonderful holiday season.

You have a nice day!

Valerie Lee
Senior Civil Engineer
Seattle Department of Transportation
Signal Operation Division

Sue January 11, 2008 (5:34 pm)

Kevin, you have made my day!! As you may recall, I’m one of the people who’s also been in touch with everyone in creation about getting a light at this intesection, and I’ve spoken with you and your wife about it at the bus stop, but this is the first I’ve heard of it being approved. Hooray!

WSMom January 11, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Thank goodness! This is wonderful news!! Thank you to the folks who got this light on the map!!!

jissy January 11, 2008 (6:01 pm)

Frogger — haha, that’s is hilarious!

jissy January 11, 2008 (6:01 pm)

Oops, that is or that’s, but not both!

Jan January 11, 2008 (7:03 pm)

Hooray, Sue. I know this has been a bone of contention with you for a long time. Hope it happens soon :)

MikeV2.0 January 11, 2008 (8:59 pm)

Hey I used to live there.. Thats a a spectactular accomplishment. I hated crossing that road with my dog. I usually had to pick him up and run. I didn’t realize it when I moved in but Fauntleroy is essentially a highway to vashon.

Jerald January 12, 2008 (10:30 am)

I’m happy to see this, but am concerned about the location. It’s like one they installed at Lincoln Park, too far from the spot most people actually want to cross to reach the playfield. All those little soccer players are still going to be dodging cars to cross at Brandon St.

Sue January 12, 2008 (2:52 pm)

Jerald, one of the reasons we’ve pushed for this light at Dawson is that the 54X stops at that corner. I suspect that a large percentage of people crossing there are going to and from the bus stops – not to get elsewhere.

Al January 14, 2008 (9:36 am)

Great! I acutally use that crossing to get elsewhere, not just the bus-stop. And I’ve seen some horrific auto accidents too. Maybe this will help people slow down, even those turning off of Dawson onto Fauntleroy.

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