Busy day on 35th SW: Paving, cameras, cables

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Thanks to Val for the newly added second photo.) As the city Transportation Department promised yesterday, their crews are out on 35th just north of Alaska today, starting repair work on what became known in WSB-land as “Bruno” the megapothole. (Backstory here.) Reminder that they expect to work for a week, 8 am-2 pm, reducing 35th to one lane at that spot. Meantime, thanks to several WSB readers for pointing out that SDOT crews were busy elsewhere along the 35th corridor even earlier in the morning, putting down detection cables and installing cameras like this one:

That camera is near 35th/Thistle, identified as one of the two West Seattle intersections that will be first to get red-light cameras, so we have a message out to SDOT asking if that’s what this is all about. One more camera note: Remember the speeder-cam bill (much-discussed here last weekend)? You can track its status here; right now, it’s moved on to the state House Transportation Committee – whose membership does not include either of West Seattle’s state House reps.

mel February 20, 2008 (4:31 pm)

going southbound on 35th today, I noticed 3 of the cameras between morgan st. and thistle. one, far enough past morgan that there is no way it would be able to see a car go through a red light. another one placed where there are no lights. and it’s quite obvious these are not permanent, they’re attached to trees and a speed limit sign.

LyndaB February 20, 2008 (8:50 pm)

getting off the bus this evening, i saw one attached to a bus stop sign at 35th and findlay on the west side of the street. i agree. these are not permanent. the red light cameras clearly have signage approaching the targeted intersection. that’s what i’ve seen in the u-district at 45th and roosevelt. so what’s the dealy?

miws February 20, 2008 (9:00 pm)

I saw the cam in the pic on my bus ride to work this morning. I was surprised to see it so within reach from the ground, and figured that would leave it open to vandalism.

But, if they’re temporary, that explains why.

Mike

WSB February 20, 2008 (11:45 pm)

Our SDOT contact reported back late today that she is still trying to figure out what that’s about … but she doesn’t THINK it’s related to the red-light camera program. We are going to be at SDOT HQ tomorrow morning for some story interviews so maybe we’ll get it sorted out then.

credmond February 21, 2008 (12:10 am)

I know that SDOT’s been researching and experimenting with different vehicle/bike/something-on-wheels motion and approach detectors. The present loop wire system is difficult to maintain and subject to not detecting certain vehicles or sizes of vehicles. I know it’s sometimes hard to imagine, but I’ve come to realize that we’ve got some awfully dedicated and smart/ahead-of-the-curve civil servants working in some of our departments. SDOT doesn’t always tell everyone what they’re up to, partially because we’ve come not to trust them and they feel sometimes like they’re the enemy. A natural response. But, I do think we’ve got the beginnings of a real mobility breakthrough coming to this town. The years ’09 through ’12 are turning out to be some watershed moments.

credmond February 21, 2008 (12:10 am)

by the way, that wasn’t speculation about what those detectors are or are not, just a recounting of a recent conversation I’ve had with some SDOT engineers.

Al February 21, 2008 (10:02 am)

I notice a new camera on Fauntleroy at 35th and Findlay, on the east side of the street pointing at the northbound lanes. It’s on a tree I think. Makes me think that perhaps, just perhaps, that that bill to allow speeding cams is being pushed through for a reason…????