Three hours after the safety rally at 35th/Juneau ended, a minor car accident tonight briefly blocked part of 35th at the exact same spot. No major injuries, and it cleared fairly quickly – police were pulling away as we pulled up, so the image at left is all we could get – but it underscored what neighbors like Lynda Bui told us at the rally — this is a spot with frequent problems, and they’re pretty sure they know why:
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The rally wasn’t just about that spot on 35th, but the speeding (and other) problems that have earned it the nickname “I-35.” Organizers chose this spot because it’s where a crash injured a High Point teenager last month. The city didn’t let today’s rally go unanswered. In fact, we got e-mail from SDOT communications director Rick Sheridan hours earlier, noting that city reps had met with organizers ahead of time and that the two groups “had a very positive discussion about making 35th Avenue SW a better corridor for all. As noted in our handout, drivers can help this effort by obeying the speed limit and being more aware of pedestrians.” More on that handout – a city-prepared document – plus organizers’ reaction and other followup, ahead:
First, the scene of today’s rally – our camera recorded from the dashboard as we drove up minutes after it began at 3 pm:
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From the sidewalk behind the participants, here’s how the scene looked – as mentioned in our first report, several local organizations were represented, including the High Point Neighborhood Association (whose president Andrew Mead was there), Neighborhood House, Safe Futures, Elizabeth House, and more:
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Several of the participants with whom we spoke today say they want a light at 35th/Juneau (a block north of the newly upgraded light at 35th/Raymond), like this woman who told us through a translator that she was hit by a car this past spring on 35th and had had to undergo extensive leg surgery:
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A 35th/Juneau light, however, is not in the “handout” prepared by SDOT – which you can see here – which lists other area improvements past and future, starting with one near the area where Gregory Hampel was hit and killed just last month:
New radar speed signs to be installed on 35th SW by October 31st – SB at Brandon (just south of Camp Long entrance) and NB at Willow
*Recently upgraded signal at 35th & Raymond from a pedestrian signal to a full signal.
*Marked a new crosswalk on the north leg of this intersection.
*Improved signal at 35th & Morgan by adding a left turn signal & countdown signals for pedestrians
*Worked with Seattle Housing Authority & Seattle Public Schools to improve walking route to West Seattle Elementary by installing a new signal at Sylvan Wy & Lanham Pl SW
*Provided a temporary crosswalk at 34th & Morgan during construction of new signal at Sylvan Wy & Lanham Pl SW
*Installed new fl ashing beacons to highlight the ‘school speed limit 20’ signs on Sylvan Way
*Installed new school zone signage for West Seattle Elementary & Our Lady of Guadalupe (including new ‘speed limit 20’ signage on 35th SW)
*New sidewalk to be constructed in spring/summer 2009 on 30th Ave SW from High Point to SW Brandon St
*SDOT is currently studying the feasibility of a road diet to address traffic calming concerns.
This list was presented to rally organizers Denise Sharify and Miranda Taylor, who have long campaigned for safety improvements; we asked Sharify about it as the hourlong event drew to a close:
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By the way, West Seattle pedestrian matters are on the mayor’s agenda tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, as he joins in two events – a celebration of the new sidewalks at Sanislo Elementary (WSB coverage here) and an announcement of future Safe Routes to School projects, followed by a stroll with Alki Elementary students in honor of International Walk to School Day. We’ll bring you coverage of both.
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