Fauntleroy Way “rechannelization” decision postponed

(city graphic from 12/1 open house on the Fauntleroy Way proposal)
Another “we’ll decide by 12/31/08” delay: First it was the Alaskan Way Viaduct – now, on a smaller scale, we just got word from SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner that the Fauntleroy Way “rechannelization” decision isn’t going to be made by year’s end (as in, tonight) either:

Due to the recent severe weather, SDOT has shifted resources to focus on assessing impacts and clean-up after the storm. Because of this, SDOT is delaying making a final recommendation on the traffic lane configuration on Fauntleroy Way SW until the end of January. We appreciate the community interest in this project and we will send out another notice as soon as a decision has been reached.

Previous coverage includes:
Dec. 14: city posts Q-A on project’s webpage
Dec. 1: city “open house” about the proposal
November 15: In-depth WSB followup with a city engineer
November 13: First word that the restriping was being proposed

M December 31, 2008 (4:58 pm)

Don’t mess with it.

Fauntleroy is one of few major and efficient thoroughfares, critic to West Seattle mobility. Its the only way for a lot of people to get into and out of WS efficiently.

During the snow-barrier-induced single lane I experienced what one Fauntleroy lane feels like; a stack of 30 cars going 20mph from Alaska to California, starting a chain reaction of massive backups at all the lights from Alaska onto the WS Bridge, and again at Morgan Junction.

As a cyclist, I don’t want to ride on Fauntleroy anyway. Widen the West or East sidewalk for bidirectional bike and foot traffic instead.
Add real lit crosswalks to help out pedestrians.
Done.

No More Same Old Same Old December 31, 2008 (5:36 pm)

How do you propose to widen either the West or East sidewalk and how would you pay for it?

The private property lines pretty much butt right up to the existing sidewalks. Eminent domain to ‘take’ enough land for a sidewalk widening program is a non-starter.

Are you suggesting eliminating parking spaces on one side of the street to accommodate your concept?

Larry Richards December 31, 2008 (7:58 pm)

I’m a geezer born at the WS hospital at California and Alaska. Graduate of Sealth 1960. Spent most of my life in WS.
It amazes me that the powers that be continue to deliberately remove more and more lanes of traffic from your streets and wonder why traffic gets worse and worse. How can it be? Lets tear down a six lane viaduct and replace it WITH… four congested city street lanes WITH… 22 red lights. In each direction. (Lets not time them for traffic flow either . We can use a computer to screw up the traffic in all four directions at one time!)
I gave up on Seattle 7 years ago-live in Jefferson Co where there are 6 traffic lights. In the whole county. Took my business with me. It’s called quality of life. Love the WS blog. If I’m ever in doubt about my decision to move I check it out! Time for someone to reactivate Lesser WesSeattle?
Larry

westmike December 31, 2008 (10:39 pm)

The bike lane in between lanes is awful. You might as well just shoot the cyclists now before they get crushed by cars. Removing lanes is going to cause more traffic and putting a cycling lane in the middle of lanes is going to cause a massive increase in accidents and deaths.

Brian January 1, 2009 (7:44 pm)

Agree with M. F Way is a much needed route and the duel lanes are necessary. If you want to slow traffic to a safer speed and reduce accidents, use this plan on 35th Ave… PLEASE!

Ron January 1, 2009 (8:38 pm)

Right on Larry! I graduated in ’52 and know what a wonderful place WS was before the Social Engineers took over the City. Wish I could move to the Country, but it won’t work for us at this time. My wife needs close by Medical care. I just hope traffic isn’t stalled so bad that I can’t get her there in time if there is an emergency. Brian, you are right about Fauntleroy, but wrong about 35th, we need all the lanes we can get and even more if they are going to increase density. I hope the bicyclists will campaign to put the bike lanes on one of the side streets. We don’t want to crunch you or worry about you entering a traffic lane suddenly.

sa January 1, 2009 (9:34 pm)

“It amazes me that the powers that be continue to deliberately remove more and more lanes of traffic from your streets and wonder why traffic gets worse and worse. How can it be?”
– Well its called population increase and that’s about it. How many lanes should we ADD to Fauntleroy? Whose land do you want to take to make this possible?

They have already tried reducing and restructuring lanes in other parts of the city and the predicted doom and gloom simply never materialized. Things actually improved. Stone way has actually worked out better for all users. It is simply about using the lanes more efficiently. It is not about speed, but about moving as many vehicles through as possible.

Restructuring Fauntleroy is an idea whose time has absolutely come.

Allie January 2, 2009 (9:19 am)

westmike – please note: the bike lane is between a PARKING lane and a car lane.

devnull January 2, 2009 (4:35 pm)

“It is not about speed, but about moving as many vehicles through as possible”

I’m confused how you move more vehicles with less lanes? That does not make sense to me? Some of my friends live on Rainer Ave between Seattle and Renton were they reduced traffic from 4 down to 2 lanes and it has turned out to be a traffic nightmare. There has been a huge increase in the number of traffic accidents. Go down and watch some of the crazy drivers trying to pass in the center turn lane or even on the right hand shoulder.