Admiral/California traffic followup: New “no parking” zones

That’s one of the new “no parking” signs just put up along eastbound Admiral Way, in front of the businesses on both sides of the Admiral/California intersection. The city was “considering” parking removal as of last fall, back when we had repeated reports/discussions here about traffic troubles at the intersection. Then today, via Twitter, Revolution Coffee and Art reported, “The parking on Admiral in front of Revolution is officially gone now – please don’t park there.” The signs went up today, Revolution confirms.

KSJ February 26, 2010 (1:47 pm)

This sucks for the businesses and the people who frequent them, but it makes some degree of sense for improving traffic.
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But the big problem is that when the eastbound light at Admiral & Calif turns green, the next light to the east at 42nd immediately turns red so only a handful of cars can make it through. When they “fixed” that intersection, apparently that was the big solution. Huh.

DownOnAlki February 26, 2010 (1:47 pm)

I am sure there will be some that disagree with me, but I think this is great news for those of us who want to drive straight through the light rather than sit through multiple cycles to do so – which, yes, is still happening. And, yes, to the comment above – almost never are there three green lights straight through anymore driving eastbound on Admiral……

cathyw February 26, 2010 (2:08 pm)

Yay!

JR February 26, 2010 (2:35 pm)

Just recently I’ve noticed the intersection has been programmed so that designated left signals turn green after the signals for the non-turning-left traffic turn red. I haven’t traveled through that intersection enough lately to notice the improvements this signal timing has made with regard to traffic flow, but twice I’ve been the first car to make the left when the arrow turns green, only to nearly get hit by a car from the opposite direction making a right turn on their red, unaware of or indifferent to the green arrow I’m obeying.
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Having said that, I’m glad to see the new No Parking Zone in effect. Parked cars there create too much of a bottleneck, especially during the afternoon.

Smitty February 26, 2010 (2:45 pm)

Well, if I must say so myself, I’ve been saying this was the issue forever. The convenience for a few was creating these awful backups.

Comrade Obama – make me your traffic Czar!

Zgh2676 February 26, 2010 (2:51 pm)

Great first step! Now if they could adjust the timing of all 3 lights on admiral to let traffic flow freely for a full light cycle, the problems could be gone for good.

Seems simple enough…Much more complicated intersection groups have been made to work flawlessly, this one should be no sweat.

JAT February 26, 2010 (4:01 pm)

In full disclosure, I’ve used those parking spots a couple of times, even though I’ve railed against them in this forum – and they’re darn convenient, but this is the right move.

Now if only we could use the Safeway lot for junction-wide purposes… Maybe Czar Smitty can do something about that.

That reminds me, I have a pair of shoes to pick up at the repair shop – I guess I’ll have to walk…

Jalki February 26, 2010 (4:27 pm)

Unfortunately, this still isn’t going to help move cars headed eastbound with any traffic volume. As mentioned in a previous post, the issue is the light at 42nd. If it doesn’t turn green early enough to clear the cars backed up to California, the eastbound traffic CANNOT get up to speed with the short cycle of the lights. Removing the parking spaces is only going to be effective if the light at 42nd is timed to work with the California light. Get with it SDOT, this is not brain surgery.

miws February 26, 2010 (5:03 pm)

Well JAT, at least you’ll have a freshly repaired pair of shoes to walk back home in! ;)

Mike

on board February 26, 2010 (5:23 pm)

this is great! About time!

AnotherIdiotInWS February 26, 2010 (5:52 pm)

Good decision. Bummer about the coffee shop, though. I hate to see us lose any of the good spots.

JayDee February 26, 2010 (6:09 pm)

I tend to think SDOT is solving a problem they created through the recent “improvements” and agree that 42nd and even the Starbucks signal is problematic. It will be interesting to see how quickly the masses figure out there really is no parking near the dry cleaners.
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On the other hand, this will help alleviate the chaos caused by the driving challenged that blocked traffic while making inept right hand turns.

Ms Evelyn February 26, 2010 (7:36 pm)

Another issue in that area is drivers pulling into Starbuck’s and out of Starbuck’s parking lot. Use your turn signals people and be more CAREFUL there!!!

Westie February 26, 2010 (8:01 pm)

This is great. I was just thinking about this issue as I sat in traffic at that light. I shot bad karma lasers at the two cars parked there keeping me from turning.

To all those that complain that this won’t fix anything, relax. Change comes in increments. Little my little. Wake up. Appreciate effort.

Mike F February 26, 2010 (8:53 pm)

There’s a similar problem on SW Roxbury for the stretch between 16th and 17th. I don’t know why parking there is legal at all.

WSB February 26, 2010 (8:56 pm)

You mean on the eastbound side? I swear they finally no-parking-zoned that – it was certainly discussed often in some of the meetings we cover for White Center Now, such as NHUAC and WCCSC. But maybe I’m delusional; will have to go look.

dwar February 27, 2010 (10:57 am)

All that the Alki drivers really want is a cloverleaf interchange at the California and Admiral intersection so they can speed through the Admiral Urban Village without respect for the local businesses or residents. Slow down and relax — you will get where you are going.

dsa February 28, 2010 (11:47 pm)

Did the city run out of no parking 7-9 am signs?
I don’t understand completely
restricting access to these businesses so that non-shoppers can fly through the neighborhood.

Sorry, comment time is over.