Metro proposes change for Route 22 through Gatewood

| Gatewood | Transportation | West Seattle news

While we were at King County Department of Transportation HQ on Thursday afternoon to talk about some of the ongoing routing changes caused by construction, KCDOT’s Linda Thielke mentioned a proposed change was in the works for Route 22 through Gatewood. She didn’t have full details, but they’re out now: Metro wants to take the 22 off about half a mile of residential streets (41st and Ida) and move it to California SW for the full stretch through Gatewood, so that it stays on arterials all the way. Here are the details; note the “online survey” on the right side for comments. If Metro goes through with the change, it’ll take effect in October. (Disclosure, because we always try to let you know when we have skin in the game: WSB HQ is on the proposed new route.)

Aye Jay March 12, 2010 (12:08 pm)

Filled out the survey.
Very simple to put in your $.02

Lynne March 12, 2010 (12:16 pm)

Much safer on California Ave. Great idea.

jr March 12, 2010 (12:48 pm)

I live in the area. I am opposed. I filled out the survey for whatever good that will do.

KBear March 12, 2010 (12:50 pm)

Anybody know why it went down 41st in the first place?

westwood March 12, 2010 (12:55 pm)

Yes–I am told it went up Ida and down 41st because that was the route of the original streetcar that used to be there. That is why Ida is extra wide for that one block.

This reroute makes sense to me.

Courtney March 12, 2010 (1:04 pm)

Just filled it out also. I’ll be so happy if this happens. I live in this neighborhood and when I’m walking the dog on 41st and a bus passes me I often wonder why it isn’t down on California. Makes sense to me also.

villageidiot March 12, 2010 (1:14 pm)

Idiots at Metro need to create more later times for the 22. it’s useless to live around there after 6pm if you ride the bus.

Chuck March 12, 2010 (2:37 pm)

This’ll make my corner quieter – 41st and Ida – and I agree the buses should ride the main streets. I’ll miss having 20 steps to the bus stop. California seems to be a bit of a speedway in that area, so I’d exercise caution when crossing to or from your stop.

sw March 12, 2010 (2:46 pm)

A resounding yes! Full support from a 41st & Holden homeowner.

miws March 12, 2010 (3:29 pm)

villageidiot, the loss of service on the 22 late into the evening, as well as the every 1/2 hour service on Sundays being changed to an hour apart, was thanks to Timmy Eyman’s first Idiotnitiative, 695, years ago.

Mike

miws March 12, 2010 (4:14 pm)

Just filled it out!

Thanks for the heads up on this, WSB!

Mike

David March 12, 2010 (5:05 pm)

I’d prefer it to stay on 41st – the street is essentially an arterial already, with all cross-traffic held off with stop signs, and wider than Cal through this stretch. Better visibility, better options for traffic when the bus pulls over to stop (imagine drivers whipping around an extension bus on Cal that’s only 1/2way to the side, with oncoming cars and sharrowed bikes. Yikes.) 41st busline helps split traffic load through the area too, rather than everything on Cal. Sometimes a quote-unquote arterial isn’t the best option.

Mike F March 12, 2010 (9:35 pm)

I always thought it was odd to leave California and Thistle, but I wonder whether an articulated bus can make the turn at California and Thistle… I expect the residents of the homes at that corner might be less than enthused as well.

m March 13, 2010 (7:23 am)

I agree with everything David says above. When driving I tend to use Holden and 41st ave anyway since they are wider and have less traffic. And no big delay like you get at the light at 35th and Thistle, or at the stop sign at California and Thistle.

Mark March 13, 2010 (11:17 pm)

I’m opposed and deeply saddened by this decision. I take the 22 and enjoy having it be steps from my home. It is convenient and saves me from having to walk in the rain to a stop on California or Thistle. I seriously doubt modifying the route will save any time. Either the bus has a stop at California & Thistle or Holden and 41st. Let’s be serious, the impact to the schedule will be negligible! Let Metro spend their time and money finding better ways to improve service and reduce costs than modify our route…although I would gladly give up the current route for the proposed route if it meant light rail service from West Seattle to downtown!