Road reminders: 16th SW closure; Admiral Way feedback deadline

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Two road reminders today: FIRST: The photo was taken this morning along 16th SW, north of South Seattle Community College, where the Brandon-to-Dawson section is now officially closed as work begins on another section of road rebuilding/repaving work. The city’s webpage for the project has a schedule of what happens and when, with work scheduled to last about two months. Go here to see the detour map. SECOND: If you have something to say to the city about the proposed Admiral Way “road diet”/”rechannelization” (here’s our report on the city’s “open house” 2 weeks ago), be sure to say it before tomorrow. As pointed out in a WSB Forums discussion, the city has set July 27th – tomorrow – as the deadline for comments – e-mail walkandbike@seattle.gov or call 206-684-7583. (The city project page also says, “These changes, as modified in response to public comments, are scheduled to take place in late summer 2010.”)

tk July 26, 2010 (6:12 pm)

Concerning the proposed Admiral Way “road diet” (narrowing to one lane down the hill/southbound)-
I think SDOT has lost sight of the fact that Admiral Way is still the only designated “Principal Arterial” for the north end of West Seattle (the others are Fauntleroy, 35th and Delridge, which all have less daily traffic than Admiral Way, except for Fauntleroy/north of Alaska). Commuters on busses, commercial vehicles and yes, even cars are the 25,000+ users who depend on this arterial to travel from West Seattle to Seattle and beyond. By contrast, SDOT reports that there are 21 daily bicycles and 8 total bus riders which are given as justification for these proposed changes.

In a technical analysis for crosswalk safety projects (completed in 2007), SDOT considered reducing the number of lanes on Admiral Way, but concluded, “However, given the importance of Admiral Way SW as a motor vehicle travel route, SDOT could not recommend a reduction in the number of travel lanes at this time.”
What has changed since this SDOT analysis in 2007? Admiral Way still is the only principal arterial for all of the north Admiral district. Where is the SDOT report which has changed this determination?

Please be sure to send in your comments to SDOT before the July 27th deadline:
walkandbike@seattle.gov, or call 206-684-7583

sam July 26, 2010 (7:40 pm)

re WSB text: “a schedule of what happens and when, with work scheduled to last about a month” …

the SDOT project page lists it lasting til Sept. 27, including final pavement overlay then. sounds like TWO months to me. what am I missing ?

I wonder how people are enjoying the extra walk to catch the 125 downtown.

WSB July 26, 2010 (8:14 pm)

They either changed the page since this morning OR I mis-read. Will update to two months, if that’s what it says now, thanx – TR

D July 27, 2010 (9:28 am)

“What has changed since this SDOT analysis in 2007?” The mayor, of course. Mayor Gridlock won’t be happy until all drivers are so miserable, they run screaming from their cars. And remember, that bicycle figure was taken on a sunny and warm summer day. Eight bike riders was the city’s figure from January, and that seems much more accurate for the majority of the year.

Kathy August 11, 2010 (7:34 pm)

I am an “old lady” (turning 60 this year) who bikes Admiral Way a minimum of two days per week year round. For safety reasons, I bike on the the sidewalk on the northbound uphill leg, however I am frequently forced to return to the street at that dangerous curve near the Totem Pole to avoid hitting pedestrians at the Admiral Way Viewpoint. The other direction, going toward downtown on the big Admiral Way hill with no bike path or sidewalk, is just plain scary, with two lanes of speeding downhill traffic and lane-jockeying cars. I have noticed over the years that bike traffic is definitely increasing on Admiral Way. I don’t understand the pessimistic talk about biking not being feasible up hills or during cool cloudy or rainy days provided there is a safe bike route; I believe that unless a person is severely disabled, it’s mostly a psychological, not a physical barrier that prevents them from trying it. It’s not all that hard going up most hills in West Seattle if you have a low gear, and it adds a little aerobic component to your commute which you need for general fitness. You can go slow if necessary and if a section is too steep you can get off and walk a while. And the rain cools you off. Snow can be challenging, but only on the downhill trip.

Sorry, comment time is over.