15 Replies to "Opinion on SW Alaska 'rechannelization'? Running out of time"

• Duane July 28, 2011 (1:46 pm)

  ” SDOT has told WSB they are NOT going to have a public meeting solely devoted to this proposal as they’ve done with two previous “rechannelization” plans (Fauntleroy Way and Admiral Way). The city feels it does not need a public meeting because it already has done “extensive outreach,” according to SDOT’s Jonathan Dong ”

  What a load of BS! In other words, “The SDOT is going to do what they’re going to do inspite of the majority’s objections.”

• WTF July 28, 2011 (2:05 pm)

  Why can’t this gd city leave well enough alone!

• LWC July 28, 2011 (2:26 pm)

  All the other recent rechannelization projects have resulted in safer, quieter streets with little to no negative impact on mobility, despite the protests of a vocal minority. I’m glad SDOT’s not wasting their time and ours holding more public hearings on this: that’s “leaving well enough alone”, in my opinion.

• Paul July 28, 2011 (2:31 pm)

  how about repaving california between alaska and fauntleroy, That’s the only real problem I see when driving around here

• Want to feel safe July 28, 2011 (3:51 pm)

  Thank you, LWC!!! Well said!

• JAT July 28, 2011 (4:09 pm)

  I agree with LWC and Want to feel safe. I wouldn’t presume to be in the majority, but they’ve done scientific polling (not likely)neither should those who feel differently

• rw July 28, 2011 (4:35 pm)

  I never considered that stretch a particular traffic problem, so I don’t see the need, especially in an era of squeezed budgets, to fix something that isn’t broke. And the loss of parking in the business district also ought to be a deal breaker.

  I agree with Paul about making a repave of California sought of the Junction a priority.

• WTF July 28, 2011 (6:42 pm)

  LWC; good point. I’ll take that! :)

• wsguy July 28, 2011 (8:35 pm)

  So of all street issues that Seattle has, the continued reduction of car lanes and parking to accommodate bikes in West Seattle takes precedence. Nice Job Seattle. Mayor McSchwinn strikes again.

  I caught the bus at California & Alaska to downtown for a couple of jobs in the last years and it never seemed to be an issue.

  Here’s a thought – instead of wasting money on this project how about applying the money to Metro and leaving our car tabs alone.

  Or paving California south of the Junction.

  Yup – those bike lanes will be brimming with riders Oct through April while traffic is backed up.

  Get ready for a lot more traffic on Oregon and in the neighborhoods adjacent to Alaska as people try to avoid traffic.

  Almost as dumb as putting speed bumps on the arterial on 48th and reducing speed to 15 mph in spots.

• One More Time July 28, 2011 (11:29 pm)

  The roads are full of potholes but we can make sure the lanes get re-chanelized and curb cuts get put in. The priorities of SDOT are out of whack.

• amused July 29, 2011 (8:24 am)

  This one-term mayor is doing as much damage as he can in a short period of time. And the citizens of Seattle just sit back and let it happen.

• Bryan F July 29, 2011 (11:30 pm)

  I am glad to see these types of efforts, since I try to bike commute occasionally, but know many people who won’t as they don’t feel safe due to poor bike infrastructure (intermittent “sharrows” are not an effective solution). I get frustrated supporting such a car-centric transportation system, and hearing so many complain about the unbelievably low percentage spent on transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, compared to the billions spent on ineffecient and ultimately traffic congestion causing highway systems. If you think adding more lanes and highways is a solution to traffic problems, go drive around LA and reconsider that perspective.

• (required) July 30, 2011 (9:20 am)

  I hope I can be the first to chime in when the city/county/state/federal/whatever donut-chompin’ traffic geniuses try to tackle the real traffic problems in West Seattle: 35th, Admiral, and Roxbury. Now, when the $#%$! is THAT gonna happen? Oh, wait, I know, it’s not time to think about that yet, because not enough people have DIED yet and sued the city for knowingly and recklessly allowing dangerous roads to just keep going….

• JN July 30, 2011 (6:39 pm)

  I think that it would be interesting to most that the state/city spends a lower percentage of it’s budget on cycling/pedestrian infrastructure compared to the actual mode share percentage (1% of transportation budget as opposed to 10% modal share). So, @wsguy, no, cycling is NOT taking precedence in West Seattle, or anywhere for that matter. Please do some research before you comment.

• wsguy July 31, 2011 (9:38 am)

  JN –

  Before calling someone out I would like to suggest that you carefully read the post first. You draw a irrelevant comparison between my comment on increased emphasis for bicycles (pedestrians were not mentioned) and city budget numbers.

  Out of curiosity do the numbers you quote also account for all sidewalk and surface street projects since bicyclists also ride on streets & sidewalks?

  And yes there has been an increase in emphasis in bicycling in West Seattle.

  The new PC is that no one dare question anything to do with bicycling in West Seattle much less the city.

  And the re-channelization as proposed and noted in the WSB WILL car loose lanes and parking to transit AND bicycle lanes.

  I applaud everyone who bikes, wish I could.

  But let’s remember as density in WS grows so will traffic.

Sorry, comment time is over.