West Seattle traffic: 48th SW speed bumps close to installation

12:25 PM: The 48th Avenue SW straightaway through Seaview toward Genesee is about to get bumpier – on purpose. SDOT confirms that the four sets of speed bumps – one per block between SW Graham and SW Brandon – are scheduled to be installed today, in the places where the road was recently painted (as shown in our Tuesday photo above) to show their planned placement. According to SDOT’s Rick Sheridan, “There will be a total of 16 cushions installed – four from curb to curb on each of the four blocks. The speed cushions are designed to calm traffic while still allowing buses and emergency vehicles to maneuver without difficulty. We plan to carry out the installation today, however, the department is still awaiting the delivery of materials needed for the work.”

5:21 PM UPDATE: Went back to 48th SW to check:

We found an SDOT crew working on part of the road, but it looked like repairs, not installation. Maybe tomorrow.

24 Replies to "West Seattle traffic: 48th SW speed bumps close to installation"

  • Darren P July 20, 2011 (12:46 pm)

    We sure could use them on the street where I live. People use it as a bypass and fly through.

  • kate July 20, 2011 (1:03 pm)

    I live near the speed bumps on Beach Dr and I’ve noticed that they result in a lot of unsafe driving. More often than not, drivers swerve around them trying to get their tires to fit in between the bumps. They cross over the double yellow line without a second thought. I ride my bike through there and I have to be extra careful near the bumps because drivers swerve into me not realizing that I’m at the side of the road. Not a fan of the bumps.

  • jennie July 20, 2011 (1:04 pm)

    similar thoughts here, does anyone know how to go about getting these or roundabouts in your neighborhood?

  • BDD July 20, 2011 (1:35 pm)

    It basically takes an act of god to get these installed in your neighborhood. Best of luck working with SDOT.

  • Fred Johnson July 20, 2011 (1:36 pm)

    Apparently there is/are no budget issues in Seattle if SDOT has discretionary funds to throw away on this “squeaky wheel” project.

    A couple of questions: Why isn’t SPD patrolling this road if speed is an issue? How much is being spent / how much does it cost?

  • CMS July 20, 2011 (2:08 pm)

    I’d love to see so much as a speed limit sign on the Roxbury Street Expressway – let alone speed humps. It must take some serious community organizing and/or local property values to get such action taken.

    • WSB July 20, 2011 (2:20 pm)

      By the way, this project was sought by neighbors who pursued a Neighborhood Projects Fund allocation for it, according to the Morgan Community Association and SDOT (if any questions about it, I’d bet you can ask at tonight’s quarterly MoCA meeting, 7 pm in The Kenney’s downstairs meeting room, as mentioned in the morning preview) … TR

  • datamuse July 20, 2011 (2:44 pm)

    Fred, do you really think an SPD patrol is cheaper than speed bumps?

  • squareeyes July 20, 2011 (3:08 pm)

    I was at the meeting to discuss the speed cushions. The resident who submitted the application did so two years ago. The wheels turn slowly but his proves that they do turn.

  • george July 20, 2011 (3:20 pm)

    Its an arterial!! If you want to slow people down, put in a stop sign. But these road bumps are worthless as people will just go around them, or worse, cut through true residential streets to avoid them. An arterial is an arterial. Obey the speed limit and we don’t have these problems, otherwise, we just shift them in another direction.

  • Fred Johnson July 20, 2011 (3:23 pm)

    datamuse

    SPD is already “on the clock” so to speak. No additional monies spent unless it’s OT.

  • watertowerjoey July 20, 2011 (3:26 pm)

    Seriously thinking about buying those power cord covers for our street called “yellow jackets” like were used at summer fest.

    People who are too lazy to use the artials and then have the audacity to speed make me very angry!

    One of these days I will follow them home and speed up and down their (residential) street!

  • foy boy July 20, 2011 (4:46 pm)

    You want people to slow down on your street? Well just take thin rope and tie it to a stuffed animal. then at dusk put the stuffed animal across your street. Then sit and wait for some hot rod to come down your street. Then yank it out into the street. That will get there attention. One thing though don’t have your car parked on the street, you’ll know why.

  • Pokey July 20, 2011 (11:23 pm)

    The cheapest and most effective way of slowing down traffic is the method used on California Av SW between Fauntleroy and the Alaska Junction. Keep growing the potholes and rough road, then every once in a while, just call a tow truck to pull someone out of their abyss. Works great and the only cost is to the individual to get their car repaired.

  • Cecelia Lehmann July 21, 2011 (10:05 am)

    The street that I live on has speed bumps. Funny thing is they repaired the street of it’s disintegrated pavement only to put the speed bumps in. What is really annoying is this street is an arterial.

    I really, really hate them. Speed is an issue on the street I live on, but where they installed them has nothing to do with the worse part of the street.

    As one of the previous posters pointed out, the driving conditions are not improved but IMO more unsafe. People speed between the bumps then SLAM on the breaks. They straddle the center to avoid going full over the bump, and a couple of the speed bumps are near blind curve. It’s insane.

  • TJ July 21, 2011 (11:18 am)

    George is completely right. I’ve already been switching my commute to 47th in the two days that 48th has been closed to install these annoying bumps. If the homeowner who requested these nuisances didn’t want faster traffic, he or she shouldn’t have bought a home **on an arterial**.

  • Bettytheyeti July 21, 2011 (1:01 pm)

    Thank you WSB for pointing out to ALL, esp. @George what constitutes “an arterial.” Notice the broken yellow line, unlike the the solid yellow line on 35th Avenue. 48th Avenue is also ONE LANE “collector” or minor arterial. Not unlike the other “collector” Beach Drive that is much wider and also has speed cushions.

  • Danny July 21, 2011 (2:19 pm)

    Speed bumps are a massive waste of money and cause unnecessary wear and tear to peoples vehicles. Once in a while someone drives a little fast down my street too. Guess what I do? Nothing. I have more important things to do.

  • fiocamp July 21, 2011 (9:02 pm)

    TJ: I did not request the bumps on 48th but am all for them. On our block on 48th there are at least 8 kids. 2 weeks ago I witnessed 2 lowered lame cherry bomb muffled cars dragging each other and one tried to pass the other on the rise. Telling somebody they should have not have bought a house on arterial is akin to telling somebody if they don’t like gang violence that they should move to a better part of town. The choice is not so cut and dry.
    HOWEVER: These bumps they built are worthless. Drove them all at speed without a hitch. I saw a Mini cooper go over them fast with no problem. Why couldn’t we get the bumps they have on Beach Drive? I guess our houses are worth less than those…

  • 48res July 21, 2011 (9:38 pm)

    I agree fiocamp – when I first saw them, I thought they weren’t finished yet! If they are finished, they are a total waste!

  • Bettytheyeti July 22, 2011 (11:35 am)

    When Lowman Beach AKA Myrtle CSO construction begins next summer, I will be surprised if 48th Avenue ‘collector’ arterial is collecting any traffic.

    • WSB July 22, 2011 (11:41 am)

      Funny you should mention that – update in the works, from project manager briefing at MoCA this week.

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