Verified on our way back from a meeting in Upper Alki – the new 47th/Admiral/Waite signal is in operation, with street-level “signal revision” signs to catch your attention if the light itself doesn’t do that first. As reported here last night, the “completion celebration” is scheduled for 6:30 pm next Tuesday, July 14th.
Hmm, I zipped through the intersection on my way home around 10:00 tonight and didn’t notice any traffic lights.
I believe this is the intersection where Tatsuo Nakata was struck and killed in 2006 by a motorist talking on his cell phone.
I hope the celebration next week remembers Tatsuo and acknowledges his needless death. It took too long to get this light in place, but hopefully it will prevent future such tragedies.
Yes, it is; I didn’t link here but our very long trail of coverage on this goes back to that.
well, John…maybe you need to pay more attention now thaat you’ve read about it here. I’m betting there will be quite a few who won’t notice because they’re so used to just plowing through that intersection to get where they’re going on Admiral, etc. It will take some getting used to. So…pedestrians beware, north south traffic beware…some people will just fly on through on Admiral per usual…
I was running up Admiral from Alki this morning and right when I got to this intersection, I noticed a line of SUVs whipping around that corner past Alki Mail. I’m sure this light will annoy drivers but I hope it increases safety along that corridor for pedestrians and cyclists.
Regardless of traffic signals or pedestrian right-of-way laws, you should *always* beware when crossing the street. I can’t tell you how many times I see people just step out into the street with their noses buried in there smart phones. And don’t even get me started on the jaywalkers. Don’t parents teach their kids to look both ways before crossing anymore?
I’m very happy to see this up and running. While I sat on Waite St. this morning for a few extra seconds waiting for a green light, when Admiral was clear both ways, it’ll be well worth it on those Saturday evenings when before, you could take a nap waiting for an opening between all the people leaving Alki.
I am concerned though that the “new signal” signs are woefully inadequate. It would be nice if they had more of a blinking caution sign, at least for a few weeks or month. I’m sure a lot of regular users of that road are just going to blow right by the light without even seeing that it’s there.
Agree – we came out of 47th last night and my mother took a turn on to Admiral and didn’t even notice the light. I’m sure it will take a few weeks for drivers to adjust. I myself would have liked to see the lights “blinking” for a few days just to bring awareness to drivers, before turning them on. They have been hanging there, not working, for awhile now.
So there are no traffic revision ahead signs, or blinking amber warnings or anything, just wham, bam a brand new signal? It sounds like a collision in the making. I think someone dropped the ball.
DSA, yes, there are ‘signal revision’ signs, sorry it’s not in my photo. I sat there through multiple cycles after noticing this while eastbound yesterday and people didn’t seem to have a problem stopping in any direction.
i for one welcome our new traffic control overlords. these lights are pretty darn obvious, complete with bright orange casing. If you don’t notice them while driving, you shouldn’t be driving. If you drive a road always expecting no change from the last time you drove it, you probably shouldn’t be driving. pay attention to the world around you, don’t expect everything to be laid out for you, and you’ll have a better time.
Yes, I just went through there and saw an employee adjusting the “signal revision” signs, but no flashing amber ones.
Since Admiral Way is soooo dangerous to cross SDOT spent the money to put in these lights. At the same time they are eliminating 200 parking spots on one side of Admiral Way and making hundreds more people cross to get to their cars…kinda makes you wonder what they are thinking
I thought this signal was for safety of pedestrians crossing Admiral. I’ve noticed it goes red for Admiral traffic when no peds are present and no cross-traffic present, so just to stop cars for no reason. Fustrating. They need to adjust this light to a blinking yellow all the time, (easier to see) with a red light for east/west only when activated by car or pedestrian cross traffic (Ped activated by button on the pole, and car activated by pavement trigger at 47th or Waite stop lines).
Sorry, comment time is over.
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