FOLLOWUP: SDOT starts street markup for Admiral Way Safety Project

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:35 PM THURSDAY: Thanks for the tips: SDOT crews have started marking the roadway for upcoming lane changes as part of the final design of the SW Admiral Way Safety Project. Our photo shows what we found in the 61st SW-62nd SW area when we went by this afternoon. SDOT project reps did not respond to our subsequent request for an update on the construction schedule; during the August 20th walk-and-talk meetings (WSB coverage here), they had promised to get that information out “soon.” The project page says only that work will be done in “late summer/early fall.” The final design was announced via e-mail on July 21st.

The first version of the plan was unveiled in April 2015 at an Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting. Much neighborhood criticism ensued, especially concern over the city underestimating how much Admiral Way parking is needed for residents and visitors; the city re-evaluated and then held a second and final community meeting in July of last year.

At the walking tours last month, the focus was on the possibility of added pedestrian improvements along the route, and the project webpage says tomorrow (September 2nd) is the deadline to make suggestions along that line – go there to see how.

ADDED 11:43 AM FRIDAY: Finally heard back from SDOT. This “preparatory work” will continue into next week, says spokesperson Norm Mah: “We are looking to start construction toward the end of the month and will provide a 3-week notice prior to beginning construction.”

SpaceDust September 1, 2016 (8:23 pm)

Yea, SDOT making traffic worse and not listing to tax payers.

Some roads have worked fine for over 50 years, then SDOT “thinks” it has a better idea. West Seattle population has doubled in the past 25 years and all we get is a FAILED road diet.

I sat through two green lights on 26th and Roxbury last night trying to take a left turn…Then forced my way through a pink light. Before the Road Diet…I made to through on the first green.

SDOT is controlled by the City Council…Time to vote these people out.

Chris September 2, 2016 (4:39 am)

We are so not looking forward to this change. It may not be noticed as much now as weather is calming. We agree, this has worked for years and SDOT just will not listen to concerns. Just yesterday had to dodge out of way of speeders wanting to be on our bumper and the turn lane was the only way to get out of the way. We counted 4x as we went back and forth yesterday. So wish they would leave things alone and quit wasting our tax dollars. So many other things needing attention around West Seattle. For instance, the road right in front of the Fire Department with the BIG pot holes. Why is it our Fire Department has to deal with these big pot holes in front of their building as they pull out their fire engines? What a waste and a headache coming with these changes to the road. Though we do not live on Alki itself, we feel for those that do with this change. Now with the new care center going in and the extra traffic that will bring and more residents in West Seattle plus….. This all just not does make any sense to us. So agree with SpaceDust.
Chris September 2, 2016 (10:05 am)

There is lots of speeding on Admiral…..got out of the way of one on bumper almost trying to push us out of the way as we legally went 30. We were just about at the speed sign and they were going 47!! Is this going to create more road rage because those of us going the speed limit are slowing them down? And taking away the turn lanes on such a busy road….we just do not get it…..

QC September 1, 2016 (9:35 pm)

Thank you, SDOT, for prioritizing safety on Admiral.

Mark September 1, 2016 (9:50 pm)

And why did SDoT spend tax dollars repainting portions of this street recently?

Mike September 3, 2016 (12:19 pm)

That’s the guy that sits next to the guy that decided to do this project. A bunch of yes men/women and headed up by more zealots. Many don’t even care to process how dumb these decisions are. Those government employees that do care leave and work for a company where they have actual impact.

Tedb310 September 2, 2016 (6:14 am)

This like the road diets and other “traffic calming measures” as they’re referred to are all the result of a small but not insignificant number of drivers that just refuse to slow the eff down. I moved back to north admiral last winter after living in other parts of West Seattle since ’08 and when I moved in California north of admiral was beaten to pulp this kept most people’s speed down to about 25 mph. Recently SDOT has made a lot of repairs and now people are doing 40.

Mabuhay September 2, 2016 (8:36 am)

Two things:

Metro refreshed the paint on two of the three bus stops at 61st Ave SW and Admiral– the one they did not has been a money maker all summer long for traffic enforcement. It’s unclear where the zone enlds so people parking have been cited unfairly . If they were repainting zones, why not do all of them?

Turning east (left) from 61st on to Admiral is already a huge safety issue–people driving west are speeding like mad. Without a turn lane as a safe harbor I predict many more crashes . SDOT should be monitoring .

Norma September 2, 2016 (10:54 am)

Wat a lovely mess SDOT has made.

Pops September 2, 2016 (3:15 pm)

Police enforce traffic laws? Aside from Admiral hill I don’t see it. It seems these saftey improvements are happening all over WS because no or not enough enforcement takes place. The danger IMO is not the road but the lax enforcement and entitled attitudes. People will speed and take advantage if not held accountable. I think that’s how we got to where we are today. A lot of bad habits have formed on a large scale. In other words, “fix” the road so we don’t have to patrol it.

Sorry, comment time is over.