FOLLOWUP: SDOT says it’s finally ready to make ‘near-term’ changes while Fauntleroy Boulevard project remains on hold

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Exactly one year ago, we covered a community meeting addressing the subject of whether “near-term improvements” would be made in the Fauntleroy Boulevard project zone while the full-scale project remains on hold awaiting light-rail routing decisions. (That decision was made a year and a half ago.) Now, the decision is final – some work will be done, and soon. The flyer above (also here in PDF) shows the plan. Here’s the announcement from SDOT:

This summer we will be making some minor improvements along Fauntleroy Way SW. While the full Fauntleroy Boulevard Project continues to hold pending Sound Transit’s alignment for light rail to West Seattle, we have worked with key stakeholders to design near-term improvements that will improve safety and mobility. For a list of improvements, please see the (above) flyer and visit the project website.

This work will not conflict, nor add to the impact of the 35th/Avalon project. Most of our improvements involve no more than one day of work at each location, and will take place during off-peak hours. We’ve also coordinated this work with the 35th/Avalon project so we don’t work when they have major impacts scheduled.

Tomorrow (Friday), we’ll begin notifying businesses and properties in the area about the expected timeline for construction and what they should expect.

We’ll be following up so we can report those specifics too.

M July 25, 2019 (8:29 pm)

This is what I get for my tax dollars with the Move Seattle Levy?

Drive and Ride Awaiting Light Rail July 25, 2019 (9:38 pm)

As I review the pdf for changes, they look to be threefold: 1) Put in better markings for crosswalks (good for safety.) 2) Add 4 parking spots on busy arterial during off peak hours. If that is good, why not make 6 spots during rush hour. (Sarcasm.) Fauntleroy traffic is bad most days, most times and emit a lot of green house gases being backed up waiting through signal cycles, especially on weekends. Yes, I do bike when I can. 3) Eliminate right turn onto Fauntleroy from Avalon. Hmmm. Might be selfish on my part, but that is my escape route from the Starbucks drive through (two rights – out of lot and one on to Fauntleroy, make a wrong. Can’t wait for the cluster mess on Avalon as people exit the Starbucks lot. Guess I can sit and enjoy my Starbucks and create more back up and green house gas emissions (More sarcasm.) In the end, wish I could be more optimistic. Fixing the crosswalks, pavement (holes/gaps/cracks) and lack of landscape maintenance are my greatest concerns….

KM July 25, 2019 (10:16 pm)

Is the slip lane closed AND are right turns banned from Avalon onto Fauntleroy? I read it as just the former, though it’s a tight angle. I hate watching drivers nearly nail pedestrians in that slip lane, ugh.
Lee July 25, 2019 (10:30 pm)

The traffic calming is absolutely welcome on Fauntleroy. The slip lanes and 45 degree intersections are a nightmare for pedestrians, and the routine speeding leads to routine red light running at every single light on that stretch.

Kathy July 25, 2019 (9:56 pm)

No mention of putting curb cuts on 37th Ave SW and Fauntleroy so that people in wheelchairs or on bikes don’t have to try and jump the curb? Hopefully that is an oversight.

Lee July 25, 2019 (10:35 pm)

This is great. There are numerous businesses that I really like along that stretch, but the chaos on the roadway makes it feel like a huge risk walking up that way. These changes aren’t dramatic, but I think it will really help make it more walkable. Slowing down some of those intersections will also make it safer driving. Wish they could do something to prevent people from constantly veering over the centerline going around the bend at Alaska.

Hah July 25, 2019 (10:50 pm)

At least half of what is mentioned doesn’t amount to more than a coat of paint and mowing of grass every once in a while.Shameful. Just shameful. The city and SDOT continue to neglect our infrastructure.

Chemist July 26, 2019 (1:04 am)

Well, the flier does make it look like they’re going to majorly reconfigure the N end of 39th and route the Westbound direction of Fauntleroy through what was Trader Joe’s…. or there’s a slight misalignment in the photo overlays in that 18 mb pdf.
Peter July 26, 2019 (8:13 am)

You can thank those who screamed and cried and gnashes their teeth until they forced the delay.

MrB July 26, 2019 (7:16 am)

This is exactly why I’m not voting for CM Herbold, who was instrumental in getting this project delayed. The “Sound Transit” excuse was ridiculous and a total failure of leadership . The entrance to West Seattle is ugly and the infrastructure is failing. I’m hoping new leadership will get this project moving again along with other badly needed repaving projects. (35th, Barton, Roxbury, Fauntleroy). It is shameful the state of our roads in West Seattle considering the significant tax base that exists.

old timer July 28, 2019 (12:31 pm)

West Seattle is not alone with neglected roadways.The entire city is plagued with decaying roads.On our way to world-class, third world that is.
KM July 28, 2019 (1:40 pm)

So you’re planning on voting for one of the two other candidates who think the city is overspending on projects and who want conservative spending, including one who said SDOT was the first place he would cut in the city budget?

Azimuth July 26, 2019 (8:33 am)

An elevated freeway on Fauntleroy would be great.

Chemist July 26, 2019 (11:45 am)

If you want an elevated freeway for trains over Fauntleroy, you’ll love Sound Transit’s representative alignment.

Don Brubeck July 30, 2019 (5:03 pm)

The intersection safety improvements
are good news for people on bikes and on foot, especially at SW Alaska/Fauntleroy and
at 36th/Avalon/Fauntleroy. This is West Seattle’s densest and fastest growing area, and it’s busiest street. We need these intersections to be safe, to encourage people to walk and bike to shopping, bus stops and work. It will be nice to see the full project completed after ST3 route is selected, but meanwhile this is a good start.

Sorry, comment time is over.