MAYOR’S BUDGET: $3.5 million proposed for Highland Park Way/Holden

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s proposed 2020 budget is out and we’re browsing it in search of West Seattle specifics. One of her office’s accompanying news releases singles one out: $3.5 million for long-in-search-of-funding Highland Park Way/Holden improvements. The money would come from the city’s “Mercer Megablock” sale proceeds, according to page 5 of the SDOT budget doc (PDF):

City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office points out that this provides a “clear funding source” for funding she wrote into a supplemental budget amendment in August (specifics here).

The big question is – what will this money buy? The mayoral news release says the work will “includ(e) intersection modifications at Highland Park Way and SW Holden Street with traffic calming, new sidewalks and curb ramps, and new transit stops.” As we reported in May, the estimate for the long-proposed roundabout jumped to more than $7 million, with signalizing the intersection estimated at $3 million. We’ll be following up on that, and other budget details of West Seattle interest.

Michele September 23, 2019 (4:48 pm)

That is fantastic news. WSB thanks for all the coverage.

Dale Rowe September 23, 2019 (7:30 pm)

Glad they may get something done, as I travel through there twice a day, and it can be treacherous. But would love to see a breakdown of how the money is planned to be spent. 7 million dollars is insane, no matter what they plan to do. I could get a couple buddies and we’d have a traffic circle built by next weekend.

Olafur September 23, 2019 (7:56 pm)

I won’t get excited until I see what it is we’re really getting for “only” $3.5 million. The roundabout would be nice, but a red-green signal (as opposed to flashing yellows) would still be better than just more painted lane markings. As the intersection currently exists, drivers turning left from eastbound Holden to Highland are unable to get a clear view of traffic in the inside lane coming uphill on Highland, because it is obscured by cars in the outside lane turning west onto Holden. As a result, drivers waiting to make the left from eastbound Holden must focus too much of their attention on the uphill traffic and forget to watch for northbound traffic turning left (west) onto Holden. This wasn’t so bad years ago when there was less traffic, but it’s gotten really bad over the last few years. Another example of Seattle roadways designed by people who’ve clearly never driven a car.

Question Authority September 23, 2019 (8:06 pm)

For far less than $3.5 million you could teach all the drivers who pass thru that intersection how to actually operate a vehicle, and read the posted signs.

Olafur September 23, 2019 (10:02 pm)

Sadly, I can’t disagree with you – most of us, including both you and me, QA, could use some retraining. However, that wouldn’t fix the inherently and dangerously bad sightlines of this intersection.
MV September 27, 2019 (6:49 pm)

You obviously don’t live near that intersection.

DM September 23, 2019 (8:19 pm)

Great news!

Jose September 24, 2019 (10:19 am)

Millions of dollars for this project? Loco, loco. Sounds absurd!

Rob September 27, 2019 (7:42 am)

Agree with Olafur- sidewalks , curb ramps, and new transit stops aren’t going to do anything to address the safety and traffic volume issues. That’s like painting a broken down car. This intersection needs signals and improved lane configs, and it has for a number of years now; our council representation has completely dropped the ball on this.