FOLLOWUP: New estimate for 35th/Dawson stoplight activation

When last we asked SDOT about an activation timeline for the 35th/Dawson signal – one of the last major features of the 35th SW Safety Project’s Phase 2, announced almost two years ago – the estimate was around Thanksgiving. But now Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and MLK Day have gone by too, and the stoplight hasn’t been activated yet. So here’s a new SDOT update:

We installed the poles for the 35th Ave SW and SW Dawson St signal in late October and have been working with Seattle City Light to power up the signal cabinet. Seattle City Light completed their electrical work last week and the SDOT contractor is now moving through the final phase of activating the signal which includes configuring, inspecting and finalizing the signal cabinet system. If the weather allows it, we anticipate to have the signal operational by the end of February. We also plan to return to this location when the weather warms up in late Spring to complete permanent striping, restore landscaping, and install any remaining signage.

When the plan for this signal was announced in 2018, it was described as something the community had long been requesting – at least a decade.

11 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: New estimate for 35th/Dawson stoplight activation"

  • Rockyraccoon January 22, 2020 (12:22 pm)

    SDOT is horrible. No surprise, no competition, no accountability.

    • Jon Wright January 22, 2020 (2:26 pm)

      SDOT is horrible because City Light took a long time to run power to the signal? There is plenty to be annoyed with SDOT about, but holding them responsible for what other agencies do (or don’t do) seems like a stretch.

      • KM January 22, 2020 (7:50 pm)

        If SDOT cured cancer, people would still complain. It’s comical.

    • Andros January 22, 2020 (4:35 pm)

      It’s a comedy show all around. SDOT,  $ity Light…all of it

  • Sarchka January 22, 2020 (2:21 pm)

    What about the signal at Graham and 35th?  Was supposed to be installed Fall 2019 last update we had.     

  • Aitch January 22, 2020 (5:30 pm)

    Yay! Finally! 

  • Jort January 22, 2020 (5:34 pm)

    This stoplight is nice, but a far cry from what is really needed on this street: a complete redesign that forces cars to drive slower. Unfortunately, Jenny “Cars First” Durkan let the Car Disease Blindness get in the way of keeping people alive.

    • Frank January 22, 2020 (10:37 pm)

      Because driving even more slowly in this city is exactly what we need… During one of the recent City Council debates a Firefighter sat next to me who confirmed his colleagues are losing precious minutes trying to get to heart attack victims…some resulting in fatalities. Not a story you’re going to hear conveyed out of the Mayor’s office.  

      • Jort January 23, 2020 (10:25 am)

        I was unaware that emergency responders had to follow the speed limit, too! That seems pretty counter-intuitive to emergency response! Wow! Fascinating! This is among the hottest takes I’ve seen in a while: “Lower speed limits are KILLING PEOPLE!” WOW!    

  • Don Brubeck January 24, 2020 (8:58 am)

    The signal at Dawson will be welcome.  We have been waiting since 2014 for the  signal at Graham, too, where there have been two fatal collisions in recent years, one killing James St. Clair on foot and one killing Susan Scaringi on a bike.  The West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway  is supposed to provide a bike and walking route safe for all ages and abilities on quieter streets instead of arterials. The route is not safe at Graham and 35th without the signal. So, instead of taking the gentle grade on Graham, bike riders need to use busy, steep, congested Morgan to get to a signalized crossing. What is taking so long?  SDOT’s last update was April, 2019. It says “Updates on the final design and timeline are coming soon.” It’s long past “soon”. How about later?  Like now.

  • Roger jackson January 24, 2020 (9:45 am)

    When I was a kid into up here there was six passing lights between Roxbury and Avalon way. Now I count 17 well I just put one on every block and get it over with

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