TRAFFIC ALERT: Highland Park Way/Holden work, for new traffic signal because of West Seattle Bridge closure

4:32 PM: Thanks to the tipster who called to let us know about a traffic tie-up at Highland Park Way/Holden because of work crews. This is where SDOT told us on Wednesday that a temporary traffic signal would be installed because the high-rise West Seattle Bridge’s closure has put added stress on the already-busy intersection. We just got here to check and SDOT is in the southbound lane of HP Way on both sides of Holden. Avoid the area.

5:29 PM: We checked with SDOT regarding status. Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “We started work for the signal installation yesterday and are continuing today. We expect to be done sometime next week depending on weather. To give you a better sense of the timing, we began electrical work yesterday and are working on striping today.”

16 Replies to "TRAFFIC ALERT: Highland Park Way/Holden work, for new traffic signal because of West Seattle Bridge closure"

  • jim b March 27, 2020 (4:56 pm)

    It to bad these contractors in the picture don’t seem to know what six feet is.

    • WSB March 27, 2020 (5:46 pm)

      Distancing aside, all the vehicles we saw were SDOT, so I believe those are city workers.

    • Jethro Marx March 27, 2020 (5:54 pm)

      It is pretty clear that many of you do not understand the six foot distance that has been recommended. It is not an aura of virus that emanates like atmospheric plasma to a determined radius and dies. It’s a fairly arbitrary distance that reduces the chances of sneezes and coughs transferring physical droplets from one individual to another. Your subtle jabs at the “contractors'” intelligence bounces off them and sticks to you, so there. Stop complaining and let the professionals work. 

  • bolo March 27, 2020 (5:23 pm)

    Yes, they are definitely on the fast track there, plenty of crew, nobody just standing around, they’re all out there hustling. Cutting the concrete/asphalt was a good sign of things to come.

    • Seth March 27, 2020 (10:54 pm)

      They ARE hustling! Drove through twice tonight – once to drive the spouse to work and another to deliver a forgotten item. Those guys are working furiously. 

  • KayK March 27, 2020 (5:33 pm)

    Pretty darn amazing amount of person power turned out for this intersection work that folks around here have been advocating for YEARS. Kinda ironic.

  • Hebi March 27, 2020 (5:38 pm)

    It only took a plague.

  • 1994 March 27, 2020 (5:57 pm)

    Yah! Good things can still happen! This was hugely needed!

  • Vincent March 27, 2020 (6:47 pm)

    A light is worse than a turning circle

    • Hammer in Hand March 27, 2020 (8:26 pm)

      Sorry we will ha e to get back to youwe must study it first stay tuned

    • 1994 March 27, 2020 (10:00 pm)

      A round about here could be tricky for drivers to enter from Holden to head downhill. If 2 lanes are used on Highland Park Dr uphill there would be an exit only lane onto Holden on the right but then the left lane would continue straight – sounds tricky to enter the turning circle.

      • m March 28, 2020 (2:19 pm)

        The biggest problem with traffic circles is this; they force people to slow down, actually control their vehicle and look out for other road users!  

  • Sarah March 27, 2020 (8:17 pm)

    Why would this only be a “temporary traffic signal”? 

  • ScottAmick March 28, 2020 (5:16 am)

    I assume the temporary title has to do with minimal design having been done and possibly wood poles and wires being used instead of big steel poles with signal arms that a permanent installation would use.  Also probably a lot less new paving for permanent curb ramps and nearby sidewalks.

  • Deborah Wolf March 28, 2020 (9:23 am)

    I hope that this “temporary” installment will be turned into a complete solution per the designed plan. With curbs and landscape. What is there now is NOT curb appeal. These are people’s homes, my home front and center and surrounded by this. Our city council tends to not do anything unless it is an emergency, only cares about doing the bare minimum and then never returning to finish the job. All the while we pay extreme taxes. Disappointing 

  • Sarah March 31, 2020 (7:58 pm)

    That makes sense. It’s only been a few days, but seems to be working well. Perhaps the city can add the more permanent features after it’s been tested like this for awhile (if it continues to be a sound solution.)

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