WEST MARGINAL WAY: New intersection plan; bicycle-lane update

More news from this month’s West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting in addition to low-bridge access expansion and SW Alaska paving: Two West Marginal Way updates.

WMW/HIGHLAND PARK WAY INTERSECTION: SDOT’s Trevor Partap announced the plan you see above for more rechannelization and signal changes at the busy West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way intersection. They will also be upgrading the communications technology so they’ll be better able to monitor the traffic flow and change the signal timing remotely if necessary. These improvements will remain even after the bridge reopens. They’re working on design right now, with construction in the second half of the year.

And the Task Force got updates on two other areas of West Marginal:

FURTHER NORTH ON WMW: In addition to the ongoing plan for a temporary crossing signal near the Duwamish Longhouse, which will be installed in “late summer/fall,” some sidewalk work in the area will start soon. That is separate from the not-yet-decided issue of the Duwamish River Trail connection, which may or may not result in a protected bicycle lane replacing the southbound curb lane. Latest on that is that SDOT is still “finalizing data analysis” and was scheduled to take walking tours this week with members of the Seattle Freight Advisory Board, which opposes the proposal. “We have been hearing a lot” on all sides, SDOT says. The decision is now expected by the “end of this quarter.” If you haven’t commented yet, WestSeattleBridge@seattle.gov is the address.

8 Replies to "WEST MARGINAL WAY: New intersection plan; bicycle-lane update"

  • Eldorado April 10, 2021 (6:55 am)

    It’s about dang time they put a right turn arrow for west bound travelers turning onto west marginal way. 

  • CarDriver April 10, 2021 (7:00 am)

    SDOT epic fail again. The improvements to WMW/HPW are much needed!! BUT…………….check out their schedule…finished not long before high bridge will reopen and takes a lot of pressure off this intersection.  Are their ANY politicians with the will to make SDOT accountable??? Quick answer: NO!

  • John H April 10, 2021 (9:59 am)

    Wow, took them long enough.How about some traffic cameras that give people tickets for running the red lights and block the intersection.It would also help a lot if people learned how their bad driving habits contribute to the congestion at this intersection – you know, those who at the head of the line a late to get going when the light turns, people that leave a long space in front of them until starting to move, people that let cars shoot to the head of the line because they leave too much space in front of them., etc., etc.

    • bolo April 10, 2021 (3:10 pm)

      “…people that let cars shoot to the head of the line because they leave too much space in front of them.” ???????????????????????????????

      • Auntie April 10, 2021 (5:01 pm)

        Exactly. If you are sitting two (or sometimes three) car lengths behind the car in front of you (probably looking at your cell phone), it just leaves space for line-cutting scofflaws to jump in when they should have had to wait at the back of the line like everyone else. They are counting on people doing just that. I’m not saying to tailgate the car in front of you, but don’t leave enough room for anyone that can’t be bothered to wait to cut in. If everyone would crowd them out (which is not being discourteous – they are the rude ones) they would eventually figure it out. Maybe…

        • KBear April 10, 2021 (6:23 pm)

          Actually, people driving bumper to bumper is what causes backups. Zipper merging makes the most efficient use of available lanes and allows for the fastest flow of traffic. If you’re not leaving room for anyone to merge, you’re part of the problem. 

          • KM April 10, 2021 (6:43 pm)

            I think they’re referring to people who leave huge gaps in front of them while stopped or slowing to a stop prior to the concrete divider (SB on WMW), and have people cut in at the last minute, often over that faded solid white line & dividers. That’s not a merge, it’s an (illegal) lane change. As a side note, a personal favorite of mine are the people who stop a few car lengths back because they cannot wait an additional second to stop their car and text, then get honked at when the light turns because they aren’t paying attention, and run the red light. A red light camera is sorely needed here.

          • Auntie April 10, 2021 (8:44 pm)

            I believe I said I did not advocate tailgating (i.e. bumper to bumper). There’s a big difference between zipper merging and zooming up to the front of the queue and barging in. Zipper merging is sensible and polite. The other is just plain rude and inconsiderate. I am happy to allow other lanes to merge – but I will not allow a line-cutter to push me aside at the last minute. I know there is always going to be someone in front of me, but if I have anything to say about it, it will be a polite, legal correct merger – not a last-minute entitled jerk.

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