FOLLOWUP: SDOT cancels 16th/Austin reconfiguration plan

| Highland Park | Puget Ridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

One mini-bulletin from tonight’s HPAC meeting, just wrapping up – SDOT has canceled the plan to reconfigure the 16th/Austin intersection. We reported on it three weeks ago after a reader tip. SDOT’s Sara Zora indicated at tonight’s meeting that they got a lot of feedback, and after their traffic-operations team re-examined the plan, they decided to shelve it. They’ll “continue to monitor” the intersection for collisions or other problems. (Our report on the rest of the HPAC meeting will be published tomorrow.)

Canton March 23, 2022 (9:39 pm)

That is good news, as locals have already figured it out, without formal markings. Sylvan/Dumar has now become the main arterial for west to east travel. Some people heading Dumar or 16th actually need to head south. The cue heading east on Holden gets backed up beyond 16th at times. Just mark that part with left only, and straight south or right turn. That is what people have been doing on our own without paint, and it’s worked just fine, so just paint it that way formally.

AMD March 23, 2022 (9:42 pm)

Glad to hear it. That intersection is problematic, but that plan wasn’t a great solution, particularly for buses.

Chad Tcoque March 23, 2022 (9:58 pm)

REEEE

sharon siva March 24, 2022 (6:24 am)

Yeah!!!!

Patience March 24, 2022 (8:36 am)

YEAH! Many drivers travelling south on 16th want to go south including buses. It is rare that cars turn right onto Austin. Why drive up the hill to go back down the hill, when it’s quicker to turn right at Myrtle (18th onto Orchard) to head west. This intersection near Sanislo was redesigned before the pandemic and is much safer. The bigger issue are the cars coming up Austin who do not yield to those having the green light to go south on 16th.

sam-c March 24, 2022 (9:09 am)

Exactly!

Look Both Ways March 24, 2022 (9:27 am)

Smart decision. Many lingering flow issues will resolve themselves soon after the bridge reopens. Apply the funds and resources to other priorities.

Sarah Airhart March 24, 2022 (9:38 am)

Oh THANK GOODNESS I was so worried about that-it made no sense at all. There is plenty of room for 2 lanes and it usually goes pretty smoothly-unless of course someone blocks the 2nd lane by pulling out to turn right from Austin so they can then turn left at that light….But it’s all good, people are usually civil :)

Kanakitty March 24, 2022 (6:47 pm)

THANK YOU! For all of us who live on Austin and use the alley that exits out onto 16th. We appreciate the cancellation. I had a heart attack when I saw the paint on the ground. It’s hard enough living for the past 2 yrs on one of the busiest streets in WS. This would only add more traffic just trying to exit my driveway! Thank you a million times over for listening to the community! Woohoo!!!

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