FOLLOWUP: Timeline for completion of California/Findlay stoplight and other changes

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT photos)

After reporting last weekend that the California/Findlay “half-signal” was taking shape, we followed up with SDOT to get the timeline for completion of the installation – including other traffic-calming features – and activation. We finally got some information from SDOT today, after crews spent part of the day out at the intersection marking the layout for the street changes including a median island (top photo) and painted curb bulbs.

SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says the median and curb bulbs will be installed after the pedestrian-activated signal is up and running, As for how soon that will be, he says as soon as possible, but they need to complete electrical work, which could happen this weekend if there’s a break in the expected rainy weather. He says the road markings could be painted as soon as this weekend, too. (Here’s backstory on the project.)

KC October 20, 2022 (9:51 pm)

This is welcome and long over due! Lots of Ped traffic with the c line stop on both side of California AveI work in the areaThere are on a daily bases there are near misses and the the occasional t-boneIt pains me say say this but… good job SDOT

Chemist October 21, 2022 (12:18 am)

I’m disappointed that the “island” ended up so close to the intersection there’s no longer a functional turn pocket for California NB to Findlay WB. I’d hoped it’d be at least 20 or 30 ft from the crosswalk since the goal is really to prevent drivers from passing the stopped SB C buses while it blocks usage of the center turn lane for long distances.

Dustin October 21, 2022 (9:03 am)

At least they’re not blocking the entire turn lane like they did with parts of Delridge where the bus now has to stop at every address on garbage collection day. And turning left from the right lane is only a problem for the drivers lining up behind you.

Wendell October 21, 2022 (10:02 am)

Can we get the crosswalk up the street at Rite Aid fixed, too? I’ve been almost plowed over quite a few times in both of these excuses for crosswalks. Some drivers look as if they’re wondering why I’m in the middle of the road while they’re barreling through.

JW October 21, 2022 (11:09 am)

With rising pedestrian injuries despite all of these enhancements, it appears the Vision Zero focus on costly modifications of Seattle streets is not working.
I remember back in the 70s – 80s when Seattle was notorious for jaywalking enforcement.
You jaywalk, you get ticketed.
This as well as most other traffic safety enforcement has been all but eliminated.
The callous disregard of traffic laws, road rage incidents and chaos we now experience on a daily basis stem from lack of enforcement of the laws still on the books.
Just a few years ago, we rarely saw cars parked in the wrong direction. Now some blocks are corner to corner cars parked wrong way.
It is not uncommon to see wrong way vehicles on major thoroughfares such as California, Delridge, 35th, even Alki.
It is no longer possible to safely parallel park because cars do not yield as required.
Driving more than 300 feet down the center left turn lane is also prohibited, but not enforced.
Using “emergency flashers” to double park in traffic lanes also not allowed, never enforced.
U-Turns and “Three Point Turnarounds” now common in the Junction are also illegal.
I received my first driving citation, when my mother had me stop in front of Husky’s where my sister was working to grab a gallon of milk. That was in 1970! And there were motorcycle units actually enforcing the laws!
I marvel at how rapidly people abandon common sense safety codes when they are not enforced.

Odd son October 21, 2022 (2:05 pm)

Totally agree. And these changes to intersections create more problems than they solve.
reckoner October 21, 2022 (4:57 pm)

I hate to break it to you but traffic deaths were much, much higher back in the 70s and 80s in Seattle. Today’s vehicles are much safer than they were in that era, and street designs are generally safer these days too.
- WS Res October 22, 2022 (4:22 pm)
  
  What? Everything was better in the past! j/k

Sillygoose October 21, 2022 (11:32 am)

Does SDOT know what the term “free right” means? They never put in a turn arrow, block the curb so you cant take a free right anymore. SDOT is the traffic flow problem.

K October 21, 2022 (10:20 pm)

The goal here is to make the intersection safer. Free rights/right turns on red are dangerous for pedestrians. Hopefully in the future the default law will be no right on red unless marked, the reverse of what we have now. Let’s slow down and look out for each other out there.
- Sillygoose October 22, 2022 (9:02 am)
  
  Another deficit in SDOT Street designs they don’t stagger pedestrian walk with turn signals. Have you ever traveled New Orleans thee absolute best street planning!!!

Vanessa October 21, 2022 (1:21 pm)

Anything helps to get the maniac speeders on California Ave. to slow down. Delivery trucks and construction workers in their pick up trucks are the culprits most of the time.

DeeJay October 22, 2022 (11:12 am)

yet again, waste of taxpayer money. There’s already a marked xwalk here, there’s already overhead warning sign, and a flashing warning lite, and now this. I guess when this does not work, they’re just shut down the entire road. Typical SDOT incompetence. There is NO reason for a pedestrian traffic light here, at all. What we really need is stricter driver license requirements: the basic driver ed needs serious revamp, a license renewal should require a written test EVERY SINGLE TIME, and add more frequent hands on driving test. More inconvenient and expensive for each driver? Yes – it should be! Let’s finally take driving seriously people! This country takes driving way to lax.