Noticed work at 35th/Avalon? Here’s what’s changing there and nearby

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

We photographed that crew working today at 35th/Avalon, and already had an inquiry out to SDOT after a tip Monday from Jon. Today, SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson gave us this outline of what’s changing there – and nearby:

Our traffic signals crews are currently working to replace signal-control equipment and make operational improvements at three nearby intersections. If all goes well, we expect the work at all three signals will likely be completed by the end of the day:

35th Ave SW & SW Avalon Way: We are replacing signal-control equipment and adding a northbound right-turn arrow at 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way. This improvement was requested by King County Metro to help with transit operations.

35th Ave SW & Fauntleroy Way SW: We are replacing signal-control equipment and adding a leading pedestrian interval (also sometimes called a pedestrian-first walk signal) to the intersection of 35th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW. This is a safety improvement that gives people walking across the street a few seconds head start before cars get a green light, making pedestrians more visible to people driving. Citywide collision data indicates there has been a 50% drop in pedestrian turning collisions at the intersections where we’ve added this safety feature.

SW Avalon Way & Fauntleroy Way SW: We are replacing signal-control equipment, but there will not be a noticeable change to the way the signal operates from the public’s perspective.

Note: We already added leading pedestrian intervals to the other two intersections a few months ago. We have also recently readjusted the signal timing to give pedestrians more time to cross the street at all three locations.

Alex January 10, 2023 (2:39 pm)

Sometimes I’ll treat myself to the Starbucks drivethru just before getting on the bridge. It used to be easy access by turning right onto Avalon when exiting Starbucks and then right on Fauntleroy to approach the bridge, Why oh why is the right turn onto Fauntleroy blocked off? It made sense during Bridge closure, but I expected it to be reopened by now.

CAM January 10, 2023 (4:34 pm)

There is no right turn there permanently because people didn’t look before turning right and pedestrians frequently had to jump out of the way (spoken as a frequent user of that crosswalk).

West is Best Seattle January 11, 2023 (7:33 am)

It would be nice if a left turn signal or restricted left turn hours were added to northbound 35th at the Avalon intersection. Not having a left turn arrow or any restrictions causes large backups during high traffic times. It also causes people trying to go straight through the intersection to crowd the right hand lane then quickly try to cut back to the left lane before the Fauntleroy/bridge stoplight. I have seen numerous times where northbound 35th will be completely backed up between Fauntleroy and Avalon, making it so people trying to merge onto the bridge are blocked by those continuing north on 35th trying to get back to the blocked left lane. Not sure if that makes sense, but if you head through those intersections a lot, hopefully you understand what I’m referencing!

WS Native January 11, 2023 (1:57 pm)

I came here to say the same thing. Every time we go through that intersection heading north on 35th, we wish there was an arrow light there.
Mark B January 11, 2023 (4:34 pm)

Light with arrow would be the only viable solution. The southbound left lane at that intersection has restricted left turn times that are widely ignored in late afternoons, causing backups in the left lane.
- Stephanie January 11, 2023 (5:49 pm)
  
  I totally agree! So many people don’t see the sign coming south or just ignore it completely causing backups and a lot of honking. I wish the sign was bigger and illuminated.
- West is Best Seattle January 12, 2023 (9:00 am)
  
  Good point, I agree! I’d much prefer having the left turn light as a solution! West & eastbound Avalon has left turn arrows for turning onto 35th. It’s interesting that’s 35th doesn’t have left turn arrows at that intersection. It’s makes traffic a mess and increases risks of accidents. I’ve also seen drivers take a quick left turn when they finally get an opening and almost hit pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Lola January 11, 2023 (9:51 am)

They changed the lights also at Fauntleroy & Avalon and Fauntleroy & 35th. I come down the hill of Oregon & Fauntleroy and now when the light changes there to GO you can’t make it thru any of the other lights. I wait at all three now just to get onto the bridge.

Derek January 11, 2023 (12:32 pm)

I prefer this. People speed too much down 35th. Keep it slow and load the bridge slower. Better traffic flow.
Flo B January 11, 2023 (3:07 pm)

Lola. Thats SDOT’s solution to speed control. Make sure that no matter what speed you go the next light will always be red. They forget that affects transit-and bikes too.

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