10:27 AM: Thanks for the tips about a traffic backup in the heart of The Junction. We went down to check it out and found the reason – repaving work in the outside westbound lane of SW Alaska between 42nd and California. An officer is there directing traffic. We’re checking with SDOT about project details.
3:26 PM: SDOT tells WSB this one lane on one block was all they were doing, and that it should be finished this afternoon – indeed, the traffic cam shows (framegrab above) that it is.
That section seems to get very ‘groovy’ quickly, seems like they just did this a few years ago.
I am glad to see this. It gets kind of hazardous trying to navigate that area on a bicycle.
I’m not an armchair expert by any means, but don’t you have to fix the underlying weakness to handle the overriding heavy loads to expect this to last?
I am an unqualified non-expert but a frequent observer of this stretch of road and it appears to me the underlying material is concrete with a top layer of asphalt applied. It seems with the heavy busses driving in this lane that over time the asphalt starts to mis-shape. Perhaps a more permanent fix of concrete would last longer. But what do I know??
What’s with all the work around 36th/39th and Andover northward. It seems like every corner has a construction crew digging up yards and sidewalks.
Wish they would just make this entire area a pedestrian zone.
If that option was up to a vote you’d be the only one voting yes.
That’s actually a great idea. So many options for repurposing that stretch of California to act as a gathering space. For instance a community garden, outdoor theater, tables and chairs to enjoy Bakery Nouveau goodies in the open air :)
Me too! Would be great for the businesses in the area and would encourage more walking.
Nobody’s stopped from walking to/from/around the junction now. And plenty of room for more people to walk as it’s presently configured. Anybody have verifiable evidence to refute this? Oh, would love to hear the names of the current businesses that would support closing the streets to cars, and delivery trucks.
I live within nominally easy walking distance to the junction and hate walking to it. So I rarely go. Alaska is a concrete canyon with automobile noise echoing and reverberating. Fauntleroy is a noisy racetrack, where it is dangerous to stand on the corner at Whole Foods waiting for the light as drivers screech around the curve. Crossing every intersection is a life or death coinflip: will this driver take a casual right on red without looking, will that driver racing up make a left on two wheels? Get out of your car CarDriver and experience the environment you help create.
Paranoid is a terrible way to go through life. I don’t mind walking up to the junction at all. Nice little uphill walk and it’s over quickly. Cars and pedestrians can absolutely share real estate.
Don’t paint all drivers with the same brush. There are definitely, alot of bad, disrespectful drivers. There are also a lot of respectful drivers as well. The bad drivers know their shame, and don’t give a… Those are the ones that cause the problems.
Bill. WOW! interesting comment. The environment i create behind the wheel is to follow all the traffic laws. Not sure what else to say other than I DO walk. Actually, I walk a lot. In 50 years of driving I’ve NEVER hit another car-or pedestrian-or bicyclist. Sorry, it’s true. I have been hit 3 times in minor non injury fender benders. Other drivers were cited by SPD.
Vigilance that keeps you alive is not paranoia. Recent statistics plus generalized lawlessness on the roads show the bad drivers are winning. Without enforcement either by cops or cameras the remaining option is reengineering streets for lower speeds.
Or at least drop a lane on California and make extra wide sidewalks
Agree, I only go to the Junction during the farmers market or when there is a festival that closes the street. Otherwise it’s not a pleasant place to be.
Problem is, this is an intersection of two arterial streets. Closing them would push tons of traffic onto other streets. Fifty years ago, it would have been possible to design a big pedestrian zone in that area while still providing a channel for arterial traffic, but back then, no one imagined Seattle would become Seahattan.
How about a compromise? Remove one traffic lane on each side to expand pedestrian space but allowing thru traffic? And Seahattan? A bit dramatic/overblown wouldn’t you say?
NEW RULE: anyone non-facetiously comparing West Seattle to Manhattan immediately loses all of their credibility.
Woot Woot! This section was ridiculous and dangerous!!…now, no heavy things driving over it for a bit while it sets!
I should also note that this section of street isn’t only for those driving or riding. During several occasions each year – Summer Fest, Harvest Festival Hometown Holidays, for example – people walk on it, too.
My little Fiat bottoms out on the ridges on Alaska next to the ice cream shop.
I’ve always wondered how that pavement doesn’t rip out an oil pan a week.
Yes, my van bottoms out on that lane too. I nervously watch my Oil Pressure gauge every time. I ripped out an oil pan on a BMW years ago on a gas station tank lid. & that was not cheap! Glad they’re fixing it.
I wish the city would adopt porous paving, It not only lightens the load on the street drainage but it filters the water & is SUPER QUIET (it’s amazing how loud tire noise is). Tokyo has it on their busiest streets.
As you can see from the picture, this section of roadway is a typical Seattle arterial: an asphalt layer over an older concrete layer – there’d be nowhere for the water to drain to.
Also, porous paving requires frequent maintenance from specially designed vacuum trucks to keep from plugging up with rubber dust and other particles, that works in Japan but I think we all know SDOT isn’t capable of/funded for that level of upkeep.
I live at the bottom of Alaska Street and this is one street that I avoid like the Plague. Our City needs to get a better program for Re-Paving our streets. I do not remember our roads being this bad EVER. Now it is just when too many People complain or too many people do the POTHOLE PATROL FORM that the City now has. They will not fix anything until they get so many logged complaints for a Certain roadway. It is Pathetic what our ROADS have become in the City of Seattle. No wonder all the repair shops are filled with cars having to repair the PITFALLS of our roads.
Yes, I agree with all those wanting to close down the main arterials in WS to vehicle, delivery truck, police and fire, buses, construction along with all the people commuting….. Much rather see all those mentioned using the small neighborhood streets instead. Should make area much safer…… Really ? Funny how people move to an area then feel they need to change it for their needs/wants only benefiting themself ……… why did you move here ? Just curious……..
You know, it isn’t very hard to learn. The fact that you’re able to type this message is proof of at least some intelligence. And you know how to setup a straw man so there’s that too.
Pedestrianization most often does not entail a full closure of the street. There are a myriad of ways to make a space friendly to pedestrians. We also have the data to indicate that spaces friendly to pedestrians increases the value of the area (and thus the bottom line for businesses).
To reject something so well understood without a sliver of an argument, well, I am starting to go back on my claim of intelligence.
Funny how people move to an area then feel they need to change it for their needs/wants only benefiting themself ……… why did you move here ? Just curious……..
I guess we better go back to our mud huts, dirt roads, and horses then right? Imagine being so devoid of ideas or even original thoughts that improving the space around you is considered privileged.
And yet, posts like this one are the most celebrated here.
Placing a pedestrian zone in a town center does not “close down the main arterials…to delivery truck [sic], police and fire, buses, construction…”. It mitigates traffic by providing a protected area for walking and non-motorized traffic adjacent to mass transit. Pedestrian zones have automated barriers that allow for delivery trucks and emergency response. As well as instituting narrower times for deliveries, trash trucks, street cleaning. Pedestrian zones can draw more people to use mass transit, lessening the cars on side streets. How does wanting protection for pedestrians equate to “feel they need to change it for their needs/wants only benefiting [sic] themself”?
Newnative. I have yet to read here in the blog that WS businesses are lobbying for street closures as it would increase/help their businesses. Why is that? Also, please share data that shows how closed off streets result in higher transit ridership.
I have yet to read here in the blog that WS businesses are lobbying for street closures as it would increase/help their businesses. Why is that?
Considering all the failing local businesses, I am not certain I would rely on them to make sound decisions when it comes to policy. Further, they are subject to the same biases the majority of people in America have when it comes to cars, parking, etc.
We have a lot of data on walkable spaces and their impact on businesses – in short they make more money. Walkable doesn’t mean just having sidewalks, it means a pleasant environment that people want to be in. It is that environment that gets people there and helps them stay there to spend money.
Here is one often cited paper, https://vtpi.org/walkability.pdf which provides references to other studies as well. There are many more you can find by searching some combination of “walkable” “economy” and “study.”
Also, please share data that shows how closed off streets result in higher transit ridership.
“Closed off streets” is a reductive and dishonest way to look at this. If we apply a little brain muscle however, there are obvious impacts. Of course, this doesn’t happen magically, it happens with careful planning and continuous improvement.
An area or street designed around pedestrians will often have dedicated public transit infrastructure which means faster public transit, leading to more ridership.
An area designed around pedestrians means people will want to be there – namely because it will have things people want but also because it is pleasant to be in.
Pedestrian Environments and Transit Ridership – Ryan et al
Walking and Transit Use Behavior in Walkable Urban Neighborhoods
Similarly, you need only search and apply yourself.
And here is an example from Florida no less.https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/21/this-florida-town-rode-a-rail-trail-to-an-economic-revival
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