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ADMIRAL WAY BRIDGE PROJECT: New – but temporary – crosswalk

August 28, 2024 1:48 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Mark for the photo. He and another reader mentioned the surprise appearance of a new crosswalk at 39th/Admiral [map], east of the Admiral Way Bridge seismic-strengthening project, which moved into the top-deck half-closure phase this week. Project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard tells us it’s temporary: “It was low-key, a quick flip and safety measure. We added these Rapid Flashing Beacons and a temporary crosswalk to the intersection as we move into the phased closures of the bridge lanes. We wanted to maintain pedestrian access throughout these times so that people could get across safely. Community supported/wanted it, and the team was able to deliver.” But “temporary” means it’ll be removed when the project’s complete; Howard adds, “I’ve broached the topic of a permanent solution, though.”

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33 Replies to "ADMIRAL WAY BRIDGE PROJECT: New - but temporary - crosswalk"

  • Admiral Redbeard August 28, 2024 (2:00 pm)

    This really needs to become permanent!!  We’ve been asking the city for a permanent crosswalk either at this exact location or the next street over.  It’s nearly impossible to cross this very busy, high-speed, 4-lane stroad as a pedestrian.

    This temporary crosswalk showed up less than 24 hours after they put up the construction site, and it even has the flashing yellow lights that can be triggered.  Why can’t we have this permanently?!  It’s such an easy, low-cost solution to make this stretch of car wasteland more pedestrian friendly and reconnect our neighborhoods.

    • SeattleWalker August 28, 2024 (9:20 pm)

      Can someone explain the reason for a crosswalk there? I walk there daily and I find it extremely easy to cross to the other side, either at the end of the bridge or down past the view point.
      I would never attempt to cross this 4 lane road and put myself in danger when the crosswalk is just a block away.

      • CAM August 28, 2024 (10:42 pm)

        It’s good that you can walk out of your way to get to another crosswalk that you feel is safer to cross at. You might need to consider though that not every pedestrian is as physically capable as you are and they should all have the opportunity to cross the street safely. And in response to your question about “legal,” all intersections are legal crosswalks, marked or not. Drivers are required to stop to allow pedestrians to cross even if there are no lines, lights, signs, flags, etc. If you see someone standing at an intersection waiting to cross, you stop. 

        • West Seattle J August 29, 2024 (6:56 am)

          Yeah,nonetheless it isn’t a very safe and smart place for a crosswalk.

        • SeattleWalker August 29, 2024 (8:29 am)

          Thank you so much, this makes a lot of sense and I appreciate you explaining what I failed to see. And learnt something new! 

      • Alkistu September 14, 2024 (11:23 am)

        I think it’s great that you are using walking to stay fit. Your handle indicates you are really into it. Unfortunately there are many who through no fault of their own cannot comfortably scramble across a 4 lane road without the assistance of a crosswalk with warning lights. You obviously like walking the neighborhood, so let’s make it more accessible for others.

  • Admiralite August 28, 2024 (2:52 pm)

    Wish it wasn’t temporary! That section of Admiral by the 38th St bus stops is often sketchy to cross.

  • Jason August 28, 2024 (3:22 pm)

    Need flashing lights and a road diet here!!! Make it permentant! Something has to force these drivers to slow down. 

  • ST August 28, 2024 (3:49 pm)

    Agreed.   Make it permanent.   There needs to be a marked crosswalk on that side of the Admiral Bridge, with so many parents/kids walking to Lafayette during the school year.   Cars fly through there.  

    • SeattleWalker August 28, 2024 (9:26 pm)

      But us parents walking to Lafayette have no problem crossing at the crosswalk past the bridge. Or any other on of the crosswalks after that. 

  • sbre August 28, 2024 (3:54 pm)

    I too vote for making it a permeant fixture.Please listen to your citizens, City of Seattle!!!

    • Derp August 28, 2024 (4:36 pm)

      Do you think they read the blog ?Maybe, maybe not.  Maybe send this to the City and Saka. 

  • Carson August 28, 2024 (5:42 pm)

    This needs to be permanent. I cross there often, it is a legal cross walk and I refuse to yield to any car. Yep, more than a few confrontations over the years, at least until I pull out my phone to record them and they drive off. 

    • SeattleWalker August 28, 2024 (9:27 pm)

      I’m curious about your comment…legal as in? 

      • KM August 28, 2024 (10:39 pm)

        All intersections are legal crosswalks unless signage is posted otherwise. Even if it’s not painted, pedestrians have the right of way.

  • John August 28, 2024 (8:11 pm)

    Now is the time to organize to make this crossing permanent.  The pedestrians crossing at this location have always been an accident waiting to happen.  Let Concilman Saka, SDOT and Metro know how much this crossing means to the safety of the adjacent neighborhoods.

  • Kyle August 28, 2024 (8:16 pm)

    Seems like a no brainer. Not sure why it wasn’t permanent to begin with. In my experience flashers are pretty effective and would be useful for people trying to cross as a simple cost effective solution.

  • John B August 28, 2024 (8:30 pm)

    This crossing must stay. Our community has been fighting for years for a crossing somewhere along Admiral between the bridge and the crest of the hill. Sure there’s a little bit of curb and approach work to make it permanent. It’s pennies compared to all the speed bumps and crosswalks they put elsewhere. Plus, the crossing is already there. I hope Rob Saka sees these posts and fights for the community. It’s a really simple decision, just can’t let the bureaucracy get in the way.

  • John B August 28, 2024 (8:35 pm)

    I bet it’s a wash between the cost to remove and the cost for the curb work. Get it done, Saka!!!!

  • Lila August 28, 2024 (9:08 pm)

    HI ALL!! I’VE BEEN PETITIONING AND EMAILING THE CITY FOR A YEAR NOW! Please sign my petition!!https://chng.it/4Vbs8Rx2Lj

    Can you please add this to the main body of this post? Thank you!

    • Alkistu September 14, 2024 (2:35 pm)

      Thanks Lila,Stu

  • Melba Tost August 28, 2024 (9:45 pm)

    The adjacent neighborhoods all want this to be a permanent addition. Let’s communicate with Rob Saka’s office and make our opinions heard.

  • Admiral-2009 August 28, 2024 (10:21 pm)

    The contractor indicated that a ADA curb ramp was to be installed.  SeattleWalker is correct people walking to Lafayette or the business district simply can walk west to a signalized crossing.  This location likely does not meet pedestrian demand warrants for a marked crossing, but with a bus stop there is something to discuss to make the crossing permanent.

  • SunsetGirl August 29, 2024 (8:32 am)

    The line of sight for that intersection (in  both directions) is not good. Cars increase speed (in both directions) as they come up admiral and as they are leaving California to depart west seattle. The road undulates impeding sight. Many examples of fences, trees, and damage to property happen all the time, as cars going too fast end up off road in someone’s yard. The bus stop there has been used by older and younger neighbors who don’t have cars. One of our older neighbors was killed when I was a kid growing up there , and my brother and friend (both about 12 at the time) crossing to get to the bus stop, had a terrible incident where my brothers friend was hit and thrown, saved only from his backpack which he was wearing. These incidents are too old for most reading this to remember and Im in my mid-50’s – but the reality is there is a bus stop there for the people who need it and it’s too dangerous. Add into this the current situation of out of area drivers who are cruising alki and the crime happening and you have a dangerous roadway that is getting worse, not better.  All combined, some kind of solution is overdue.

  • Chris August 29, 2024 (9:18 am)

    This needs to become permanent.  Please listen to the residences of the neighborhoods that this affects!

  • tim August 29, 2024 (9:24 am)

    It would need a stop light.

  • Tammy Bare August 29, 2024 (3:32 pm)

    Definitely needs to become permanent.  We need more safe crossings coming up Admiral.  There have been countless accidents in this stretch of road – with cars barrelling into front yards, signs, trees, planter boxes, etc, etc.  Residents in the area worry when they walk/cross the street – so this is huge step forward. 

  • Make low cost permanent August 29, 2024 (7:52 pm)

    I am heartened to hear that adding a Rapid Flashing Beacons pedestrian crosswalk is a  “low-key, a quick flip and safety measure.” The stretch of Admiral Way between the pedestrian signaled light at Olga and the next regularly timed light at 41st has multiple intersections prior to the Fairmont Bridge. There are also two route 56/57 bus stops on the north and south side of Admiral in this stretch: one at the Belvidere intersection (west bound) and one at the 38th intersection (east bound). High speeds well in excess of the posted limit and often reaching above 40 MPH are common along this stretch. In the west bound direction, there have been several crashes on the curve at 37th due to excess speed and inattention resulting in property damage and personal injury in the past three years. If a temporary Rapid Flashing Beacons pedestrian crosswalk during the bridge construction makes sense and is cost-effective then a permanent one either at the Belvidere or 38th intersection seems to also make sense and in support of Project Zero and a reduction of speed along this stretch of a highly used arterial route to the West Seattle Bridge.

  • Mama on Admiral August 30, 2024 (12:43 pm)

    This needs to become a permanent solution! I have two littles, and crossing Admiral is always so treacherous with a stroller. We have to walk all the way to the corner of the gas station and Starbucks to have a protected crosswalk. This is what our neighborhood has been asking for since there is very little repercussions for people who drive 40, sometimes 50 on Admiral where the speed limit is 25! We don’t need traffic lights with crosswalks, a flashing beacon is all we need to safely cross Admiral! Please think of the elderly and those with children! We cannot just run across like many people!

  • Jason August 30, 2024 (12:53 pm)

    I think we need a stop light somewhere in the middle of Admiral Way hill before West Seattle Bridge. Something to FORCE a stop sooner so they cannot turn into Admiral International Raceway. I am SO SICK of people nearly crashing into me. 

  • Tico September 3, 2024 (5:37 pm)

    Thank you, Dr. Matthew Howard, SDOT and all who helped promote and install the 39th/Admiral crosswalk. Our family has used it at least once a day since it’s been installed. We ask the City to please make this crosswalk permanent. We live on the north side of SW Admiral and we walk our dog two to three times a day and cross at the Olga streetlight to the larger neighborhood. Unfortunately, because our dog is not friendly, to get home from Hiwatha park, we cannot use the crosswalk at the 42/Admiral traffic light by Starbucks due to not having any outlet/detour while on the very narrow Admiral Way bridge if there are other dogs, bikers, skaters, children also using the bridge. Thus, having an alternative crosswalk on 39th/Admiral (after the Admiral Way bridge) will be much used and appreciated by our family and many of our neighbors along SW Admiral. Sometimes we need to get home quicker for work, bathroom, something urgent and having to walk to Olga/Admiral traffic light to cross Admiral from Hiwatha park takes an extra 15 to 20 minutes so we are forced to run for our lives and cross Admiral by Belvidere – though legal, it’s scary with speeding cars, blinds spots due to trees in the median and a nervous dog.  Please please please make the 39th/Admiral crosswalk permanent as it will save lives. We hope our West Seattle neighbors understand some of our struggles for safety and we ask for your support and vote for 39th/Admiral to become a permanent crosswalk. Thank you.

  • Admiral Mom September 6, 2024 (9:55 am)

    Another plea for making this permanent. We have needed a crosswalk here or at Belvidere so we can walk our kids to school more safely. Love the flashing lights and flags. Thank you! 

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