FOLLOWUP: Two more all-way-stop intersections planned by ex-Schmitz Park Elementary

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, looking south at 49th/Hinds)

Last Thursday, thanks to a reader tip, we reported on a new all-way-stop intersection at 49th/Spokane, near the former Schmitz Park Elementary (current temporary home to Alki Elementary), and promised to follow up with SDOT to find out if anything else is planned in the area. Today we got the reply – three intersections in all:

We’re adding all-way stops and painting all legs of the crosswalks at the following three intersections around Schmitz Park Elementary School:

50th Ave SW & SW Spokane St
49th Ave SW & SW Spokane St
49th Ave SW & SW Hinds St

We went to see if the other two had been installed yet. Short answer, no – 49th/Hinds currently has one crosswalk and east-west stop signs but not north/south; 50th/Spokane, right by the campus, is a “T” intersection that has one crosswalk. No installation date for the rest of the work was provided. This is one of the current Safe Routes to School projects, which have also included new stops and speed cushions by Gatewood Elementary.

Residentof49th September 16, 2024 (9:10 pm)

Thanks for the update. I think it’s great they have added the stop signs and plan to add more. Too much speeding happens on 49th in this area. I’d rather have our driving slowed than risk pedestrian (a lot of which are kids) and other car crashes (have seen several cars parked on 49th with damage over the years).

50th September 16, 2024 (9:44 pm)

I would have liked this to be accompanied by a “traffic revision” sign for the first week or two after installation–at least the first two days. People drive according to habit, and adding a new stop sign where people used speed through warrants some extra flagging — especially since one of the stop signs is half hidden behind a tree.I think it is safer with a stop, I just think a warning of this significant change would make it even safer.

Brian September 17, 2024 (6:59 am)

Reply

Maybe a sign alerting folks about the traffic revision sign too so they don’t get spooked.
Bbron September 17, 2024 (7:38 am)

Reply

is the bar really that low for drivers? there’s already a crosswalk sign there; if drivers were being responsible (the bare minimum that should come with driving a vehicle in public streets) they’d be looking and prepared to stop for any pedestrians. driving by habit is normalizing the deviant behavior of complacency. the road is ever changing outside of traffic revisions, and we should expect a minimum level of competency. if folks seriously need a traffic revision for modifications like this, it’s time to hang up the keys.
- MazGirl September 19, 2024 (9:06 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  As someone who has lived here in this neighborhood for 46 years… And 49th between Admiral and Charleston has never changed not once… yes would have been nice to be forewarned about it instead of almost running a stop sign through the intersection today. You know when you see people to stop but the stop sign out of nowhere with no one around totally surprised me today.

Pat September 17, 2024 (9:23 am)

I agree that some advance warning would have eased this somewhat abrupt change. A few additional warning signs and tree trimming seems like the least that the city would do.