About Sylvan Way’s new raised-curb median

| High Point | Safety | West Seattle news

You’ve seen them on Duwamish Head in Alki, and now they’re on the east edge of High Point too: Bollards atop a raised concrete median on Sylvan Way. After a reader tip about the installation, we asked SDOT for the official explanation, and finally got it today from spokesperson Amy Abdelsayed:

SDOT identified Sylvan Way SW between High Point Dr SW and SW Sylvan Heights Dr as a high collision location last year due to the frequency of crashes that occurred at the intersection involving drivers crossing the roadway centerline and running off road. To address these crashes, SDOT’s Vision Zero program recently added raised pavement markers and centerline curbing in areas along Sylvan Way SW to improve visibility of lane lines and approaching roadway curves.

The SDOT collision map is not particularly conclusive, but we searched our archives for and came up with 74 results mentioning Sylvan Way and crash.

High point driver October 23, 2025 (7:11 pm)

As someone who lives in High Point and has driven that stretch for almost 20 years, it seems like the wrong part of the “curve” to put the barriers on. Anyone looking at the trees growing along that stretch (or the fence lines on either side) can see that the usual off road collision area is further south along Sylvan. Seems like another Curby situation 😂 Maybe we should call this one Swervy!

Kyle October 25, 2025 (10:49 am)

Ha I thought the same thing. It’s the downhill curve where cars are speeding and would cross the median. It must take special SDOT skill to include zero data when they say things like frequent crashes.

Jack October 23, 2025 (8:34 pm)

What ever it takes to keep citizens safe.

Sam October 23, 2025 (8:54 pm)

Those yellow poles are actually extremely distracting for drivers! I hate them! There is those same type of yellow poles on Ambaum driving to Burien area.

bill October 23, 2025 (10:24 pm)

If the poles make you slow down that is a good thing.
- Alki resident October 23, 2025 (11:10 pm)
  
  The poles don’t make you slow down, they prevent you from turning left onto the neighboring street in Burien.
- Another frequent HP driver October 24, 2025 (12:42 am)
  
  Yes, exactly this!TBH, I never thought of this curve as dangerous because I personally haven’t seen accidents. Also, I rarely go above 30 on that curve and sometimes feel like I’m the only one that really cares about that. There’s a subtle hill crest right on the curve and yah, speeds vary if you are not paying attention.
Mellow Kitty October 24, 2025 (6:37 am)

Maybe you shouldn’t be driving if something this basic distracts your attention from the road.

Alki resident October 23, 2025 (11:15 pm)

In a couple of years, West Seattle will be consumed with bollards and speed bumps. What a look

Azimuth October 24, 2025 (10:22 am)

I just hope SDOT maintains all of these safety features. Based on the chipped and faded painting and striping throughout our beloved West Seattle, I’m guessing these things won’t be, either.

Sylvanspeedtrap October 24, 2025 (5:34 am)

As someone who lives on Sylvan, I applaud this. People absolutely fly up and down the street. They tend to gain tremendous speed starting where the barriers are currently located. Immediately south of the barriers is a sharper curve. If the barriers lead to a lower average rate of speed heading into the second curve, that’s a win in my book.

Sillygoose October 24, 2025 (6:20 am)

Great, now do the same on Fauntleroy from Avalon to Alaska. Those taking illegal turns over double yellow back up the lanes for blocks, as well as those making UTurns.

22blades October 24, 2025 (9:12 am)

👍I like the bollards.👍 I think wide streets give the optical illusion of driving slower than you think. Eliminating a curb lane may have this unintended consequence. As for the location, yeah it might be a little further south than where people lose control of their vehicles. I wish they would add a thin median greenery 🌾🌲🌳🌾 on the Admiral Speedway. It would look awesome with Rainier in the background on a clear day.