FOLLOWUP: New 44th/Oregon all-way stop explained

When we first reported September 24 on the all-way stop that appeared unannounced earlier that day at 44th/Oregon in The Junction, we promised to follow up with SDOT to ask what led to its installation, and if any others were on the way. Today we finally got the explanation from SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali, who also acknowledges – as commenters had observed – that the signage was installed without accompanying alerts:

The City received strong feedback from community members concerned about pedestrian safety at this intersection, including a petition with 175 signatures in support of installing an all-way stop. After evaluating the location using our standard criteria — including traffic volumes, pedestrian activity, and proximity to the business district — it met the threshold for all-way stop control and was approved. Given the safety concerns raised and strong community support, we prioritized moving quickly once the intersection met the criteria.

The new stop signs were installed on Wednesday (9/24), and “Traffic Revision Ahead” signs were placed on Friday (9/26). We recognize the lag between installation and signage and are updating our process so that advance warning signs will be in place at the same time as new stop signs going forward.

No additional all-way stops are currently under evaluation in this area. However, SDOT welcomes community requests citywide — residents can use the City’s Find It, Fix It app or email 684-Road@seattle.gov to raise safety concerns at specific locations.

walkerws October 2, 2025 (3:48 pm)

This all way stop is such a great improvement. Thank you SDOT!

Yeah right October 2, 2025 (4:12 pm)

Laughable: “our standard criteria — including traffic volumes, pedestrian activity, and proximity to the business district”How would that criteria explain the new stop signs at 49th and Hinds?

Walkerws October 2, 2025 (4:18 pm)

The explanation is that they’re also needed and welcome :)
WS98 October 2, 2025 (8:19 pm)

49th & Hinds is totally reasonable because it’s near a school.
KBear October 2, 2025 (9:49 pm)

I’m guessing because you weren’t stopping for pedestrians there. Sorry if these few extra seconds are inconveniencing you!
JJV October 4, 2025 (6:41 am)

The elementary school a block away
- Yeah right October 6, 2025 (8:55 am)
  
  Everyone in the area knows there has been a school there for 70 years. The school is bus-only so no neighborhood walkers. The intersection mentioned has no road connection to the school. Thus no traffic, no pedestrians and no retail. Try again.

Christopher B. October 2, 2025 (4:34 pm)

Given the frequency with which I see cars just blowing through uncontrolled four-way intersections without even slowing down, I’d love to see ever more stop signs in West Seattle. Just the other day someone who was tailgating me on a residential street leaned on their horn and flipped me off because I had to audacity to slow down and make sure there wasn’t oncoming traffic at one of these intersections. The level of dearth of driving skills and the aggressiveness and arrogance of clueless drivers puts all of us in danger and keeps insurance rates high.

Ve October 2, 2025 (4:37 pm)

Good luckStill lookThey put 4 way near me about year agoPeople go right throughNeed speed bumps

WSzombie October 3, 2025 (11:13 pm)

Speed bumps don’t do anything. Look at High Point. They either go around them, target the gaps, or just jump like they’re the Dukes of Hazzard. People are going to do what they want, it’s unfortunate, but true.

Julia October 2, 2025 (4:41 pm)

Glad to have this new setup, much safer for drivers as well.

Admiral2009 October 2, 2025 (5:25 pm)

Yeah right – good question.

Former WS Res October 2, 2025 (7:55 pm)

We used to live on this street and saw accidents and near misses with a lot of frequency. This is a great place for a stop sign.

Admiral2009 October 2, 2025 (10:09 pm)

Yeah right – good question.

Keenan October 3, 2025 (8:20 am)

Money could rain from the sky and half the people in this blog would complain about littering.Seriously, some of you are NEVER HAPPY.I live on this block. My neighbors are 100% in support of the stop sign. It’s a tiny example of how democracy still WORKS in Seattle, at least on the hyper-local level. Enjoy the win and take a breath.

Deb October 3, 2025 (8:51 am)

Thank you SDOT for quickly responding to the Find-It/Fix-It requests for ASAP warning signage. Very glad to see this intersection becoming safer.

Aaron G October 3, 2025 (10:00 am)

I often go north/south on 44th on a bike on my way to/from Admiral. Previously, going in that direction, I had a stop sign. Even so, people driving east on Oregon would stop even though they had the right of way. I appreciate this but didn’t expect it. Neither do other drivers. But the time I get the bike in gear and had moved through the intersection, there’s a little backup there. Add a bus and a few pedestrians to this and you have a minor mess. Having a four way stop here works very well. Everybody knows (for the most part) when to go and takes their turn. It’s much safer and less confusing. Busses can easily make the left there (128/50), without going across traffic. Pedestrians can rely on cars stopping. Amazingly, it’s the rate instance where a stop sign improves flow through an intersection.

BigBling October 3, 2025 (10:33 am)

Now, please do that at 39th & Oregon. People coming up the hill are going way too fast & its hard to see them, people coming down the hill, you can’t see them for the parked cars. It’s rough intersection. PLEASE, PLEASE !!

Kathy October 4, 2025 (3:55 pm)

Send your concerns to SDOT. The email address is in the story. Attach video evidence of unsafe car interactions. You can collect signatures from people with like concerns, photograph them and attach to your email. Sounds like SDOT needs input from people like you.