SIGNAGE ALERT: ‘No Turn on Red’ added at 35th/Trenton

Hard to see in the evening sun’s glare (sorry, got there at a bad time), but the sign in the middle – looking west on SW Trenton from just east of 35th SW – says NO TURN ON RED. SDOT has added that sign in many places but this is notable because it’s for the stretch of Trenton affected by the just-started rerouting of buses from Barton to Trenton. Nearby resident Juanita sent the tip:

FYI, a No Right Turn On Red sign has been added to the intersection of SW Trenton at 35th. Hopefully we can get a left turn signal installed on 35th making the turn onto SW Trenton. It wasn’t so bad over the weekend, but this morning was really touch and go when there was a 21 trying to make the right onto SW Trenton and back-to-back Cs trying to make the right.

Also, drivers need to be especially careful approaching the intersection of SW Trenton and 32nd. Yesterday we were getting ready to make the left turn onto 32nd and saw the C approaching at the last minute and were fortunately able to stop.

As we’ve reported, the traffic switch from Barton to Trenton is because of the repaving work that is scheduled to start soon in the bus-layover zone along the north edge of Roxhill Park. The rerouting started early so that it would coincide with Metro‘s spring “service change.”

Rob March 30, 2026 (7:19 pm)

Great I’ll just add more to my cabon foot print idling in my car waiting to turn right.

Rusty March 30, 2026 (9:46 pm)

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Of all the things to worry about in the world right now…
Foop March 30, 2026 (10:49 pm)

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I’m sorry for your lost 30 seconds for a change that many studies have proven save lives.
- Rob March 31, 2026 (9:12 am)
  
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  But if you add up all the cars across the city sitting waiting idling to turn right that amounts to alot towards our carbon impact in this city.
  - K March 31, 2026 (12:19 pm)
    
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    Not as much as gunning it to dart into moving traffic. The idling argument barely made sense in the 1970s when it was used to justify allowing turns on red, and makes no sense now that engines are so much cleaner and more efficient. Safety is more important, and encouraging people to walk by making it safe will make a FAR bigger impact on carbon than getting a car around the corner faster so it can able at a different light.
R.O. March 31, 2026 (7:54 am)

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Oh GOOD LORD
carbraindisease March 31, 2026 (8:12 am)

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Or you could drive less?
K. Davis March 31, 2026 (8:51 am)

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One just ignores all the new “NROR” signs. Watch to make sure its safe (and no police nearby), and then turn, just as you did before these silly signs went up. It isn’t that complicated.
- Platypus March 31, 2026 (11:45 am)
  
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  That is no different that running a red light to go straight. You can do it, but it is illegal, and you should be fined appropriately.
- Jort April 2, 2026 (10:34 pm)
  
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  You will never find a population that openly and brazenly breaks laws – intentionally and willfully – than minorly inconvienced car drivers.
bill March 31, 2026 (8:34 pm)

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Rob, if you are serious about reducing your carbon footprint then take transit or ride a bike. Otherwise, stop concern trolling.

Marty2 March 30, 2026 (10:19 pm)

This afternoon I saw a C Line bus turning right from northbound 35th onto eastbound Trenton, it’s a tight turn and the bus had to swing wide and go partially into the westbound lane of SW Trenton. Having a power pole near the corner doesn’t help either. Cars going westbound on Trenton need to be aware not to go past the stop bar when they approach the light at 35th or the C Line bus can’t make the turn. That’s the main reason for the No Turn on Red sign, if a car goes past the stop bar to make a right, there’s no way a C Line bus can turn onto Trenton. I’m surprised the City didn’t shift the centerline further north near the intersection so buses can make the turn easier at this intersection.

Steve March 31, 2026 (7:01 am)

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A car turning right would be on the right side of the road. There is room at that intersection for a car to go straight or left and a car to to turn right. I know as I drive on it all the time on the way to the post office. So that part of your statement doesn’t make sense. If they wanted to move the lane line over so the buses had more room to swing I could see a reason for that. But there really isn’t a reason for no turn on red there or most places they have added it. Pull up to the light, look for cars or pedestrians and turn.
The Real JP March 31, 2026 (10:32 am)

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This reasoning makes complete sense. There are intersections (like this one) where circumstances unique to the intersection require the prohibition of turning right on red. I am not in favor of making “no turn on red” the default for all intersections. Allowing right turns on red optimizes traffic flow and can be performed safely at many intersections. The recent over application of the no turn rule supported by those who wish to make it the default diminishes the credibility of these signs when they are applied at intersections like this one where the abundance of caution is justified.
- Admiral2009 March 31, 2026 (3:28 pm)
  
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  The Real JP – you are absolutely correct that restricting RTOR as a default diminishes the credibility of the traffic control and reduces safety!
  - Jort April 2, 2026 (10:35 pm)
    
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    This assertion is flatly and unambiguously false. Nothing in modern traffic science supports this assertion. Nothing.
1994 March 31, 2026 (8:37 pm)

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The city had painted stripes on westbound Trenton at the corner so as to block the right turn area to north onto 35th. The SDoT does not know how to move traffic.
- Platypus April 1, 2026 (8:17 am)
  
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  It was probably to allow the bus to be wide in the lane to make the turn without a car there. The location of the bus is temporary.

E March 31, 2026 (6:05 am)

This is great! Unfortunately, too many drivers do not follow the laws (speeding, running red lights, going into parking and bus lanes to go around other drivers, using their cellphones, driving intoxicated, parking in bike lanes, etc.), regardless of how dangerous it is for those outside of their vehicles. Add NTOR to the list, despite how many lives it might save. If it inconveniences those who are already convenienced, surely it must be optional and not illegal, riiight?!

But if a cyclist performs an “illegal” move in front of a car driver, such as riding in the middle of the lane, riding on the sidewalk or yielding through a stop sign, all of which are actually legal, the driver feels entitled to berate the cyclist about it. Motor normativity at its finest. Cars are restricted by laws, especially in cities, to protect everyone else around them. Please follow these laws, even if you’re inconvenienced.

Foop March 31, 2026 (11:01 am)

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Not gonna lie: you had me in the first half.
- cwit March 31, 2026 (11:22 am)
  
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  The good thing is that E’s not lying either – in the 1st or 2nd halves.

Elton March 31, 2026 (11:57 am)

There was also a No Turn on Red added at 35th and SW Morgan – I wonder if for similar reasons?

Iliketodrive March 31, 2026 (12:20 pm)

I mean, I’ll just continue to turn right on red, because 1. it isn’t enforceable and 2. It’s dumb.

E March 31, 2026 (3:03 pm)

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Of course you will. Because you’re a typical car driver. You feel entitled to do whatever you like while operating a motor vehicle, despite how it affects everyone else outside of your car.

AM March 31, 2026 (12:27 pm)

Just one more rule for cars. Instead of putting up useless signs why don’t they take care of the encampments and the open air drugs and the criminals that roam our streets. I doubt a no right turn on red is going to deter someone- just like those ridiculous “healthy street signs” that that dumb mayor we had thought was such a fabulous idea. Seattle has not been able to elect a decent leader ever.

Foop March 31, 2026 (1:33 pm)

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The only thing ridiculous about healthy streets is that we’ve don’t nothing to deter people from driving through them and bullying bikes and walkers anyhow. Install diverters yesterday.
E March 31, 2026 (3:29 pm)

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“Rules” (laws?) for “cars” (drivers?) can greatly impact life outside of cars. Restructuring how car is prioritized and regulated improves the lives of everyone in cities. Cars should be used like any tool: only if it is the right one for the job and used responsibly.

Delridge homeowner March 31, 2026 (1:07 pm)

They put one up at delridge and thistle, at 5:15am, awoken to the sound of metal drilling for over an hour… woke up my two small children and myself. Can this not be done during non-quiet hours? We were not pleased but understand it’s a high traffic route with the school right up the road.

Peter March 31, 2026 (1:44 pm)

I wish there was more traffic enforcement of Metro buses. I regularly see them speeding, running red lights, cutting people off — for some reason they get a free pass.

1994 March 31, 2026 (8:43 pm)

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You are so right! Even when you take the time to write to Metro to describe in great detail the poor driving decisions made by a bus driver Metro writes back excusing it away instead of investigating the situation further. Driving the bus up onto a paved walk way – that is OK because it is not really a sidewalk. Taking a right turn from the center turn lane to go around a stopped semi because of a traffic back up – well no biggy, gotta keep the schedule.
DC April 2, 2026 (10:18 am)

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FYI, you are legally required to yield to busses, in all circumstances. The majority of time busses ‘cut you off’ is because you refuse to yield to them as they merge or switch lanes.

flimflam March 31, 2026 (2:22 pm)

I realize it’s dangerous to go barreling up to a red light and quickly turn right but it is ridiculous to think it was necessary to complete male it illegal. Frankly, I continue to do so when I can – I stop, look both ways, look again, then make the turn. I have no desire to hurt anyone or myself and am very careful. I don’t expect everyone in front of me to do it, but I definitely will continue to do so.

Vietnamese Noodle Lady March 31, 2026 (2:55 pm)

I’ll continue to turn right at these red lights until there’s no more illegal campers in our parks, playfields, sidewalks, and bus stops.

MKN March 31, 2026 (3:12 pm)

The traffic on Trenton is getting ridiculous. The lions on the corner were even scowling.

Lauren March 31, 2026 (4:37 pm)

A lot of y’all haven’t had loved ones killed by a driver and it shows. You have to stop for a few minutes to potentially save a life? Good.

Westy Steve March 31, 2026 (7:22 pm)

These NROR are wildly unpopular and inconsistently followed. I’m ok with some in high pedestrian/bike areas, but I don’t like what appears to be a blanket approach. And with no public process either it’s hard to get behind.

Neighbor of trenton March 31, 2026 (9:39 pm)

In non peak times, it would be nice for the sensor to switch for trenton to turn green. To give more frequency for trenton folks to turn on to 35th. It would have been nice for SDOT to mention that on the community call as well. I dont remember the no turn on right sign being mentioned. I also noticed a camera thing place on the nw side of the intersection on a pole. maybe thats a sensor to help with the light changing?