Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Charlestown Car Launch Hill
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July 21, 2009 at 7:37 pm #591632
funkietooParticipantLast Saturday night there was an accident at the top of the’ Charlestown Car Launch Hill’ (Charlestown and 46th—during the winter, it’s the ’Awesome Sled Hill). One of the vehicles at the stop sign, heading south on 46th; did not see the ‘right turn only sign’, were from out of town and crossed Charlestown. The car coming up the hill hit the crossing car, which ended up in our neighbors’ parking strip/sidewalk. Luckily no one was seriously injured and being the neighborhood we are folks came out to help.
There is a history of accidents and near misses at this intersection, and they aren’t all out of towners. Years ago, we asked the city to make a couple of safety improvements, but to know avail. Now we are asking again, hoping the City reads our famous West Seattle Blog,…before someone is seriously injured [again].
1. Install a low median on Charlestown that extends all the way through the intersection so drivers cannot cross over Charlestown or take a left from 46th Ave SW. This would eliminate the number one reason for near misses and Saturday’s car accident.
2. Install a stop sign at the northeast corner of Charlestown so that drivers have to stop before going down the hill. This would slow unsuspecting folks down and maybe give potential ‘launchers’ reason to pause.
It is our understanding that the Charlestown Hill is actually an illegal grade, however, it is the only direct route to Alki Beach in our neighborhood for our Fire Department, therefore, needs to remain an arterial. That makes sense and we believe the above steps would make it a safer intersection, without compromising the Fire Departments’ ability to access our neighbors’ homes when an emergency arises. Plus, the Fire Trucks have to come to almost a complete stop before they go down the hill because it is so steep, so we’re thinking a new stop sign and the low, narrow median wouldn’t be a huge issue for them.
July 21, 2009 at 7:52 pm #672660
flowerpetalMemberThis is a wonky intersection. My condolences to the accident victims even if the injuries were only minor. I have a few ideas for you.
684-CITY can be the most effective way to get action. Of course it doesn’t guarantee that you will get what you think is best.
If you know or have contact information for either party involved in the accident; they would have the ear of the City more, particularly if they knew to say that requests have been made for reconsiderations of this intersection.
When you make requests to the City (or anyone) document what was said and done and who was talked to. This is good amunition if you have to go back again for a second or third request.
If you have gone through channels and haven’t been treated satisfactorily, I would not hesitate in talking with Tom Rasmussen’s office. He is on the council and a West Seattle resident. But his office should not be the first call. Jan Drago chairs the transportation committee.
People who work for the City do read WSB; but I wouldn’t count on them taking action on your request just because they read it here.
Good luck. It seems to be a worthy cause.
July 21, 2009 at 8:22 pm #672661
CMPParticipantI don’t think I’ve ever driven that hill but I have walked it before. Would a traffic circle at the bottom of it be a good solution? Or would emergency vehicles have a hard time maneuvering around it?
July 21, 2009 at 8:47 pm #672662
MrJTMemberfunkytoo – Grace Crunican the SDOT Director lives RIGHT THERE.. Maybe if she’s in town you could knock on her door and show her the issue.
July 21, 2009 at 8:54 pm #672663
pamMemberI think the person to contact would be:
Jane Rebelowski
Associate Civil Engineer Specialist
Seattle Department of Transportation
Traffic Management Division
700 Fifth Ave Suite 4188
P.O. Box 34966
Seattle, WA 98124-4996
We had a near miss two weeks ago as we headed up the hill. A mid-20’s blond woman heading down the hill turned left just as we were breaching the hill. It was an incredibly close call.
July 21, 2009 at 8:56 pm #672664
KBearParticipantI live near another dangerous intersection. When I complained to the city about the lack of traffic controls, they said there hadn’t been many accidents, so they considered it safe. Why do they have to wait for people to get hurt, when any fool can see that it’s a dangerous intersection? That’s like saying, “I’ll allow my child to play with matches, because the house has never burned down, so it must be safe.”
July 21, 2009 at 8:59 pm #672665
JoBParticipantJuly 21, 2009 at 11:19 pm #672666
miwsParticipantfunkietoo, I hope you get some resolution on this. That intersection and hill have been a big danger *forever*.
My Aunt’s Mother lived in the house on the southwest corner of 46 & Charlestown for decades. I can remember, before the four-way stop was put in at the bottom of the hill, many years ago, idiots would fly down the hill, and on through the intersection at the bottom.
I can even remember my Aunt being so fearful of turning left, westbound to southbound at that (top of the hill) intersection, and the possibilty of being hit by a car that was zipping up the hill which she wouldn’t be able to see, she would continue down California to Andover, then over to 46th, and backtrack to the corner at Charlestown.
Mike
July 22, 2009 at 2:42 pm #672667
WSratsinacageMemberSo true Kbear. I feel the same way.
I too have complained to the city about people who turn west on to Charlestown from California then gun the engine, speeding several blocks to get lift off of the hill. It is dangerous around the hill but also the several blocks along Charlestown between Ca. Ave and the hill. No need to go 40-50 MPH as people commonly do, plus the noise associated with motorcycles and cars revving up is unnecessary.
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