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Is the intersection between Woodland Park and the Pitch and Putt dangerous?

What do you think? (11 Comments) June 14, 2010 at 8:21AM

From our news partner seattlepi.com:

Getting There: Greenlake intersection seems worse after construction

By SCOTT GUTIERREZ
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Question:

Eric Langlais sent this question about a 2008 revamping of the intersection at West Green Lake Way and Green Lake Way North near the lower Woodland Park soccer fields. He’s thinks the construction may have made the intersection worse.

“The new intersection is quite pretty, but it seems a great deal more dangerous. I have seen more close calls at this newly revamped intersection than I did at the old one. I am guessing the redo of the intersection was in order to create a safer bike lane. Though, as a part-time cyclist, the intersection seems to be no better, almost worse in fact,” he writes.

“I would like to know why this intersection was redone and what study has been carried out to make sure that the goal was met. I navigate this stretch of road daily, it is so bad that I have considered modifying my route in order to avoid this intersection, something I did not do in the past before the work was done.”

Answer:

Eric Widstrand, the Seattle Department of Transportation’s city traffic engineer, says the project was completed under the city’s Pedestrian Master Plan. No collisions have been reported since construction.

“The project rebuilt the previous island at this location to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and improve accessibility. We built two new median islands to reduce the number of lanes a pedestrian must cross,” he says.

“At the same time, we also improved the bicycle access through this intersection with some new green bike lanes and striping; and we have received a large number of positive comments on the bicycle improvements,” he says.

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What do you think? (11 Comments)
  • Dorothy Richey Theadolphin

    As a pedestrian, I hate that intersection.I would rather take my chances crossing the block before there

  • http://www.facebook.com/susanlrichey Susan Richey

    As a driver: My only problem is when you're on West Greenlake Way North trying to make a left turn onto East Greenlake Way North. The trouble is that oncoming traffic from the north is accelerating around the curve and when they get to where you are sitting waiting to make the turn they are going way too fast. The traffic coming from the south is also going at too variable speeds. Cars behind you are impatient as well and if there's more than 2 cars it creates a traffic jam. I have always hated that turn and will choose to go around the lake from the opposite side to get where I'm going. I would LOVE a light at this intersection. (I am all for lights and crosswalks and anything that slows traffic down between the golf course and the Greenlake district because I live in this stretch).

    As a pedestrian: (And this is what the traffic expert should listen to) Trying to get from the residential sidewalk to the golfcourse to resume my walk around the lake, it takes me out of my way to get through the crosswalks and the island and I have to wait because the cars don't see you or care to stop for you, then after the island I have to cross another road with the same hazards. I would rather take my chances by jaywalking on East Greenlake Way without a crosswalk because I only have one road to cross. I realize though that the current structure is safer for wheelchairs and that's important, but sometimes feng shui rules.

  • Latonamom

    As a runner I have to say I find the new intersection better. Drivers on E. Greenlake Way seem to be more aware of pedestrians crossing the street than they were with the older and smaller island. I find that cars stop more readily when I am crossing or preparing to cross the street. Before, cars often blew through the crosswalk even when I was in it!

  • Dave

    Like most projects rammed down our throats by Seattle Department of Transporation this intersection is now a lot worse. The biggest problem is idiots who can't read signs. It reads “STOP here for pedestrians”. The ONLY thing drivers see is the word STOP and the shape of a stop sign. EVERYTIME I go through there someone stops and blocks traffic. Then another driver sees the first fool sitting there and he stops. The entire intersection comes to a halt. The new signs are confusing.

    It would also been nice if SDOT would have widened the road a bit for people going south. If cars are stopped waiting to turn left and go north on Greenlake Way. It causes a log jam. As usual, if SDOT would have bothered to ASK people who drive through there daily for any suggestions, it would be a better functioning intersection.

    For Eric Widstrand (SDOT city traffic engineer) to say “no collisions have been reported since construction” misses the point. It wonderful that there have been no REPORTED accidents there, but of his job is also to IMPROVE intersections and traffic flow. His only concern seems to be law suits and making pretty intersections.

  • Gr82bd

    I have, myself witnessed accidents since the new island was built – thankfully no one was injured enough to report it. A couple of them seem to be because people stop for pedestrians when there are none. While it was under construction, I spoke to one of the workers and was told that the new island design was planned from Google Earth, and that the planners really had never been to the site, or seen what was really needed. Seems to me the only real benefit was the $$ in the sign makers pockets!!

  • Gr82bd

    I have, myself witnessed accidents since the new island was built – thankfully no one was injured enough to report it. A couple of them seem to be because people stop for pedestrians when there are none. While it was under construction, I spoke to one of the workers and was told that the new island design was planned from Google Earth, and that the planners really had never been to the site, or seen what was really needed. Seems to me the only real benefit was the $$ in the sign makers pockets!!