Update: Here is a brief video of SDOT Director Scott Kubly chatting about the safety improvements made at 47 Ave SW and SW Admiral Way in West Seattle.
Over the last four months, crews working for the Seattle Department of Transportation constructed the 47th/Admiral Signal project, a set of improvements supported by many in the community.
On Tuesday, July 14, SDOT Director Scott Kubly joined Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) and community members to commemorate the project’s completion. Community members gathered for an event on the street corner in front of Alki Mail & Dispatch on a sunny summer evening.
David Whiting ANA, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, SDOT Dir.Scott Kubly and community members join to celebrate safety completion, artist reveals sidewalk art display.
SDOT partnered with the ANA and Alki Mail & Dispatch to host this completion event. Tuesday’s event provided an opportunity to thank committed community members who have been involved over the years and remember former Councilmember David Della’s aide, Matthew “Tatsuo” Nakata, who was struck and killed at the location while crossing the intersection in 2006. Former Councilmember Della attended the event and was grateful for the safety project’s completion and the community support at the event.
To commemorate the project and the collective effort that went into making the traffic safety improvements a reality, the ANA commissioned artist Peregrine Church, of Rainworks, to create a concrete stencil for two of the sidewalk corners. These stencils only appear when wet and Tuesday’s event concluded with an unveiling of Church’s work.
These improvements are a part of Seattle’s Vision Zero plan to improve safety for all roadway users. Just a few months ago, this winding and steep five-way intersection was equipped with a flashing overhead pedestrian beacon and one striped crosswalk. Now, the intersection of 47th Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way is equipped with a full traffic signal, five striped crosswalks, upgraded curb ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and will soon have a center left-turn pocket. Residents and travelers in the area will continue to see safety improvements as the SW Admiral Way Safety Project gets underway.
We appreciate the community’s patience and ongoing support while we worked to complete this project.