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Any plans to re-configure the intersection at Republican and Fairview? Traffic waiting to access Fairview via Republican gets really backed up now that Amazon and other businesses have moved in. I often see people block the intersection (not allowing peds to cross safely) or make an illegal-right-hand turn from the left lane there. Seems like it won’t be long before there’s a major incident there.
Hi there,
Thank you for your question about the intersection at Republican St and Fairview Ave. N. SDOT has added extra green time to the east/west movement along Republican at Westlake Ave. N, 9th Ave. N, and Fairview Ave. N. However, much of the traffic is a result of Fairview already being congested, and it is difficult to merge into its traffic from the east. We are currently evaluating other options for improving flow on Republican, and we plan to implement changes in the coming weeks.
Please note though that we expect backups on Republican to get worse before they get better, as we expect to begin Fairview Ave. work between Harrison and Mercer streets in late March. As we get closer to implementing restrictions on Fairview Ave. N, we will be sending updates out to our project listserv with detailed detour information including routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles and Metro stops. You can subscribe to our email alerts by clicking the link at the top of our website: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm.
Thank you again for your questions, and as always, feel free to call the 24-hour construction hotline at 26-419-5818 if you need more information.
The traffic light at the intersection of N 80th Street & Aurora Ave. N. is short cycling in the evenings in the West-East direction.
Frequently, I’ve been in a line of 6-15 cars heading westbound & the light only allows 1 or 2 cars to make it through the intersection, even if there are no cars making a left turn from the eastbound direction. I haven’t seen any Metro buses or emergency vehicles that might trigger an interuption in the cycle & many drivers are getting frustrated.
This doesn’t happen every cycle but I have seen it happen through two straight cycles before a normal cycle occurs. As a result, more than two dozen cars can back up at the light waiting to proceed.
Two nights ago, about 8pm there were about 8 cars waiting at the light westbound & 10-12 cars waiting eastbound (no one in the left turn lanes). The light turned red when the first car reached the middle of the intersection & I saw 5 more cars drive through the red light. Someone is going to get hit if this light isn’t fixed.
We need left turn lanes at the intersection of NW 80th & 3rd Ave. NW.
We also need a left turn light at the intersection of NW 80th & 8th Ave. NW. In the evenings hardly anyone can make a left turn due to the heavy West-East traffic.
N./NW 80th is one of the few major West-East arterials in this part of the city that isn’t blocked by Green Lake & allows access to northbound I-5. N 85th does not & it has too many unsynchronized traffic lights anyway. We need improved flows on 80th.
With the recent announcement of closures on NW 85th St. more traffic will be diverting to 80th & the traffic back-ups will become worse.
When the viaduct is replaced, many of us in Ballard/ Queen Anne/Magnolia/Interbay will have to drive north to 80th (45th & 50th are already clogged) in order to reach southbound I-5 or gain access to Highway 99 to take the tunnel since there will be no access via W 15th, Mercer has only one lane each way & Westlake has become clogged due to the reduction in lanes & removal of one-way streets in south Lake Union.
Please help us out before it’s too late.
Thank you for your comments. We have forwarded your inquiry to SDOT staff. An answer to your question will be sent directly to you. However, please note that it will likely be a few weeks before you hear from the department. Your patience is appreciated!
What is all the super-loud hammering at the south end of the Aurora Bridge? Is the info on your website? Thanks.
It is likely you are referring to the state’s strengthening work on the Aurora Bridge. You can learn more about the project by visiting their website at this link.
It’s a great bridge. I’m glad they’re keeping it up. Once the expansion joint is fixed, I’ll miss hearing the “drum solo” from the convoy of garbage trucks every morning. Not. Thanks for the info.
At the end of Northbound Terry where it crosses Mercer the trolly lane is closed to through traffic. There is only 1 right turn lane to get to Mercer. Can the stripes that are faded showing the lane is closed to traffic be repainted so people stop making illegal right turns from the left lane almost causing accidents every night as people leave Seattle after work.
You will be pleased to hear that SDOT will be making modifications to Terry Ave North and Mercer Street within the next 2 to 3 months. The enhancements will include signage and street markings directing vehicles away from the South Lake Union Street car stop. These changes will help clear up any confusion and alleviate frustration.
The left turn signal light at Eastlake and Fuhrman appears to have been reprogramed in the past week or so allowing only 3 cars per cycle are able turn left. This has created a major back up for the afternoon/evening commute. Taking 10 – 15 minutes to get from 41st Ave NE on to Fuhrman is excessive. Could you please provide the justification for this dramatic change in the cycle?
Jane – Thank you very much for contacting SDOT. We apologize for the delay in response, the Traffic Signal staff has been very short-staffed due to illness. You should receive a direct reply in a week or so.
Is it illegal to drive with snowtires in the city of Seattle? Or are there certain months of the year where they are prohibited?
Per state law, studded tires are legal in Washington from November 1 to March 31. Motorists using studded tires after the deadline could incur a fine from law enforcement, unless the deadline is extended as it was in 2011. Washington State Department of Transportation officials remain concerned about safety risks and roadway damage associated with studded tires. Research on studded tires consistently shows that vehicles equipped with studded tires require longer stopping distance on wet or dry pavement.
Is it ever legal to make a left turn on a red arrow in Seattle on one way or two way streets?
It is important to remember that there aren’t that many red left arrows out there. However, 46.61.055 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) allows drivers at a “steady circular red signal” to make a “left turn from a one-way or two-way street onto a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn.” That turn must be made after stopping and isn’t legal if a posted sign prohibits the movement.
More from the RCW:
Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection control area as required by RCW 46.61.235(1).
What’s going to be done on Densmore Ave N from N 107th St to the cemetery? White dotted line and “berm” appeared between noon and 2 p.m. on 1/3/12
The asphalt work that has been done on Densmore Ave North, north of 107th was installed by SDOT on the behalf of Seattle Public Utilities’(SPU) Spot Drainage Program. Complaints from property owners on the east side prompted SPU to berm the edge of the road to convey storm water to the dead end of the street. This work was completed earlier this month. However, SPU plans to make some additional changes to the alignment of the berm. If there are additional comments or complaints, please send them directly to: Scott.Stevens@Seattle.
Hi, How can I obtain video footage of the intersection of 6th Ave and Union in downtown Seattle between 7:40AM and 7:45AM? I was driving north on 6th ave when my passenger car was *almost* hit by a commercial van which ran a solid RED light moving west on Union. Thanks!
We do not have a red light camera at 6th & Union. However, you can see all 30 locations on the Seattle Police Department’s website at http://www.seattle.gov/police/programs/redlight.htm
Are snow plows allowed to pile up snow on streets? If so, is there a height limitation? It is hard seeing around some of the mountains.
Thank you.
If we get snow, we will plow to the right to support buses and the melting of snow and ice.
How much did SDOT pay for the rechannelization of Nickerson? How do I obtain an itemized expense account for this project?
This question requires a fairly detailed answer, so you can expect a direct reply in approximately ten business/working days (please allow for city holiday – Jan 2). We appreciate your patience.
Corrected email
—– Original Message —
From: Janet Reynolds
Sent: 12/1/2011 7:42:49 AM
Subject: Comments about KeyArena – Concert or Other Event location
We live in Bellingham and while we have been to Seattle Center many times, we always find it difficult to return to I-5 Northbound following the signage. There is too much traffic, and not enough signs to follow, making it difficult to navigate our way back, especially in the dark, and with all the other drivers leaving the event at the same time.
Thank you for your comments. We have forwarded your inquiry to SDOT staff. An answer to your question will be sent directly to you, however, please note that it will likely be a few weeks before you hear from the department. Your patience is appreciated!
We live in Bellingham and while we have been to Seattle Center many times, we always find it difficult to return to I-5 Northbound following the signage. There is too much traffic, and not enough signs to follow, making it difficult to navigate our way back, especially in the dark, and with all the other drivers leaving the event at the same time.
I am investigating the possibilty of adding gas service to an existing office building on Dexter Ave N. PSE has relayed info of the SDOT 5 year moratorium on doing any cuts in the new paving on Dexter. I would like someone to contact me concerning this. Is this moratorium hard and fast? If exceptions can be made, what are the parameters for restoration of the road surface and potential costs? Thank you.
Thank you for your questions. We ask that you please contact Street Use directly. They are familiar with the pavement moratorium exception policy. The permit counter can be reached by phone at 206-684-5283, however priority is given to walk-in customers.
For more information visit: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_contact.htm
The bike lane in front of Dick’s on 45th in Wallingford is really bad for cyclists and I, for one, will never ride in it. See discussion from people that actually bike in this city here: http://seattlebikeblog.com/2011/12/14/spot-with-most-bike-involved-collisions-gets-new-bike-lane
It sort of looks like SDOT is reacting to a report on bike collisions with this lane, which is fundamentally the wrong way to do things. I’ve walked, ran, biked, and driven past here many times. This block is a menace for everyone, especially pedestrians. The problem isn’t cyclists, and the danger to cyclists doesn’t come from behind, it comes from the sides, so a bike lane here is incoherent. The problem is turns into and out of Dick’s. And the solution is to ban left turns into and out of Dick’s.
Thanks for contacting us.
The goal of the improvements on N 45th St fronting the Dick’s restaurant was to create defined space with a buffer for bicyclists and give additional warning and visual indications to both bicyclists and motor vehicles of potential conflicts between turning vehicles and bicycles. We added:
• a buffered bike lane,
• added bike legends, and
• warning signs for both vehicles and bicycles
There are some minor signing and striping changes that still need to be completed. There are no plans to install green bike lanes at this time, but SDOT will continue to monitor this location.