Updated:There’s a new four-way stop near the Ballard Blocks at the intersection of 14th Ave. NW and NW Ballard Way. With new businesses in the area, traffic has been on the rise — and the intersection is the scene of frequent accidents.
Rick Sheridan with the Seattle Department of Transportation says that “SDOT received a request from the public to evaluate the intersection for an all-way stop. Our review of the location revealed increased roadway use and congestion due to the Trader Joe’s and development at the Ballard Blocks. Based on this analysis, the department believes the intersection will function better and provide greater accessibility for vehicles and pedestrians through this new configuration.”
“The first time I drove by there after the change, I waved about a dozen drivers on, before I realized I had the right of way,” writes Daisy D. in the forum. (Thanks EveryoneSeemsNormal for the first to post about it!)
A long overdue change. I can't believe this was overlooked in the DPD review back when the project was proposed. The same thing needs to be done at 14th & 46th one block south of there
I think the 14th and 46th intersection is much worse! I can't tell you how many times I've nearly been hit there (as a pedestrian or as a runner).
Although most of the danger seems to come from drivers coming south on 14th and turning right on 46th to get to the garage — they already have a stop sign but frequently blaze right through it.
A four way stop here will help, as long as everyone follows the rules. My horror story invovles a cyclist that blew through a stop sign at this intersection. I almost hit him.
Cars: Share the road.
Cyclists: Follow the rules.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!
During my commute from Ballard to Fremont, I can honestly say that at least 1/3 of the cyclist I observe do not follow the rules of the road. I damn near hit one today…they came blazing of the Burke Gilman onto the street (over by Sound Mind and Body) without even looking for traffic.
I almost got t-boned by some idiot on a commuter bike. I stopped at the sign then proceeded through the intersection. Next thing I know this a-hole goes flying right past the front of me in his bright yellow dork jacket. The real kicker in all this? I was on MY bicycle!! I'm a cyclist but I have to agree with Name, about 1/3 of the riders out there do blow through stop signs. Of course this is better than motorists, most of whom drive in excess of the speed limit and fail to use their turn signals! When it comes to obeying traffic laws neither cyclists or motorists are in a position to be pointing fingers! Plenty of selfish and dangerous idiots on both sides. Only difference is selfish idiot cyclists only end up hurting themselves with rare exception while selfish idiot motorists kill 40,000 people/year.
“The first time I drove by there after the change, I waved about a dozen drivers on, before I realized I had the right of way”
Stupid inattentive drivers are the problem, Daisy D. needs to be ashamed. Definitely needs to start paying a little more attention when driving.
UncleSnuffy, very well said. One of the big problems for law abiding cycles is the riders that fail to obey the traffic laws. I do my utmost to encourage riders to follow the rules. I is very frustrating for the majority of us law abiding riders when we see a rider failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, when I witness this I call out to them “hey bike rider, when you don’t stop you give all of us a bad name”. I can only hope that they get the message, or at least a ticket, before they get hurt
C'mon, it's still Ballard, where you're likely to encounter more than one Daisy D. Although it is funny it took her that long to catch on :)
I hate the Ballard Blocks traffic. The problem with most of this area is people flying into the intersections from the side streets.