New markings at intersection confuse drivers

The intersection where 17th Ave NW meets NW Leary is not a traditional one. NW 48th St. also feeds in here and their have been no markings to determine the intersection, until recently.

As part of the Neighborhood Street Fund program, the Seattle Department of Transportation added stop signs, markings and a small raised curb island to the intersection. “This is SDOT’s response to a Ballard District Council request to provide a low cost improvement until future bicycle master plan and pedestrian projects are implemented,” Marybeth Turner with SDOT tells us. Above is the diagram sent to us to illustrate how the intersection is intended to flow.

Several drivers we saw were confused about which way to turn off 48th. “Vehicles and trucks heading eastbound on NW 48th Street now access NW Leary Way by first turning left onto 17th Ave NW and then turning right onto NW Leary Way at the new stop sign,” Turner explains. The eastbound-only lane south of the stripes heading onto Leary is to provide access to parking stalls for local businesses. (Thanks Michael for the tip!)