Most Ballardites are very familiar with the bizarre angled intersection of 20th Ave. NW and NW Vernon Place with Leary Ave. NW (the corner with the Olympic Athletic Club).
Pedestrians often take their lives in their hands crossing Leary diagonally — especially on busy Sundays when the market is in full swing and speeders fly down Leary. For drivers heading south on 20th, it can be a tricky maneuver navigating across Leary into Old Ballard.
Thanks to money from Seattle Neighborhoods’ “Your Voice, Your Choice” program — which is decided by community voting — changes are coming to the intersection.
An all-way stop sign with a flashing beacon will be installed at Leary and NW Vernon, and curb bulbs will be added on three corners. Workers will also install new marked crosswalks. SDOT says the changes will increase “walkability, safety, and predictability.”
Michael Grass noticed a sign has gone up at the site (thanks @mgrass for the photo above), and construction is expected to begin this month.
By the way, there are 5 other “Your Voice, Your Choice” projects approved for the greater Ballard area, including improvements along 14th Ave. NW just north of Holman Road. Here’s the list.