If you’ve driven on 15th Ave NW lately, you’ve likely noticed the new lights being installed on NW 53rd St. Crews have been developing a new crosswalk, complete with a center island, pedestrian signal and curb ramps. However, work has been slightly delayed as they wait for additional equipment to arrive. The Seattle Department of Transportation estimates that the pedestrian signal will be installed by the end of August or early September.
SDOT says that the half mile between Market St and Leary carries an estimated 50,000 vehicles and 15,000 bus passengers every day; a designated crosswalk will hopefully prevent pedestrians from having to dangerously dash across the road.
There will also be some changes to traffic flow, as the pedestrian island will replace the center turn lane on 15th at 53rd. There will also be a new bus lane from 53rd to 51st, where the center lane then disappears leading to the bridge. This means that cars will also no longer be able to use the center lane for turns at 52nd.
For more information on the project, plus other “spot improvement” SDOT is working on around the city, click here.
Photo: SDOT rendering of new crosswalk at NW 53rd St