Seattle’s biggest speed traps are just south of Ballard Bridge

Meghan Walker Ballard

If you’ve been nabbed for speeding just after crossing the Ballard Bridge in Interbay, you’re not alone.

According to a report from MyNorthwest, it’s the city’s biggest speed trap. They report that of 3,800 total speeding tickets issued last year, 930 came from the 2600 block of 15th Avenue West, next to the Interbay U-Haul.

The second highest number of tickets were given out just north of there, with police issuing 437 tickets on the 2800 block of 15th Ave W.

It could be that old habits die hard: the area used to be a 40mph zone, but in 2014, dropped to 30mph.

The Seattle Department of Transportation said the limit changed during construction on the Emerson overpass and when Fire Station 20 was built on the 2800 block. Prior to the change, the speed limit dropped to 30 further south when where 15th turns into Elliott Ave W — SDOT says it wanted a consistent speed limit on both roads.

15 thoughts to “Seattle’s biggest speed traps are just south of Ballard Bridge”

  1. Yep, I got nabbed there a few months ago, going 48. 30 is an absurd limit for that section, it could easily be 45. But it would need to drop down both north and south of there with all the lights, so I guess that’s the logic?

    2. I totally agree with you. I don’t know of any other road in Seattle that I wish was faster. 30 is pretty ridiculous, so no wonder there’s so many tickets because to a driver it feels like it should be much faster.

      1. Got it:
        Homeless = arrest them if they don’t follow the law
        Entitled MyBallardites = The laws are clearly wrong if I can’t do what I want whenever I want

        1. Well, tickets are being given and paid by drivers who break the law. If the same could be said of those who steal bicycles, prowl cars, and sell illegal drugs, those privileged villainous Ballardites would not feel that they live in a city where the laws are applied unequally.

          1. LOL, I’m going to speed an endanger pedestrians/other drivers/bicyclists, because someone is using drugs or stole my diet pills delivered from Amazon.

            Makes sense buddy

      3. yeah, every time I’ve gone the max speed of 30 through there I’ve got honked at by aggressive drivers as they swerved around me.

    3. Ok genius, if you were going 48, you’d still be breaking the law even at 45. Also, maybe check your privilege and think about pedestrians, bicycles, anyone besides yourself when driving.

  2. Whether people agree with the 30 MPH speed or not (I particularly don’t without additional measures to naturally calm speeds), the average speeds approach 50 or more, so I’m not sure how people can complain about the old speed being 40…5 years ago.

  3. Just get over with it and lower ALL speed limits to 20 and give us all a ticket. This IS revenue enhancement at it’s best. If they don’t do this…………………………………..your property taxes are going up.

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