If you’ve driven up and down Stone Way recently, you may have noticed new construction of center islands at N. 43rd St. The islands are part of the Wallingford Neighborhood Greenway project, though they’ve been scaled back a bit from SDOT’s original plan, which you can read here.
In a nutshell, SDOT was going to “install a median crossing island in the center two-way-left-turn lane on Stone Way N at N 43rd Street, including cut-through access for bicyclists;” but according to the Seattle Bike Blog, those plans have been scaled back in response to concerns from nearby residents. So now, once the islands are complete, motorists will still be able to make left-hand turns from N. 43rd onto Stone Way N. and from Stone Way on to N. 43rd. SDOT has an updated FAQ about the revision here.
I asked Cathy Tuttle, who has been working with SDOT on the neighborhood greenway, about her impressions of the revised Stone Way crossing, and she replied that while she thought it provided a safe crossing for pedestrians, it’s not ideal for bicyclists; however, it’s not necessarily the scaled back version that Tuttle is frustrated about, it’s the fact that SDOT placed the crossing on Stone Way at N. 43rd St., which is one heck of a hill (my words, not hers, I won’t even run up that hill much less ride up with a bike!) Tuttle writes:
The Stone Way crossing is not ideal, but then again it does provide engineered pedestrian refuges (concrete islands in the middle of the road) and 43rd is NOT the preferred route for cyclists, particularly people traveling east. People who bike tend to choose the far less steep Allen or go to the signal at 45th.
For pedestrians, the Stone Way crossing islands will be a blessing. Many elderly people live and use transit on either side of Stone Way. Many kids cross here to go to school (B.F. Day, Hamilton, MacDonald). Greenways are intended to support much safer arterial crossings for people who walk as as well as safe crossings for people who bike. I think this intersection is sufficient.
Since the start of the project, we have asked that bicycles and pedestrians be prioritized through engineered solutions such as stop signs and speed bumps at intersections. We are not convinced signs on the road and on poles will allow us to reach our goal of providing a prioritized route for ‘8 to 80’ year olds or create a ‘low stress’ bikeway. We will keep an open mind and see if the signs do the trick but we do think this greenway will ultimately need an engineered approach with speed bumps, control signs, or both.
I am amazed that the City of Seattle, with streets in disrepair, filled with cracks and potholes, continues to pour money into a bicycle fantasy which will only suit the use of tiney portion of the population. The priorities of Mayor McSchwinn and his cronies are ridiculous.
Thanks Wallyhood and Margaret!
@M.C. the idea of greenways is to make slower, safer neighborhood streets so that all of us — people walking dogs, people in wheelchairs, children walking to school, neighbors walking or biking to do their grocery shopping, people who live on a residential street who enjoy not having speeding traffic outside, people who want to reclaim their streets as public places that can be used for parking, driving, walking, and biking, That is what greenways are. I think creating greenways in Wallingford, and throughout Seattle, is a good public investment!
As someone who does not bike, I love the idea of these Greenways. It is my understanding that the projects include street and sidewalk repairs as well as increased safety at major crossings. This benefits everyone! I also like the idea of calming traffic on residential streets instead or arterials, this means fewer traffic jams and safer neighborhood streets. I hope they put one next to my house.
I agree with m.c. Still, if the city is determined to go forward with this waste of money, I’m glad that the project will not include stop signs and speed bumps. As with all streets, the greenway will be safe enough if pedestrians stay on the sidewalks and bicyclists stay on the side of the road.
A bicycle has never created a pothole, yet cyclists have to pay to get them filled. You’re welcome.
I appreciate this update. I’m supportive of the greenway, and am thrilled to see what looks like a crosswalk at 43rd. That’s great for my family as we try to cross the road from the west to get to Wallingford park, Wallingford Center, downtown Wallingford and Stoneway Hardware – our favorite hotspots. I didn’t think a crosswalk was part of the plan so maybe this is part of the revision? Anyway, glad to see it. I feel like anything that connects our neighborhood to the rest of Wallingford is extremely welcome. Technically we’re “Fremont” but that seems ridiculous – we’re much more tied to Wallingford and helping us cross busy Stone makes it more so.
Thank you, Cathy, for your efforts. Having a pedestrian refuge at 43rd and Stoneway will be a huge safety improvement for the neighborhood. BTW, Jenny, I don’t know how far south you live in the “between area”, but if you are north of 40th I believe that you are a resident of Wallingford according to the Neighborhood Plan. It is the area south of 40th where the two plans make claims and turn to the area into Wallymont or Freford.
Looking back at the evolution of the route, it appears that the city has been pretty unwavering in running the greenway down the mega-slope at 43rd and Stone Way. The suggestion to change the route at the west end has been made pretty consistently since the proposed route was first posted over a year ago. Ahh, well, guess it is true you can’t fight City Hall… at least without a huge effort!
I’m excited about the greenway, especially the crossing on Stone. I hope that once it’s in place, there will be increased support to add speed bumps, stop signs, and whatever else is necessary to make it safer. It’s pretty scary out there for a pedestrian – particularly at night and/or in the rain.
And I’m not really sure why so many assume that it’s most important to spend limited dollars first on roads and then on bike/pedestrian paths (if any is left). In my humble (but also house-owning, car-owning, and sales-tax paying) opinion, it should really be the reverse.
I’m glad you can still turn left at Stone Way/43rd, and I do like the little island for easier crossing when walking. But in all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen a bike go up or down that slope. I see bikes go north/south on my street all the time, but never west/east on 43rd.
One argument for fixing potholes for cars is… bikes can easily avoid potholes, but a car can be quite damaged by a pothole, and the owner of a damaged car can have the city pay for the repair (our tax dollars). Besides, as much as biking might be the ideal way to commute and be healthy, there are way more tax paying cars on the roads than bikes. Also, if its raining hard, a biker can just as easily hit a pothole and sustain much more bodily damage. Just thinking out loud.
Disappointing about the scaled-back plans, but it’s a great start! Thanks Cathy and the Wallingford Greenway group. Stone Way will need this and more traffic-calming infrastructure as it attracts more residents and retail businesses.
I live very close to this intersection. I have never seen a bicyclist go east/west at this site. Lots go north/south.. some faster then I do in my car. It has a nice hill effect.
I suspect that this construction will benefit residents of the large building which is in construction just west of the Greenway on Stone.
I’m disappointed this is being scaled back but also want to thank Cathy and the Greenway group for making this happen.
Locoloco- the target is reluctant bikers, the elderly, and kids- not the bikers already on stone. I’m skeptical they’ll show up in any real numbers on steep hills just because a greenway is declared, but we’ll see.
Anyhow, like you say the crosswalk makes sense regardless of the rate of bike use. That’s also where most of the money goes- into the 2 crossings at Wallingford and Stoneway.
As a pedestrian who “plays frogger” across Stone Way at that intersection on a pretty much daily basis, I’m thrilled to see a crosswalk going in. Stone Way can be pretty scary to cross sometimes, especially in the dark or in the rain, when the cars are going fast and you don’t feel very visible. I love how walkable Wallingford is and this will only make things better – I think it’s a great use of funds.
@Eric – Are they doing any new work at Wallingford Ave? The current curb bulbs and crosswalk were installed by Friends of Wallingford Playfield during the playground improvements back in 1999 to 2003.
@Greg- I’m not in the loop, but I assume they’ll paint on bike markings like they’re doing at Stoneway. The amount of fuss and process cost given the limited outcome here is cause for concern…
As I stood at Stone Wy and 43rd last week waiting for the 16 bus (which seemed to be extremely off schedule), I witnessed several cars struggling with the new islands. Whether it was the morning sun or glancing up to southbound traffic, several cars turning left from 43rd onto SBound Stone wy swerved to miss the island. I actually saw one poor person run right over the island, fortunately just missing the reflector sign.
I noticed that reflector sign is not on both sides of the pole, so it doesn’t face a car turning from 43rd. Similar signs on 45th have those yellow/black caution signs on both sides, seems like they better do the same here.
Also, has there been consideration that these islands don’t allow for a functional turning lane anymore?