I’ve misplaced monitor of what number of instances I’ve been handed by rushing automobiles (or been in close to head-on collisions) whereas driving 25 mph on the gorgeous 3-mile Seattle Parks part of Lake Washington Boulevard, between Mount Baker Seaside and Seward Park. So nowadays, I drive different routes, besides after I get to journey the fantastic stretch with new pace cushions between Mount Baker Rowing and Crusing Heart in Stan Sayres Park, and Seward Park. I additionally keep away from strolling alongside the stretch with out traffic-calming measures.
Not too long ago, I felt hopeful realizing Seattle planned to increase visitors calming all the way in which north to Mount Baker Seaside. So it was a intestine punch when Seattle Parks announced watered-down plans, most notably halting additional speed-cushion implementation until further study. To guard those that reside, drive, stroll, take transit and/or bike via Southeast Seattle, Seattle should recommit to implementing the complete traffic-calming and pedestrian infrastructure plans this yr.
Seattle supplied minimal justification for this about-face, although King 5 reported final week town referred to as pace cushions “polarizing.” Positive, I’ve heard people complain that pace cushions sluggish them down an excessive amount of. However that’s exactly the purpose: to ensure people drive the speed limit (i.e., save lives). And cushions achieve this with out enforcement-based options that may disproportionately harm communities of color.
As a father or mother of younger children, I’m particularly crushed that these lifesaving measures, beforehand deliberate on the very northern barrier of the 3-mile parks stretch (Lake Park Drive/Mount Baker Seaside), have been minimize from the plans, maybe completely. This can be a high-volume, complicated intersection the place many households cross between Mount Baker Park and the seaside. Town deliberate to put in a three-way cease there, which many applauded, myself included. That plan was inexplicably deserted, according to the project’s engineer. And now, the pace cushion concession is in query. I typically take my children on the Metro 50 to Seward Park, so I’m additionally dissatisfied that Orcas intersection enhancements on the northern fringe of Seward Park have been shelved. Each segments want state-of-the-art traffic-calming and pedestrian infrastructure.
Speeding is rampant on the boulevard. In a 2023 study, one driver was discovered to be going over 70 mph. There have been about 14 crashes annually from 2015-2022 on this stretch of the boulevard. Already this summer season, there have been terrifying collisions, together with one the place a teen narrowly escaped serious injury as the victim of a hit-and-run. Reckless drivers find yourself in the lake, together with at Mount Baker Beach.
Regardless of this information and five years of course of, Seattle now says more study is needed earlier than implementing pace cushions. This may solely waste sources and ignore what research after research has already pointed to: visitors calming.
Some argue pace cushions sluggish emergency autos however studies show that’s not true. Others could really feel they should drive over 25 mph, given calls for on their time. These stresses are actual, however they’ll’t be resolved on the expense of others’ security. As an alternative, options like enhancing public transportation entry ought to be thought-about. (How superior would a brand new Metro route be, that hits seashores/parks from South to Central Seattle alongside the Boulevard?).
Some say slowing visitors on the boulevard will push rushing visitors elsewhere. Seattle ought to due to this fact calm visitors on parallel arterials: Martin Luther King Jr. Manner, thirty eighth Avenue South and Rainier Avenue South. Such modifications align with many neighborhood members’ priorities. For instance, in a College of Washington research I co-led, Seattle youth of shade advocated for more traffic calming, better pedestrian infrastructure and improved public transit access throughout South Seattle.
It doesn’t matter what transportation mode you’re utilizing on the boulevard, it’s arduous to disregard how treacherous it may be. In the event you agree, you’ll be able to write letters supporting visitors calming on the boulevard (and in addition on Rainier Avenue South). Though extremely unlikely, even when a majority of Seattleites abhor pace cushions, that shouldn’t impede implementation of evidence-based, lifesaving infrastructure. Metropolis leaders: Do what’s proper and defend the well-being of Seattleites by making this treasured house accessible and secure for all.
The views expressed are these of the writer and don’t essentially signify these of the College of Washington.
