On a ride yesterday, I noticed the coming traffic signal for Fremont Ave and 105th is already in place, getting ready to go. Once it is running, it will plug a hole in the Fremont Ave bike boulevard, which is part of the interurban bike route stretching from Everett and Seattle.
Currently, this intersection has stop signs on Fremont, forcing bikes to try to cross four lanes of traffic on 105th. This crossing is made even more dangerous because cars headed west on 105th come over the crest of a hill near the intersection, making them harder to see and predict. The signed bike route actually detours riders down a couple blocks to Dayton to use the signal there, then directs them back to Fremont.
Once completed, this signal will behave similarly to the signals at 80th and 85th on Fremont. Motor vehicles will be forced to turn onto 105th, but bicycles will be allowed to continue straight through. This discourages cars from using this residential street as an alternative arterial while allowing bicycles to use the route as a low-traffic route.
The signal calms traffic on a residential street, makes biking more comfortable and gives cars a signal for making left turns onto a busy four-lane arterial. It’s the best solution this side of a road diet (oops, did I say that out loud?)
Comments
One response to “Signal getting ready at Fremont and 105th”
“Motor vehicles will be forced to turn onto 105th…” should read motor vehicles are supposed to turn onto 105th. Unlike bike boulevards in Portland, our Fremont Ave bike boulevard doesn’t force a car to do anything. There are no cross traffic stop signs. I live half a block off Fremont Ave in Greenwood. I assure you 25 – 30% of cars ignore the “must turn” sign and go straight through the light, using Fremont Ave. N. as a by-pass for Greenwood Ave N. and Linden Ave N.
I’m a BIG believer in bike boulevards. I use the Fremont Ave section virtually every day, but Seattle DOT’s implementation leaves much to be desired.