The view from the Shafer Baillie Mansion
One of the more needlessly dangerous crossings on Capitol Hill is being repaired this week, helping to connect Volunteer Park to its neighbors to the south.
Thanks to the folks at the Shafer Baillie Mansion bed and breakfast for sending over a note and the picture updating on the work Thursday to install new stop signs and crosswalks at the intersection of 14th and Aloha.
The busy pedestrian crossing is now a four-way stop intersection which should make things safer for drivers and the stream of walkers, joggers, and bikers headed to Volunteer Park.
The intersection has been on the city’s list of projects for new crosswalks since it was identified during the Your Voice, Your Choice community process in 2018. Over the years, the solution transformed from new crosswalks and crossing beacons to a full-on four-way stop.
The work also comes as 14th Ave’s Millionaire’s Row became a popular pandemic-era extension of Volunteer Park for socially-distanced walking and exercise. Earlier this year, sidewalks were repaired and curb ramps were added near the park’s southern entrance.
Meanwhile, the city says it is striving “to accomplish as many paving projects as possible before the rainy season arrives” including a project this week on Harvard Ave.
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Great news! Now if only we can get the street repaved between Prospect and Aloha like the two blocks to the south.
Saw them out there working this morning and just about clicked my heels together I was so happy. People love to speed on Aloha there, the curves and hill make it pretty blind for all involved, and it’s pretty dang dark in the winter. This will (hopefully) be a big improvement.
Speed on Aloha? Kind of tough with those curves and the narrow lanes. Another solution looking for a problem.
I run a route up to Volunteer Park often, and this is the one corner I know I REALLY need to watch before crossing as people really do carelessly speed through this area. You may think it’s tough to speed through there, but tell that to the people who do it.
Glenn, have you ever driven up Aloha? It was very difficult to see pedestrians who were about to cross as you were coming up the curve.
You mean the 3-way stop at the 4-way intersection?
The city installed the 4th stop sign behind a tree. You can’t see the stop sign if you are driving west on E. Aloha.
The lack of visibility does make that intersection “better”, if you believe that “better” equals “more dangerous”.
Did they leave the flashing caution lights?
Aloha should not be an arterial street.
What a shame we couldn’t take a page from Bellevue’s book. That would have been an ideal spot for a pedestrian overpass – it’s such a lovely corner! And to be completely fair, there’s a 4-way crossing *with a stoplight* a mere block away, so adding a stop sign and crosswalks here seems dumb. An overpass footbridge would have been a nice compromise. Would have limited tall truck traffic, too, which is either a pro or a con depending on your viewpoint, I suppose.
You’re joking right? An overpass at this location would be nuts.
Great news! I can’t count the number of times I’ve almost been hit by a car trying to cross this intersection – between the hill and curve it’s almost impossible to see oncoming traffic or for them to see you. This is a major pedestrian walkway from the neighborhood into the park. Thanks to all who made this happen.
I hope there’s good visibility for the stop signs. I’ll have to go check it out. It’s almost irresistible to come up that satisfying, tree-lined curve too fast right there, and crossing on foot or bike feels like taking your life in your own hands. I wish they’d fix the paving so biking 14th didn’t rattle your teeth out of your mouth.
I unfortunately almost drove right through it today. There needs to be better driver alerts for a new 4-way stop from the westbound direction!
The Aloha chicane was fun to drive at speed. It will be missed for sure.
But I’m glad for my pedestrian and cyclist friends. Hopefully they’ll use the stop too before crossing.
Nothing gets your heart beating before a walk in the park like a near death experience crossing the street to get there.