Tag Archives: crosswalks

With a redo on MLK, Central District crosswalks will receive Pan-African redesign

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As the latest development in a process kicked off by a rogue redesign of a crosswalk last summer, crosswalks across the Central District will be transformed into community symbols.

Eleven crosswalks will be painted in the colors of the Pan-African flag, the Seattle Department of Transportation announced this week. The redesign was sparked when members of the United Hood Movement painted crosswalks near Powell Barnett Park and at the intersection of MLK and Cherry in Pan-African colors of red, green and black to reflect the Central District’s history, in much the same way that the rainbow crosswalks of Capitol Hill reflect that neighborhood’s ties to the gay community.

SDOT put white tape around the crosswalk and began the conversation with Central District residents about a crosswalk redesign. In February of 2016, the SDOT formalized the redesign of the crosswalk outside Powell Barnett Park with a $7,500 paint job. But the city-approved markings — seen above — didn’t achieve the strong look many hoped for while adhering to safety requirements.

SDOT spokeswoman Sue Romero says SDOT worked with the RBG the CD group on planning a redesign. After the first attempt by the city resulted in a paint job many felt was lacking, SDOT agreed on a redo of the first paint jobs as part of a wider campaign across the neighborhood. “We met with the community who agreed they’d prefer a more impactful design and one that is consistent with the Broadway rainbow crosswalks and future community crosswalk designs,” said Romero. Continue reading →

How to get the City of Seattle to install a crosswalk traffic signal on Capitol Hill

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(Images: CHS)

First, you need an organization as dedicated and organized as the good neighbors behind the Melrose Promenade project. Then you need a new, $20 million neighbor to move in.

Construction crews have been hard at work at the intersection of Melrose and Pike this week installing an important set of street and sidewalk improvements — including the coveted pedestrian crosswalk signal that will soon be bringing Pike wheeled-vehicle travel to a halt so that residents, workers, and Starbucks Roastery tourists can safely cross the busy street. In all, it’s a $135,000 investment.

Right now, the crosswalks are painted but the hardware and signal are not yet fully in place making for a slightly harrowing crossing. SDOT says, depending on the weather, the signal light could be up and operational as early as next week. Pedestrians looking to cross Pike at Melrose will get a button to press on each side of the intersection. Once the system determines the proper amount of time has passed for traffic to clear around other signals in the area, the Pike signal will turn red for motor vehicles, bikes, etc. and the walk signal will turn green. For walkers, it’s an amazing change at one of the increasingly active neighborhood’s busiest crossings.

So, how did the project come together when other crossings — say, Pine at Boylston, for example — have not? Continue reading →