This message sign is on NE 45th St. near the University Village Shopping Center.(Photo: Josh Green, KING 5)
Via King 5 News – Josh Green
SEATTLE – Homeowners in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood aren’t happy about a city proposal to put up a message sign along 24th Avenue E. near Lee Street.
Dynamic Message Signs are large overhead message boards that recommend different routes, limit travel speeds and warn of any other traffic problems. The signs are about 17 feet wide, seven feet tall and stand about 19 feet above the road.
“We’re appalled it’s being considered for a residential area,” said Seattle resident Heather Lowe. “It has no place and it shouldn’t be put up in that neighborhood, but only in industrial areas.
Scott Kubly, director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, told council members Tuesday the location is important for the sign because of Boyer Avenue E, a minor arterial, is the only arterial street in the area with a direct connection to an alternate crossing of the Ship Canal, the University Bridge.
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Sarah Rafton says
This sign is highly misguided and works counter to City goals to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Unlike the similar sign located near University Village and Laurelhurst: in Montlake there is no appropriate arterial to choose other than 24th. The sign near University Village allows drivers to elect to go up NE 45th Street on major, high traffic streets, built for high volumes, through the U. District to avoid Montlake Blvd. The area for the proposed Montlake sign has no similar alternative appropriate for high traffic volumes (and high speeds). Adjacent streets are residential and often very tight due to how narrow streets are especially with parked cars. Moreoever adjacent neighborhood streets are frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists accessing the Arboretum, Interlaken, elementary school, and community center. 26th Avenue East is a bicycle byway street and the sign could potentially divert commuting cars onto streets specifically designated for safe bicycle use. Diverting traffic into these neighborhood streets goes against City goals to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. If people elect to take a car, they should deal with the traffic associated with doing so; we should not penalize walkers and cyclists with high volumes of traffic on streets not intended for high car traffic. This works against everything we have learned about injury prevention. Please reconsider this sign.
Joan Karkeck says
I am also a long term resident of Boyer Avenue and have been appalled by the ever increasing traffic on Boyer and on 23rd NE. Diverting increasing numbers of cars from 23rd across Boyer is offensive. Getting into and out of your own driveway is a nightmare. People with children buckled into the backseat of their car are in constant danger of being crashed into by the “too anxious for common courtesy”, speeding drivers.
It is also offensive to put a huge sign up with lights and flashers in front of private residences. Trying to ease traffic through the incredible mess around the Montlake Bridge and 520 interchange is being done at the expense of hundreds of home owners in this area and others around the city. SDOT and the UW have created this mess and their intrusive intervention is not going to help. Joan Karkeck, Boyer Ave, WA. 98112
Daniel J. LaFond says
I have lived three houses south of Boyer Ave E. for 45 yrs and the traffic has always been terrible, max cars driving 40+ miles per hour, especially bad during early commute times. The five way stop, sort of round about, creates massive traffic issues. Moving cars to the University Bridge which is also back up because of all the Eastlake traffic is not a good idea, especially since a 54 unit condo is being built on the corner, the old Redrobin site, more of a mess. I think this move by SDOT is a response to UW, the new light rail station and all the various athletic events with their massive traffic mess, which we Montlakers have to deal with constantly, as we are already trapped in out own neighborhoods many times during the year. How about decreasing traffic into our area not increasing it for all those outsiders who use Boyer Ave E. as a neighborhood cut through to Lake Wash Bovld. I fear that with this new diversion approach soon when Montlake Bridge is open or back up, as is daily, more cars will be directed to Boyer Ave E. SDOT stop the sign and the madness. Daniel LaFond 1919 E. Eaton Pl. Seattle, WA 98112.
Montlake resident for 10 years says
We already have a serious problem with dangerous and fast traffic on Boyer. I can’t get people to stop for with my hands full with groceries and a child with me. This sounds like it would only increase this problem in our neighborhood.
Miriam Stone says
I oppose the sign, as it is unsightly and unnecessary. I have lived in Montlake for 20 years.