From left to right: Kari Olson, John O’Neil, Julee Neuhart and Lionel Job, four Montlake residents,were among the speakers at a City Council hearing requesting safety improvement for walkers and bikers in our neighborhood.

The Seattle City Council recently held a hearing to listen to residents supporting additional neighborhood projects that maybe funded by the 2015 budget.  Several Montlake residents spoke to the council requesting an additional  project  be added to the 23rd Avenue/24th Avenue Greenway Street Improvements Program that is now underway.  The request is a pedestrian-activated stop light at the intersection of 24th Avenue East and Interlaken Blvd.  Many bikers and walkers try to cross 24th at this location where the street is 5 lanes wide and there is no crosswalk and heavy traffic is often present.  The Montlake Community Club considers traffic calming at this location a high priority as the city seeks to improve safety in this corridor.  Adding this stop light would improve safety for bikers, walkers and drivers crossing through this busy intersection.