First Ave S & Raiload Way S

There are currently two marked crosswalks at 1st Avenue South and South Railroad Way . SDOT has completed a technical analysis of these crosswalks and determined that changes are needed to meet city safety guidelines. SDOT will be removing the southern crosswalk and improving the northern crosswalk through the installation of “in-pavement flashers.”

In-pavement flashers are amber lights embedded in the pavement on both sides of the crosswalk used to alert motorists to the presence of a pedestrian crossing. When the pedestrian activates the system, either by using a push-button or through detection from an automated device, the lights begin to flash, warning the motorist that a pedestrian is in the vicinity of the crosswalk ahead. For additional information about in-pavement flashers, please refer to http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsmart/tlite.htm

Before deciding to remove the southern marked crosswalk, SDOT considered:

• reducing the number of travel lanes; and

• installing a traffic signal.

Because of the current traffic volume and the importance of 1st Ave S as a vehicle travel route, SDOT is not recommending a reduction in the number of travel lanes. Further, this is not an appropriate place for a new signal. To meet federal standards for a pedestrian signal, a location requires 100 pedestrians an hour for a four-hour period, or 190 pedestrians in a single hour. This location does not have that volume of pedestrians.

Once the southern crosswalk is removed, the preferred pedestrian crossing for this section of 1st Ave S will be the northern crosswalk located at 1st Ave S and S Railroad Way . It is also important to note that, according to Washington state law, a legal pedestrian crossing exists at every intersection regardless of whether or not a crosswalk is marked. Thus, pedestrians will continue to have a legal right to cross at the southern location.

For the safety of our crews who must work in traffic, and to reduce the impact on mobility in the area, this work may take place in the early morning hours or on a weekend.

If you have questions or comments about the removal of this crosswalk, please call SDOT’s comment line at (206) 615-1608 or email us at walkandbike@seattle.gov.