Eastlake Ave E & E Allison St

SDOT has completed a technical analysis of the unsignalized marked crosswalk at Eastlake Avenue East and East Allison Street. This crosswalk no longer meets city safety guidelines and must be improved. SDOT will be installing a median island to assist pedestrians in crossing Eastlake Ave E. As a result, there will also be a restriction on left turns for motor vehicles traveling in the southbound direction.

Other alternatives SDOT considered include:

• reducing the number of travel lanes;

• installing a traffic signal; and

• removing the marked crosswalk.

Because of the current traffic volume and the importance of Eastlake Avenue East 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 median is installed and the turning restriction is in effect, southbound motorists looking to turn left should instead turn at the intersection of Eastlake Ave E and Harvard Ave E.

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 median project and the left turn restrictions, please call SDOT’s comment line at (206) 615-1608 or email us at walkandbike@seattle.gov.