SEATTLE (KOMO) — After seven months of construction, the city of Seattle formally debuted a first-of-its-kind "protected intersection".
"I think the biggest thing is the actual light. There was no light here before," said Seattle resident Harper Ellison as she looked at the new traffic light and painted crosswalks.
In November, the city started construction on this "protected intersection" at Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street in the South Lake Union neighborhood, which was routinely one of the most congested in the city. In January 2023, Jaahnavi Kandula was in this intersection when a Seattle police unit responding to a call hit and killed her.
Traffic signals make it easier for people to walk and bike. For example, drivers cannot turn on a red light.
There are also concrete barriers and planters to separate bikes and cars.
I think more people are walking, taking bikes, little scooters and I think it's great, and there been an evolution so I'm glad they are continuing to evolve from roundabouts,” said Stephen Chene, who is moving to Seattle from Michigan.Selecting this first spot was data-driven. According to the Seattle Department of Transportation, many of the city’s serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are concentrated downtown and in South Lake Union.
"There's a lot of people who come in the morning and there's a lot of people who come when it's dark. When it's dark it's really hard to see the cars and there was no light so I think it's going to be a lot safer," said Ellison.
This is all part of a larger improvement project along Thomas Street, which is a greenway.
Sidewalks will be widened to help move people from Seattle Center to South Lake Union during large events like festivals and concerts.
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