New Sand Point Way Signal Crossing Now Activated At 52nd Avenue NE



new signal at Sand Point Way and 52nd Avenue NE



 

 

The new signal at Sand Point Way and 52nd Avenue NE is now operational, Paul Elliott with the 

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) told us.

 

Last week drivers may have noticed that the signal was put into a testing flash mode, with flashing yellow on both streets, which also helps introduce motorists to the presence of the light, Paul said.

Construction on the light began late last year which included demolition, grading and site preparation followed by framing, concerte pouring and finish work.

 

The signal is part of Children's Hospital's traffic mitigation plan called the Livable Streets Initiative, included in the Major Institutions Master Plan, which is a 20 year plan for improving bike/pedestrian connectivity throughout Northeast Seattle.  The goal of the initiative is to "create projects to improve safety, health, flow of transportation and livability around the hospital," their website says.
 
The signal is project number 7 of the Livable Street Initiative, Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Children's Director of Transportation and Sustainability, told us. He added that the project "was identified from community input in 2010 and paid for with a combination of Seattle Children’s Livable Streets funds and Neighborhood Matching Grant Funds.  
 
Paulo added:

With the completion of this project and the access ramp to the Burke-Gilman Trail at the Hartman Building, we will have completed all of the phase one Livable Streets Initiative projects. The Initiative is intended to follow all phases of hospital expansion until the 2030 Master Plan is completed. When a new phase of development is approved, the LSI will pick up again with addition funds and new projects.

Cary, a Laurelhurst resident who worked on the project, told us the original recommendation for a crossing at this location came from the Sand Point Way Pedestrian Study and was requested by LCC and the NE District Council who participated in the original study.

"Adding a crossing signal will allow transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists a safer crossing. It also serves as a safe route to Laurelhurst Elementary school and access to the Burke Gilman Trail.," Cary told us.

 

NE 50^th Street was not deemed a good candidate for a signalized control because of its proximity to the Penny Drive signal.
 

For more information go here or email LivableStreets@SeattleChildrens.org.