Seattle Press on Line - Fremont Traffic Study Recommendations Released

Fremont Traffic Study Recommendations Released

Nov 15, 2000 -- Projected traffic growth and the opening of several new large office, retail and residential buildings in central Fremont will mean slower traffic and longer delays in the next few years.

The Fremont Neighborhood Council, using funds from the City Department of Neighborhoods, commissioned traffic consultant Marni Heffron to study potential problems for traffic flow, pedestrian access, and local circulation and make some recommendations for improvements. Input from residents and business owners was sought at several public forums and meetings. Following is a summary of the principal recommendations that will be made to the city Department of Transportation (SEATRAN).

Some of these improvements are interdependent and have been grouped into packages that should be implemented together. Other improvements are independent and could be implemented at any time.

Package #1

-Provide eastbound left-turn pocket on North 36th Street at Evanston Avenue. This change would eliminate approximately five parking spaces adjacent to the funeral home.

-Install traffic signal at Fremont Avenue/36th Avenue, and synchronize with other signals on Fremont Avenue. As an interim solution, consider installing stop signs on Fremont Avenue to create a four-way stop-controlled intersection.

-Evaluate traffic calming measures on North 36th Street between Fremont Avenue North and Woodland Park Avenue. These measures would reduce potential impact associated with a new traffic signal at 36th Street/Fremont Avenue. This signal could increase traffic volumes and speeds on section of North 36th Street east of Fremont Avenue, which is primarily a residential street.

-Prohibit hard left turns from Fremont Place to Fremont Avenue. Remove parking on north side of 35th Street near Fremont Avenue where bus stop used to be and providing a short thru-right lane during peak hours (three to four vehicles). Parking prohibition could be limited to the p.m. peak period (3 - 6 p.m.).

Package #2

-Install traffic signal at 36th Street/Evanston Avenue/Fremont Place (Lenin) intersection, and synchronize with other signals on North 36th Street and Fremont Place.

-Allow two-way traffic on Evanston Avenue south of North 36th Street.

-Allow two-way traffic on new Evanston Avenue ramp at Quadrant site. Install signs on the exit ramps to remind drivers to look both ways for bicyclists.

-Channelize intersection at 34th Street/Troll Way/Adobe Driveway to prohibit left turns and through movements from Adobe. All egress would be restricted to right-turn only. Vehicles destined to the west would be re-directed to the new Evanston Avenue ramp via the internal street on the campus (Canal Drive). Vehicles that go straight to Troll Way would be redirected to the exit at Northlake Way.

Install "right-turn-only" signs on eastbound 35th Street near the Triangle Tavern (for vehicles at the stop sign). This restriction would discourage drivers from cutting straight across Fremont Place from the stop sign to the eastbound left-turn lane.

Independent Actions.

-Interconnect and optimize all signals in downtown Fremont.

-Extend one-way restriction on North 34th Street west to Phinney Avenue. Remove parallel parking on south side of street and install angle parking on north side of street.

-Stripe bike lane along south curb.

-Augment "No Parking" signs on south side of the street.

-Evaluate pedestrian crossing improvements on North 34th Street between Fremont Avenue North and Aurora Avenue North. This could include improvements to the existing crosswalk between the corner of the Adobe Building and the "Waiting for the Interurban" island, which crosses the higher-speed right-turning traffic. It could also include mid-block crosswalks or pedestrian barriers to prevent this mid-block crossing, and/or an improved crossing at Aurora Avenue North.

-Change the Fremont Avenue North/North 39th Street/Fremont Way North intersection to allow westbound left turns from Fremont Way North to southbound Fremont Avenue. This would require changing the current lane use on the westbound approach, and changing the signal phasing to provide a separate westbound left-turn phase.

-Extend curb on North 35th Street just east of Fremont Avenue North (adjacent to Yak's Restaurant.) That would accommodate a right-turning bus while physically prohibiting parking near the corner. Illegally parked vehicles often prevent buses from making this turn, and existing signage and striping has not eliminated this parking.

-Left-turn movements onto North 35th Street would also have to be accommodated with the extended curb.

-Restrict the alley to the PCC Market (Mohammed Alley) between Fremont Avenue North and PCC's parking lot to one-way eastbound.

-Improve Albion Way/North 34th Street intersection to minimize existing conflicts between vehicles on Albion Way and westbound bicyclists.

-Provide truck loading zones on North 34th Street. At least two loading zones (one east and one west of Evanston Avenue) should be provided at all times. If additional loading zones are needed, they could be restricted to morning hours (e.g., 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.). After 11:00 a.m., the truck loading zones could revert to general-purpose parking available for lunch customers in Fremont.

-Address truck versus residential traffic control needs on Phinney Avenue North between North 36th Street and North 39th Street. The Department of Neighborhoods has requested funding for a comprehensive freight study of the south Ballard area. The potential use of Phinney Avenue North should be addressed as part of this study.

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