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Health & Fitness

Kirkland cares

Traffic revision considered

     It was not that long ago that I went to City Hall to air my concern about two intersections within the bounds of Kirkland. I had drawn a picture of one of the two thinking it would be much easier explaining what I saw as a problem there. The individual I spoke with produced a detailed picture of the same location I had so painstakingly illustrated. We discussed what my concerns were and I left still wondering if the City of Kirkland saw the same problem I did.

     The intersection I presented them with was NE 137th St. and 100th Ave NE on the east side. I have written in The Patch about this area before but I will refresh anyone's memory as to what the problem is there. On either side there is a Right Turn Only lane which to me seems unnecessary since a free Right is available anywhere in the city. The center lane is the Thru/Left Turn lane. This center lane is where all Thru traffic must wait for any Left Turn traffic to clear before they can proceed through the intersection. What I felt would be better is to have a Left Turn Only and Thru lane (The Thru lane would, ofcourse, be used to make a free Right Turn). Traffic would clear much sooner with this setup.

    
The other problem here is that there is no center line or lane line on the east side. I am assuming with the new boundaries of Incorporated Kirkland that there was some hesitation as to who would mark this street. Kirkland or King County. Anyway that matter has settled now and the City of Kirkland can get to work as I am sure they will. I am sure because they called me today and told me of their plan to consider revision of this intersection. What the change, if any, will be I don't really know. 

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     All the many streets in Kirkland are being marked very quickly and efficiently. The Pacific Northwest weather only allows a relatively brief window of opportunity to mark. I hope the revision can be decided and executed in what little remains of this year's paint and marking season. Otherwise it will be delayed to next year or the next. As rapidly as the City of Kirkland called me back I have strong faith that they will do their best to act on this problem. For now it is "Wait and See".

 

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