I recently wrote an article about how the City of Kirkland told me they were considering a traffic revision at the intersection of NE 137th St. and 100th Ave NE near the Kirkland/Juanita Safeway. I had complained about the setup there. The City of Kirkland was quick to respond, marking the east side with a badly needed double-center line and lane line. I appreciate their quickness to replace the center line and lane. However the arrows are a different story.
I can only assume that the City of Kirkland disagrees with me about what arrows should be installed on both the east and west side of that intersection. I emailed them and even appeared in person to discuss revising the arrow setup and, in my opinion, improving traffic flow in that area. I wouldn't want to think that they just didn't listen.
The way the arrows are now is a Right Turn Only arrow (Curb lane)...unnecessary since one has the option of a free right turn here...and in the center lane is a combination Left Turn/Through arrows...thus slowing traffic flow because Through traffic must wait for Left turn traffic to clear before it can proceed. This setup exists on both the east and west side. What was suggested by me was a Through lane (Center lane) and the center lane would be a Left Turn Only lane. Through traffic would flow, right turn would flow, and left turn would yield to Through traffic instead of the other way around. Plus the through lanes would line up instead of being off center thus confusing oncoming traffic.
If anyone agrees that this intersection needs revision please let the City of Kirkland know. The more the better. No one can change things on their own.
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Pat Bray is a retired, 22-year Kirkland resident who lives on Finn Hill, still has kids at home and is an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam.
