- Target:
- City of Issaquah
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- www.komonews.com
On June 26, 2015, a 4-year-old boy was struck and fatally injured by a vehicle while in the NW Oak Crest Drive/ Newport Way NW crosswalk. This incident was due in no small part to the inadequate safety measures for that intersection.
Newport Way NW has a 40 mph speed limit, which is very high for a road bordered by multiple residential sections. Residents of surrounding neighborhoods have noted that cars also tend to exceed this speed limit with some frequency, especially during peak driving times.
Driving eastbound on Newport Way, the crosswalk for the NW Oak Crest Drive intersection is preceded by a blind curve less than 100 yards from the intersection, which makes it very difficult for pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars leaving NW Oak Crest Drive onto Newport Way or coming westbound on Newport Way NW and turning left into NW Oak Crest Drive, to see approaching eastbound vehicles. It also makes it difficult for drivers approaching the intersection on Newport Way NW to see those individuals and vehicles before it is too late to slow down.
While the crosswalk does have a flashing pedestrian sign that can be activated by pedestrians and bicyclists, a. it is very hard to see that it is lit up in the daylight hours, b. it is very hard to see when coming around the blind curve, and c. it is far enough to the side of the road that many drivers unfamiliar with the road do not notice it.
The sidewalk/ walking path in this area is used frequently by bicyclists, joggers, runners, and families. As the traffic flow has increased on Newport Way NW, the safety of those using this path has been compromised. In order to prevent any further injuries, accidents, or fatalities, the City of Issaquah needs to improve the safety of the NW Oak Crest Drive and Newport Way NW intersection.
We, the undersigned, call on the City of Issaquah to improve the safety of the Oak Crest Drive and Newport Way NW intersection. We propose that one or more of the following measures be taken:
1. Lower the speed limit of Newport Way NW between SE 54 Street and Hwy 900;
2. Place speed bumps on either side of the NW Oak Crest Drive- Newport Way NW intersection;
3. Install a traffic signal at the intersection of NW Oak Crest Drive and Newport Way NW;
4. Place a stop sign on Newport Way NW at the Oak Crest Drive intersection.
If the City of Issaquah has other viable options that would do an equally good or better job protecting this crosswalk, of course those options should also be considered instead of or in addition to the proposed ideas.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Traffic Safety Measures for Oak Crest Newport Intersection petition to City of Issaquah was written by Amy Miller and is in the category Roads & Transport at GoPetition.