Support a Safer Lake Washington Blvd!

Three logos of sponsoring groups: Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Accessible Lake Washington Boulevard, and Rainier Valley Greenways-Safe Streets

Thanks to past community advocacy for a safer and more accessible Lake Washington Boulevard, construction began in 2024, and speed humps and safe crossings have dramatically reduced dangerous speeding on the boulevard! 🎉🎉🎉

But the project was left half completed, and has had no impact on slowing speeds outside of that project zone. The funds are allocated, the design is approved, but where are the rest of the speed humps and stop signs?

It was just announced that Mayor Bruce Harrell has cut the majority of the safety improvements from the project, including 12 speed humps and a safety redesign at S Orcas St (https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/07/14/harrell-administration-drops-plans-for-more-lake-washington-boulevard-traffic-calming/), and then tried to bury the story in a misleading public announcement.

We need your help:

  1. Write an email in support of a safer and more accessible Lake Washington Blvd. Use the easy form letter to the right or write your own and send to: andy.sheffer@seattle.gov, AP.Diaz@seattle.gov, Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov, Mark.Solomon2@seattle.gov, PKS_BPRC@seattle.gov

  2. Share this page with 3 neighbors or friends. Word of mouth is the best form of advocacy.

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy!


BACKGROUND:

Lake Washington Boulevard is one of Seattle’s greatest parks. Year round, Seattle families enjoy walking, biking, rolling, swimming, pleasure drives, and more along the 3-mile shoreline between Mt Baker Beach and Seward Park.

As our city has grown, car traffic on Lake Washington Blvd has grown dramatically. More and more drivers use the boulevard as a highway, rather than as a scenic drive, bike ride, or stroll it was originally designed for, threatening the safety of other park users.

The proposed renovations are a set of low-cost “short term improvements” that are the result of an extensive three-year process, with vocal and ongoing community support for slowing dangerous speeding and rollover crashes along this peaceful park boulevard. The goal is to reduce vehicle speeds to the posted speed limit, reduce street racing, improve pedestrian access when crossing the blvd to access the waterfront, and improve safety for people walking, rolling, and biking along the blvd.

The speed humps and safe crossings installed in 2024 are incredibly helpful in slowing dangerous speeding, but not adequate to address safety for the full 3-mile corridor.

Now, the rest of the safety improvements have been stripped from the plan.




We are asking elected officials and city staff to complete the remaining portion of the project as originally designed with all the included safety improvements from Mt. Baker Beach to Seward Park.

Additionally, Mayor Harrell removed a three-way stop at Lake Washington Boulevard and Lake Park Drive S (at Mt Baker Beach) from the plan in January, despite positive community feedback, recommendations from SDOT traffic engineers, and lack of significant delay for drivers. This intersection remains dangerous for families trying to access Mt Baker Beach, and we are asking for the three-way stop to be reinstated and completed as designed.

References / Links:

  • Project info: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/lake-washington-boulevard-renovations

  • Community meeting in December 2024: https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/01/08/lake-washington-boulevard-traffic-calming-fight/

  • Extensive process: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/healthy-streets/lake-washington-blvd-keep-moving-street

  • Task force recommendations: https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/Stay%20Healthy%20Street/LWB%20Visioning%20Process%20Final%20Report.pdf