Denny and Terry is Seattle’s ‘Worst Intersection’

There are many bad intersections in Seattle, but one reigns supreme.

The intersection at Denny Way and Terry Avenue was selected as 2015’s “Worst Intersection in Seattle” by walkinginseattle.org.

“In the end, among many bad options, there can be only one worst,” blogger Troy Heerwagen wrote. “As the vote count climbed, Denny and Terry pulled away.”

Through his blog, Heerwagen is urging the city to pay attention to roadways that are not only frustrating for pedestrians, but people using other modes of transportation.

This is the third time Heerwagen published a poll for the “worst intersection.” This year was the most contested race, he wrote.

Initially, the intersection at Montlake and 520 had an early lead. However, Denny and Terry’s “high-conflict” situation helped it pull ahead. With South Lake Union growing, there are many more people walking in the area, Heerwagen points out.

“Denny is often completely gridlocked, making it hard for pedestrians and drivers alike to enter from Terry,” he wrote. “At other times, eastbound traffic flies quickly downhill, giving pedestrians and drivers mere moments to cross Denny.”

Terry at Denny is one of few sections of the road where turning left isn’t prohibited, Heerwagen wrote. That threatens pedestrians walking along Denny.

“And while people can legally walk across Denny along Terry, it never feels completely safe to do so,” he added.

The winner of the “worst intersection” is about a quarter-mile from 2014’s winner; 5th and Denny took home the gold last year.

“Denny is a critical transportation link that too many people rely on,” Heerwagen wrote. “It’s one of the worst roads in the city for drivers, riders of bus number 8, and as this poll shows us again, pedestrians.”

Related: Getting aggressive about Seattle’s passive-aggressive bus signs