Left turn relief comes to 23rd Ave in Seattle, but at a steep price

I reported last week that major improvements are coming to 23rd Avenue in Seattle, but it turns out the improvements might not be what drivers want.

KIRO Radio listener Adam McGuirk asked why there were no left turn arrows on 23rd to help drivers get to Madison Street. He said 23rd Avenue routinely backs up as people try to turn left.

The improvements to the street will add a dedicated left turn lane on 23rd, but it will come at a steep price.

Seattle is going to remove two lanes of car traffic in order to create the turn. The current design is to change the two north and southbound travel lanes into one lane in each direction, with that dedicated turn lane in the middle. The sidewalks will be extended to make room for trees, shrubs and public art.

It’s not clear how that will help congestion, but the Seattle Department of Transportation said its study shows that travel times will not be impacted by the removal of two lanes of traffic.

SDOT said transit will move smoother, but cars will not be impacted. It’s up to you to decide whether you believe the city’s research.

Seattle plans to make these changes to the corridor from the 520 Bridge to south of I-90. Construction is set to begin next year.