This petition is to stop the installation of traffic diverters at the intersection of 26th Ave SW and SW Genesee St and 26th Ave SW and SW Brandon St. which will restrict residents from taking a left onto SW Genesee, the main, most direct route to grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping on Avalon as well as to the Junction and Alki. The traffic diverter on SW Brandon St will restrict drivers from turning left towards Delridge from 26th Ave SW and will force drivers up the hill to High Point.  The installation of the traffic diverters came to a surprise to several residents in the North Delridge neighborhood, as we were left a flyer on our door 1 day before the installation began. 

As residents, we understand these diverters are intended to aid bicycle traffic. However, these diverters will instead make it nearly impossible for the residents of our neighborhood to get out or back to our homes. Our options to get around these diverters is to flood other side streets, or take dangerous lefts onto Delridge from other nearby intersections. 

We understand this plan was made to help keep bikers safe at these intersections, however there has got to be a better plan than to restrict residents to use our main routes to the services closest to us. We like to suggest a flashing pedestrian crossing signal with a yellow, then red light as alternative option to the traffic diverters.

A resident of this area states, "As a bike commuter I honestly don’t see this making it easier for me to get across Genesee on 26th. People will still be racing down Genesee and trying to kill me." These diverters do not add to the safety of these intersections.  We very much support safe street crossings for walkers and bikers, but are disappointed, discouraged, and angered at these decisions made for our roadways that decrease our mobility in the neighborhood we love so much.  

We, as residents, are signing this petition in hopes that SDOT will please reconsider these diverters and look at other options to make these intersections accessible and safe for all.