Three recent letters have questioned the Northeast 137th Avenue project. Duane Huntley (“Roundabouts unaffordable option,” Aug. 17) said, “I would certainly like to hear the logic … ” Arthur Hooper (“137th Avenue needs rethinking,” Aug. 11) wondered, “Who in the world designed the Northeast 137th Avenue project?” My friend Paul Gage (“Higher curbing disrupts flow,” Aug. 3) asked, “What were planners thinking?”
This project is on the western edge of the Parkside Neighborhood Association, where I served twice as president. My neighbors and I got the same invitations to attend meetings where the city reviewed concerns, ideas and proposals for improving this increasingly busy roadway. Those who attended heard the logic, know who developed the designs and understand what the planners were thinking.
I support this project. The left-turn barriers are appropriate, and are functionally consistent with nearby sections of Fourth Plain, Mill Plain, Northeast 162nd Avenue and some parts of Northeast 18th Street. Traffic circles improve traffic flow on roads like 137th, and will be even better when motorists take the time to learn how to use them. Consider studying this WSDOT Web page: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/.
One letter ended with this question: “What am I missing?” Some missed the opportunity to engage in citizen review. None of us have entirely missed the opportunity to learn.
