The Seattle City Select Budget Committee meeting on March 5, 2025, focused on several key safety and infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation and pedestrian safety throughout the city. The discussions highlighted a proactive approach to addressing high injury corridors and enhancing safe routes to schools.
One of the main topics was the safety redesign projects targeting specific arterial segments within the high injury network. The committee proposed advancing eight corridor projects in 2025, which include construction design and planning efforts on major routes such as Rainier and Renton. These projects aim to improve lane definitions, turn movements, speed regulation, and visibility enhancements at crossings.
Additionally, the committee discussed high collision safety projects, which focus on specific intersections to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Seventeen projects have been identified for 2025, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements in areas with a history of accidents.
The meeting also addressed the implementation of leading pedestrian intervals, which have been increasingly adopted across the city. A hundred locations have been identified for these improvements, which aim to enhance pedestrian safety at crossings.
Traffic calming measures were another significant topic, with ten projects planned for construction in 2025. These measures include striping revisions, speed humps, and visibility changes designed to influence driver behavior and improve overall safety.
A notable highlight was the Safe Routes to School initiative, which aims to enhance safety for students traveling to and from school. The committee reported that 30 projects are set to begin construction in 2025, reflecting a commitment to working collaboratively with schools and local communities to address specific safety needs.
Overall, the meeting underscored the city's dedication to improving transportation safety through targeted projects and community engagement, with a clear focus on reducing injuries and enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users, particularly children. The committee's next steps will involve further discussions and planning to ensure these initiatives are effectively implemented.