We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Alki, Seattle, call on the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to address the pressing issue of traffic dangers on SW Lander and 56th Avenue SW, below SW Admiral Way to Alki Avenue. This distinctive stretch of road is the steepest and fastest route as directed by GPS to Alki Beach – and the only road to the beach that does not have one single traffic calming measure to deter danger.

As a vital access route to Alki Beach, it is a primary gateway for those traveling from I-5 and Highway 99 to reach the beach, using navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze. In addition, the steep downhill terrain from the top of the hill, naturally encourages high speeds as drivers drop down to an unhindered, flat, straight stretch of 56th Ave SW. And this is where we have an opportunity to make a difference.

We are asking for the rapid installation of a few speed bumps as a first response. And we encourage further examination by SDOT given recent traffic flow changes on Beach Drive SW, Alki Avenue, and Harbor Ave SW that deter traffic from the outskirts of Alki, leaving the shortest, fastest route straight into the heart of Alki with no mitigation. Repeated safety hazards left unaddressed by SDOT on 56th Ave SW and SW Lander include:

1. Street Racing: Reckless driving and high speeds are a pervasive problem on this road, jeopardizing the lives of residents. Multiple speeding and racing incidents have resulted in vehicles crashing into private properties and parked cars in damaging hit-and-runs.

2. Pedestrian Safety: The lack of traffic calming measures pose a threat to year-round pedestrian safety, in particular at the bottom of the hill at the uncontrolled intersection of 56th Ave SW and SW Lander St. Children and parents cross to Alki Elementary, Whale Tail Park, and Alki Community Center and thousands of pedestrians walk during high tourism season.

3. Drive-By Shootings: Repeated separate instances of bullets fired into home kitchens serve as reminders of the dangerous behavior residents face in the neighborhood.

We implore SDOT Director Greg Spotts and Seattle City Council Member Rob Saka succeeding Lisa Herbold 1/1/2024, to take action recognizing that this stretch of road is not only the gateway to Seattle’s #1 ranked beach by TripAdvisor, but in this tough economy, Alki Beach remains a top destination when searching “free things to do in Seattle”. The diverse populations who live, work and visit via this gateway, deserve to be safe.