The in basket: Mick Danielsen asks, “Could you have someone
explain the reasoning behind the new light in the 2800 block of
Bucklin Hill Road?
“I’m sure it’s not cheap to install a traffic light. To me this
light accomplishes nothing but adding to the backups.
The in basket: Mick Danielsen asks, “Could you have someone explain
the reasoning behind the new light in the 2800 block of Bucklin
Hill Road?
“I’m sure it’s not cheap to install a traffic light. To me this
light accomplishes nothing but adding to the backups.
“The light has left turn lanes and arrows. Westbound, the left
turn lane enters Geico Insurance and a small jewelry store.
Eastbound, Blockbuster, and a number of other businesses. The
lights also are activated when entering Bucklin Hill Road from
these businesses.
“Also, they’ve changed the timing on the light at Bucklin Hill and
Tracyton Boulevard. In the afternoon the backup is huge northbound
on Tracyton. I live on Tracyton, right off Bucklin Hill. I’m going
to lobby to get a light at my driveway, complete with a left turn
lane!”
The out basket: Jeff Shea, with the Kitsap County traffic
engineering staff, replies, “(Warrants are statistical indicators
of traffic volume or hazards). We were experiencing over five
accidents per year in this area, with over 30 in a five-year
period. This location has also spent several years in a row in the
top 10 high accident locations.
“Pedestrian traffic has increased and now is probably near, if not
meeting, the warrant for pedestrian volumes. Gaps between vehicles
are very limited for pedestrian traffic. We get many complaints
from businesses on the other side of the road concerning the
difficulty pedestrians have crossing there. The existing signals
are not locations that facilitated pedestrian access.
“And finally, although this isn’t an intersection of two public
streets, traffic volumes through the intersection meets warrants.
This is one of the few locations in the county, if not the only
location, that meet this many warrants and did not have a signal,”
Jeff concluded.
I’m sure Lucille Kronquist would give a hearty “amen” to Jeff’s
answer. She has complained to the Road Warrior several times about
the difficulty for elderly residents of Golden Tides in Old
Silverdale crossing Bucklin Hill Road, and the danger of stepping
off the curb where it crosses Silverdale Way, one of those
“existing signals” Jeff notes aren’t good places for
pedestrians.
Lastly, Doug Bear of county public works said about the backups on
Tracyton Boulevard at Bucklin Hill Road “There was a problem with
the signal. They fixed it June 28 and have monitored the
intersection and it seems to be working.” Mick had written his
complaint on June 25.
I am also glad that we have the new lights on Bucklin Hill Road, particularly for safe pedestrian crossing. I hike from Old Town almost everyday to either the Safeway shopping center or the post office which is located on the north end of Silverdale. It was impossible for a pedestrian to safely cross Bucklin Hill Road. I was almost hit crossing at the pedestrian light at the Intersection of Bucklin Hill Road and Silverdale Way. As you know, there is a free right turn coming from the south on Silverdale Way onto Bucklin Hill Road and the driver speeds up to make the light and does not see the pedestrian crossing the street. It’s also great to be able to safely cross Bucklin Hill Road from the south to access the wonderful Clear Creek Trail. The County’s adopted comprehensive plans encourage ‘Pedestrian Friendly’ uses to encourage more people to walk and this is a good step. Now, if the county would adjust the lights so that pedestrians don’t have to stand and wait, often times in the rain, while the lights go through all the change cycles, more people would choose to walk (and save both gas and the environment!).
Count me in as one who appreciates the new traffic signal on
Bucklin Hill.
Now I don’t have to avoid shopping at the nearby businesses and
dining at the nearby eateries. Turning left onto Bucklin Hill was either
impossible during rush hour or dangerous with people driving in the turning lane, hoping to merge or making hasty turns to beat oncoming traffic. If I needed to shop in the area, I would actually drive around Silverdale,
rather than attempt a left turn onto Bucklin Hill. Kudos to those who made the decision to improve safety in our neighborhood!
Well … it still seems strange to be stopped at a light without a cross-street….waiting for traffic to use it for a turn..(excluding those of us stopped on Bucklin Hill)
…in my opinion,