SEATTLE — Community members and safety advocates gathered Tuesday to demand the city do more to protect people along one of Seattle’s most dangerous streets: Rainier Avenue South.
At the intersection of Rainier and South Charles Street, advocates left behind a mirror and a shovel, symbols they say are meant to send a chilling message, that anyone could be the next victim.
Earlier in the day, members of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways carried a white coffin filled with flowers through the intersection, calling it a “memorial for future victims.” The group is pushing for the city to add safety measures they say could prevent deadly crashes.
“A member of our community has been injured or killed in a car crash on Rainier Avenue South every two and a half days on average for the last 10 years," one of the speakers said during the rally.
Kimberly Huntress-Inskeep, with Seattle Greenways, said the issue is urgent.
“We want our leaders to look at this and take seriously the matter that it is, which is of life and death,” she said. “Even when people are not killed on this street, they are seriously injured and serious injuries can change people’s lives profoundly.”
According to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), there have been nine crashes at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Charles Street since 2020. None were fatal, but five resulted in injuries, including one just last month, when a 6-year-old child was hit by a car while crossing the street with his mother.
Margaret McCauley, who lives nearby, said she fears for her children every time they walk to the bus stop.
“Every time someone is hit at this intersection and we see emergency vehicles and it’s like, 'Oh no, next time it could be you,'” she said.
“It’s chaotic,” said another neighbor, Ron Ingram. “You can’t turn your back on this traffic. It’s really fast, narrow sidewalks. I also bike, so if I can help it, I go through Judkins to avoid it.”
The city’s new $1.55 billion transportation levy includes funding to repave parts of Rainier Avenue South and add new sidewalks and crossing improvements. However, the plan doesn't guarantee traffic-calming tools like speed cushions or turn restrictions for this corridor.
“We’re not talking about convenience,” Huntress-Inskeep said. “We’re talking about people potentially dying while trying to cross the street.”
The mayor's office provided KING 5 with this statement saying he "remains committed to our Vision Zero goals of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets and creating a safe, accessible transportation system throughout our city."
Harrell's office said they are working closely with SDOT to "deliver real, community-informed, data-driven safety improvements – like adding No Turn on Red signs, installing Leading Pedestrian Intervals to give people walking a head start, investing in high-collision locations, adding school safety cameras to slow drivers, and building more sidewalks and protected bike lanes," the statement continues.
In addition, SDOT is completing over 80 safety upgrades through its Safe Streets for All project, including multiple pedestrian safety improvements on Rainier Avenue South, Harrell's office said.
"We will continue to work with SDOT, City Council, and the South Seattle community on additional improvements to Rainier Avenue S that enhance the safety for all users," the office added.
SDOT also told KING 5 it is reviewing operations at the Rainier Ave S and S Charles St intersection, with plans to:
- Install “No Turn on Red” and “Stop for Pedestrians” signs
- Manage vegetation to improve visibility
- Evaluate pedestrian signal timing to see if more time for people to cross can be added by extending the “walk” signal length