Fremont residents learn how to push for safer streets

Fremont neighborhood residents gathered last Tuesday at the monthly Fremont Neighborhood Council meeting at the Doric Lodge to learn strategies for advocating for street safety improvements.

Seattle Department of Transportation representatives outlined the city’s Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. The city prioritizes safety projects using crash data and speed monitoring. While high-injury arterials like Aurora receive significant attention, SDOT also responds to neighborhood requests for traffic calming on residential streets.

SDOT uses speed monitoring data to identify the most dangerous streets for targeted safety improvements. They’re also developing a Vision Zero dashboard that will track safety progress and show where projects are being implemented throughout the city. 

Ballard-Fremont Greenways organizers stressed that successful advocacy requires more than individual emails to the city. Residents need to build neighborhood support and engage with community groups like the Fremont Neighborhood Council. The group is also part of the Aurora Reimagined Coalition working to transform the dangerous arterial into a safer neighborhood street.

The BFG’s representatives shared three successful Fremont-area campaigns:

• They organized businesses and neighbors around dangerous pedestrian conditions at Stone Way and 36th Street. After gathering petition signatures and support from local businesses, including Brooks Running and Stone Way Cafe, the city committed to installing crossing improvements.
• Kevin Troutt documented dangerous striping conditions on the Burke-Gilman Trail through Fremont, generating letters to officials and coverage from King 5 News. His 15-month campaign continues to push for repairs on the popular commuter route.
• The group’s signature achievement was the 6th Avenue Greenway, connecting West Woodland Elementary School to the Burke-Gilman Trail. The 10-year effort began with neighbors concerned about cut-through traffic and culminated in a safe bikeway serving families traveling between residential areas and Fremont’s business district.

For Fremont residents seeking street improvements, you can find more information at ballardfremont.seattlegreenways.org. 

You can access the SDOT meeting slides here and the BFG’s meeting slides here.

Small infrastructure problems around Fremont can be reported through the city’s Find It Fix It app or by calling 684-ROAD.