Issue #23013565 — Intersection Traffic Control

{"acknowledged_at":"2026-10-13T22:02:55-04:00","address":"Se 29th St & 72nd Ave Se Mercer Island, WA, 98040, USA","closed_at":null,"comment_url":"https://seeclickfix.com/api/v2/issues/23013565/comments","created_at":"2026-10-13T22:02:49-04:00","description":"Dear Mercer Island Public Works and City Council,\n\nWe are writing as several concerned Mercer Island residents to request an urgent safety review of the intersection of SE 29th Street and 72nd Avenue SE, including consideration of an all-way stop and measures to slow turning vehicles.\n\nSE 29th is an important pedestrian connection between West First Hill and downtown Mercer Island, connecting to the 29th Street pedestrian stairs and trails through the greenbelt. It is regularly used by children, families, and other pedestrians.\n\nThe intersection is especially active during school drop-off and pick-up, when many children pass through in both directions—north–south and east–west. Multiple school buses also stop at or near the intersection.\n\nYet 72nd Avenue SE has the right of way with no stop sign, allowing through traffic to move continuously through this pedestrian route.\n\nWe are particularly concerned about vehicle speeds and turning movements. Vehicles traveling north on 72nd and turning east onto SE 29th frequently cut the corner without slowing adequately. The southbound-to-westbound turn onto SE 29th is especially concerning because it is effectively blind, yet vehicles can make the turn at speed and cut across the corner.\n\nJust two weeks ago, shortly after a school bus picked up children near the intersection, a southbound vehicle struck a dog. There was no police report, so we are not presenting this as an official collision in the City’s records. We mention it because it is a very recent example of the risks occurring at this intersection when children and pedestrians are present.\n\nMost concerning, parents in the neighborhood already tell their children not to ride their bikes or play near this intersection because they consider it unsafe. We believe that is a strong indication that the current traffic conditions are not providing adequate safety or confidence for families.\n\nWe understand that the City has previously reviewed pedestrian-safety improvements at this intersection. We believe the current conditions warrant renewed and broader consideration of traffic control and intersection design.\n\nWe respectfully request that the City:\n\nEvaluate an all-way stop at SE 29th and 72nd under the applicable engineering criteria.\n\nEvaluate vehicle speeds and turning movements, including the blind southbound-to-westbound turn and the northbound-to-eastbound turn where vehicles cut the corner.\n\nConsider physical measures to slow turning vehicles and improve pedestrian safety.\n\nReview conditions specifically during school drop-off and pick-up, including pedestrian and school-bus activity.\nIdentify immediate safety measures that can be implemented while longer-term improvements are evaluated.\n\nProvide us with the City’s findings and a specific timeline for next steps.\n\nIf an all-way stop does not meet engineering criteria, we ask that the City identify an effective alternative to address these safety concerns.\n\nWe urge the City to act proactively rather than wait for a child to be seriously injured at this intersection.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention.\n\nSincerely,\n\nSeveral concerned Mercer Island residents\n\nTiffany Corwin\n7225 SE 29th St\n415-361-6514\n\nSarah Mansourian \n7233 SE 29th St\n425-900-8182\n\nHeather Heindel\n2527 72nd Avenue SE\n404-374-0180","flag_url":"https://seeclickfix.com/api/v2/issues/23013565/flag","html_url":"https://seeclickfix.com/issues/23013565","id":23013565,"lat":47.58435403605097,"lng":-122.24316557943735,"media":{"image_full":null,"image_square_100x100":null,"representative_image_url":"https://seeclickfix.com/assets/categories/signs-6693545b1fdc5149cf533ce1afe0b4809a4bd2826dee86a6afd74d110c8ded70.png","video_url":null},"point":{"coordinates":[-122.24316557943735,47.58435403605097],"type":"Point"},"private_visibility":false,"rating":2,"reopened_at":null,"reporter":{"avatar":{"full":"https://seeclickfix.com/images/no-avatar-100.png","square_100x100":"https://seeclickfix.com/images/no-avatar-100.png"},"civic_points":0,"id":4413400,"name":"Tiffany Corwin","role":"Registered User","witty_title":""},"request_type":{"id":33216,"organization":"City of Mercer Island - NOTE: Emergencies should always be reported to 911 immediately. To reach our after-hours, non-emergency Dispatch Center, call (425) 577-5656","related_issues_url":"https://seeclickfix.com/api/v2/issues?lat=47.58435403605097&lng=-122.24316557943735&request_types=33216&sort=distance","title":"Intersection Traffic Control","url":"https://seeclickfix.com/api/v2/request_types/33216"},"show_blocked_issue_text":false,"status":"Acknowledged","summary":"Intersection Traffic Control","transitions":{},"updated_at":"2026-10-13T22:02:55-04:00","url":"https://seeclickfix.com/api/v2/issues/23013565"}