As an additional safety measure, SDOT will be adding stop signs at the intersection of NE 65th Street and the Burke-Gilman Trail in the Sand Point neighborhood sometime within the next several weeks. The stop signs will increase awareness of crossing traffic. Stop signs are already in place for bicyclists on the trail.

A two-way cycle track is being constructed on NE 65th Street between the trail and Sand Point Way NE. A stop sign for eastbound bicyclists on the cycle track will also be installed at the intersection.

Like at any other stop sign, east and westbound drivers on NE 65th Street will stop at the new marked stop line and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian or bicyclists to cross the roadway within the marked crosswalk. Bicyclists on the trail will continue to stop before entering the sidewalk on NE 65th Street. 

Traffic engineers consider the unique situation of each location to determine what will best improve safety of all roadway users. After examining the relatively low traffic volumes on NE 65th Street, the amount of trail use, current walking, biking, and driving behavior, and the existing sightlines,  the engineers determined that the stop signs would be effective for increasing awareness.

Even with the improvements, everyone using the roadways still needs to be attentive to their surroundings  and should observe all oncoming traffic carefully.  SDOT will continue to assess the traffic control at this location over the next year and if we find the intersection is not performing as anticipated, we will revisit the project. Safety is SDOT’s number one priority and we are committed to improving safety for everyone that uses our transportation system.