Why can’t drivers take a left onto John Street from 23rd Avenue in Seattle?

Adam McGuirk wrote, “East John desperately needs a turn.” It’s because 23rd routinely backs up as cars try to turn. You might ask why he doesn’t drive another block and turn left on Madison. Left turns aren’t permitted at Madison.

He also doesn’t think it’s fair that the city added a red light camera to catch people taking a left after the light has turned. McGuirk believes the intersection is dangerous and needs a fix.

I asked the City of Seattle about this particular intersection, Rick Sheridan in the Department of Transportation responded.

Sheridan wrote, “The red light camera was installed because of collisions involving southbound drivers running the red light while going straight on 23rd. We have not installed a left turn light for southbound traffic because it did not meet left turn volumes required in our past review. However, we can review the location for such a modification in the future.”

Sheridan also said that a major construction project is set to begin on 23rd Avenue next year. It will make improvements between John and Jackson Streets. The road will be rebuilt with better sidewalks and left turn lanes along most of the corridor.