Dunn proposes study of roundabouts, other safety fixes on 140th Ave SE in Fairwood in wake of fatal crash

May 9, 2024

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced legislation to study options for improving road safety in the Fairwood community, where a deadly car crash recently put a spotlight on problem areas on one of the area’s main thoroughfares.

“The recent horrifying car crash in Fairwood tragically highlighted the need to find ways to make our neighborhood roads safer,” Dunn said. “This legislation will take a comprehensive look at ideas from the community for improving road safety—such as roundabouts, cameras, and increased traffic enforcement—so that together we can act to protect our community from dangerous driving.”

Dunn’s legislation requests a study of a range of road safety improvement options in the Fairwood community. Specifically, it calls for the study of roundabouts at high-risk intersections on 140^th Ave SE; the use of traffic enforcement cameras at major intersections near Carriage Crest Elementary School and at other high-risk locations; emphasis patrols by law enforcement officers in the Fairwood community; and other infrastructure improvements including but not limited to road diets, physical barriers in unused center two-way left-turn lanes, and leading pedestrian intervals.

The proposal follows a Fairwood community meeting last month where local residents voiced concerns over reckless driving and speeding on 140th Ave SE. Dunn attended the meeting and was joined, at his request, by King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and the Director of the Road Services Division of the Department of Local Services, Tricia Davis.

If approved, the report would be due to the Council by August 30, 2024. Dunn’s legislation will be referred to the Local Services and Land Use Committee.