Art teams up with pedestrian safety in a pilot program of colorful crosswalks to be installed soon at the intersection of California Avenue and Southwest Lander Street.

Based on a compass rose theme, the new crosswalks will feature an intricate design of blue, white and brick red. The pattern will be made of strips of thermoplastic that will be heated to adhere to the new pavement recently laid down on California Avenue.

Crews are scheduled to install four ornamental crosswalks at California Avenue and Lander Street Aug. 27 and 28.

The artistic crosswalks will be the city's first, said Shauna Walgren, coordinator of the Seattle Department of Transportation's neighborhood street fund, which is paying for them. The new crosswalks will be closely monitored for the coming year to see how they stand up to daily traffic.

The idea for the artistic crosswalks began in 2001 when architectural design students from the University of Washington held a design charette (an intensive design effort) in the Admiral District. They explored the neighborhood and its business district before presenting their design ideas to Admiral residents.

Some students suggested making Admiral streets more welcoming for pedestrians. Others recommended using colored pavers to create designs in the pavement of California Avenue at its intersections with Admiral Way, College and Lander streets.

City transportation officials want to hear what the public thinks about the new crosswalks, Walgren said.

Another set of artistic crosswalks soon will be installed in Wallingford, she added.

Tim St. Clair can be contacted at timstc@robinsonnews.com or 932-0300.