District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka shared his views regarding the Delridge Safety Project that he sponsored.

I want to address some of the confusion surrounding the Delridge Safety Project, which I sponsored in the recently approved budget. Since its introduction in the Chair’s Balancing Package on October 30th, the project has sparked both strong community support and organized opposition. I recognize and value the passionate, divergent opinions and appreciate all the input received. 

Background and Purpose 

This project stems from safety concerns raised by constituents, including families and workers at a small business and childcare facility, many from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. These residents have long expressed challenges crossing the busy Delridge corridor. Unfortunately, their feedback was not incorporated into the road design implemented during the 2020-21 construction phase due to insufficient outreach in this specific area. 

Our city’s Transportation Equity Workgroup (TEW), a panel of distinguished community experts, has developed strategies to guide equitable transportation actions for our city. However, many impacted residents believe the TEW’s equity framework was not properly applied to this project originally. Among the growing chorus of support for the Delridge safety project is a former TEW member who has also voiced strong support for revisiting this specific design. This safety initiative seeks to address these inequities and improve safety for all road users. 

Project Scope 

The allocated budget funds the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to revisit the road design and implement safety improvements with robust stakeholder input. These changes aim to ensure safe left and right turns, while protecting bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. The goal is a truly balanced, compromised solution addressing the area’s challenges, promoting safety for everyone, regardless of travel mode. 

Addressing Opposition 

Reasonable minds disagree on any number of issues. Again, I respect the varied opinions that have been expressed on this and other road safety initiatives.  

Unfortunately, however, I became aware that certain members of the organized opposition to this project is driven by fringe ideological framing and a purist “proxy war” of sorts that seeks to pit cars against cyclists, transit riders, or pedestrians. I wholeheartedly reject this divisive narrative. The Delridge Safety Project prioritizes inclusive safety improvements for ALL road users, not one mode of transportation choice over another. Amid national and local attempts to sow seeds of discord and division among interests and communities, I remain firmly committed to collaborating across differences to help unite and strengthen our communities – not divide us. We are better together! 

Moving Forward, Together 

While broader issues with the Delridge arterial road rehabilitation project have been noted—highlighted by this Seattle Bike Blog article—unfortunately, addressing the entire 3-mile stretch is neither feasible nor cost-effective at this time. However, this budget item focuses on remedying one of the most critical deficiencies in the impacted area. 

For additional context, South Seattle Emerald offers historical reporting on this issue, including my earlier involvement as a Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney for the affected preschool. I remain committed to ensuring that this project delivers meaningful safety enhancements and equitable outcomes for our community. You may also hear my remarks and related discussion by other Councilmembers on this topic at the November 14th Select Budget Committee meeting below.