As you cruise down S.W. Avalon Way or putter up steep S.W. Genesee St. over the next few weeks, be prepared for a new stop along the way.

Seattle Department of Transportation crews have been busy installing a new traffic light at the intersection of Avalon and Genesee, and expect it to be fully operational by the end of next week (Jan. 11), according to SDOT Communications Director Rick Sheridan.

Sheridan said, "SDOT studied the location due to a constituent’s request for a signal. The location met the national guidelines for a signal installation based on traffic and pedestrian volumes, collision history, and distance to the next adjacent signalized intersection."

Additionally, SDOT will install four new marked crosswalks along with six curb ramps around the intersection to improve pedestrian safety and handicap accessibility.

The steep grade of Genesee coming into Avalon from the east (coupled with the curve of Avalon) can make for tricky sight lines in determining a safe time to enter the intersection. The new light should improve safety.

One more intersection note while we're on the subject: You may notice a change where S.W. Roxbury St. and 35th Ave S.W. meet. Heading southbound on 35th towards Burien and White Center, both lanes of traffic used to be able to go straight at Roxbury, followed by a compact merging as 35th reduces to one lane each direction. The left lane is now left turn only (onto Roxbury), so stay right if you intend to travel straight through.