Maybe you’ve heard of a little situation called the “Mercer East Project”? In addition to the overall tough traffic flow, drivers are having a hard time heading east and west due to the northbound/southbound traffic “blocking the box” (stopping in the middle of the intersection after the traffic light has changed) at Mercer and Dexter.
To address the problem of drivers blocking the intersection and preventing traffic from moving, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on Sunday striped the Mercer Street and Dexter Avenue North intersection, and hung more noticeable overhead warning signs. The Mercer East project is additionally deploying uniformed police officers at the intersection on Monday, September 17, from 7:00-11:00 a.m. and from 3:00-7:00 p.m. to reinforce the law’s requirements with noncompliant drivers.With Mercer East project construction continuing through summer 2013 and major roads like Fairview Ave N currently closed, the street modifications will help prevent drivers from “blocking the box” and aid traffic in moving along the corridor. SDOT continues to monitor and adjust the signal timing through the corridor to best support all traffic flow.
Make sure to pay attention to the lights, leave enough room to get through the intersection and bring your patience if you head that direction!
TICKET THE GRID-LOCKERS! YAY!