Cyclist comments on ICW/Merrimount road diet
April 21, 2009 · 1:24 PM
As a bike commuter along ICW, I have seen accidents at the ICW/Merrimount intersection since the “diet” took place. I agree that the use of S.E. 44th onto ICW is not necessary. That traffic could drive north on 86th Avenue S.E. to the new lights at S.E. 40th. Like an earlier reader stated, traffic off West Mercer Way could continue north and turn onto 78th, thus closing Merrimount to northbound traffic. Need to get to the library? Turn southbound on ICW and left onto 86th — a little out of the way, but then the intersection becomes zero cross traffic. I am also surprised that funds are available for traffic lights at 86th and 40th, where a smooth flow was maintained by four-way stop signs and not where major accidents occur. The current flow on ICW south of Merrimount is over 90 percent one lane — the right lane, northbound, and the left lane, southbound, which is not good use of a four-lane road.
Ray Meisgeier
Comment on this story.
So keep your comments:
- Civil
- Smart
- On-topic
- Free of profanity
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.

