Island Crest Way is not an extension of a freeway on-ramp. A four-lane configuration, coupled with limited surface street access, creates an illusion that the road only serves cars and trucks, many traveling above the speed limit.

Reality is different. Two youths have been hit trying to cross this perceived freeway on-ramp in recent weeks. Those occurrences and others before them all connect to the same problem. Drivers are not paying attention to reality. Island Crest Way is a street with people and cars having to cross it. They do so at their own peril.

The city, recognizing the danger, commissioned traffic engineers to study the problem and make recommended improvements. Following their work, the most intensive and comprehensive public engagement process ever for Mercer Island took place. Following that process, a plan was approved to lessen the problem by lowering speed and reconfiguring traffic to be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Now, after money and time spent on a data-based solution, a majority of our City Council has caved to pressure by a vocal yet undemocratically representative group more interested in their personal comfort than the safety of others.

The ICW solution would add, at best, 30 seconds a trip to the commute of South end drivers. Apparently, based upon a majority of our City Council, people’s lives are worth less than 30 seconds of someone’s time.

It is not too late to redo a wrong. It is not too late to reverse a poor decision. It is not too late to revalue the safety of our citizens over someone’s individual convenience. I ask the City Council to do that.

In the meantime, please slow down and pay attention while traveling along Island Crest Way. Lives are at stake.

Stephen J. Nielsen