The Seattle Department of Transportation is trying to figure out where new trees should be placed in medians along a stretch of Southwest Admiral Way to address sight-distance issues raised by the community.

The medians were replaced as part of a $4.6 million project that repaved Admiral Way between 41st Avenue Southwest and Southwest Olga Street (by Admiral Viewpoint Park) this past summer. Since then, the city has heard from numerous residents in the area that cherry trees planted in the medians had blocked views of oncoming traffic, making it difficult to pull out into the roadway, said George Frost, public outreach coordinator for the transportation department.

Specifically, motorists entering Admiral off 37th, Belvidere and 39th avenues southwest had difficulties. Frost said there have been several near accidents.

Low growth ground cover and irrigation for the new landscaping and trees will cost about $85,000, said Mike Ward, who's managing the project for the transportation department.

Based on an initial site-distance and traffic analysis for that corridor, stakes for four trees have been spaced out in three of the four 5-foot wide medians. No trees are planned for the median near 37th Avenue Southwest because so far the city doesn't think it's safe.

A draft landscaping plan will be presented to the community at a public meeting next month, said Frost, and some adjustments could still be made based on citizen comments or concerns.

"We want input," said Ward. "We want to make sure we get the input we need."

Shane DeWald, senior landscape architect for the city, said the trees that had been planted in the median before had been there since 1981 and were severely damaged by passing vehicles. They were a type of cherry tree that grew substantially horizontal, blocking views of oncoming traffic and sticking out into the roadway.

They required maintenance too frequently for city crews to keep up, said DeWald.

The city had hoped to save the older trees but damage from vehicles and the paving project had been too severe and very few were salvageable.

"The curb work was so invasive we felt we'd be far better off with newer healthier trees," said DeWald. "We'd certainly want to plant as many trees as we could."

Twelve "Dream Catcher" cherry trees will replace the ones removed. That variety was chosen for its upright branch structure, which provides more space underneath the tree, said DeWald. It also requires less maintenance.

Dream Catcher's grow to about 25 feet in height and will have a spread of 5 feet less than the variety of trees previously there.

Traffic analysts are also recommending the city install reflective elements and signs on and near the median signs to make them more highly visible. The city is considering traffic markings as a safety measure to improve visibility for drivers, especially at night.

"Safety first is what it's all about," said DeWald.

The trees and ground cover won't be planted until February or March. About 26,000 cars a day drive that stretch of Admiral Way east of California Avenue Southwest.

To comment on tree placement, contact George Frost at the Seattle Department of Transportation, 615-0786, George.Frost@seattle.gov.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at rebekahs@robinsonnews. com