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Have a question about our current work at the Seattle Department of Transportation? We’re ready to get you an answer! Post your question in the comments section here and we’ll post a response in real time (or close to it) during our normal business hours. Just remember to be courteous and keep the language clean. We’ll review questions before they post to be sure they meet our blog use policy, but won’t edit them.
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Where does the data for employment density come from for this report?
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/Map312000_Pop_Emp_Dens_w_Ridership.pdf
Data for this report is likely the result of research done by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). You can visit their website for more information about the data they collect.
With the construction of the Spokane Street Viaduct going on full-swing, and S Spokane Street totally blocked off from cross-traffic on the surface, what is the point of keeping the stop lights active, especially at night? It’s very tempting to just run the light, but I don’t want to get caught and get a ticket.
A second question: At night, I sometimes head north on I-5 off of the Harvard Av E ramp. There have been a few times where I nearly hit the curb on the south side of the ramp. I noticed it is not painted to make it easier to see in the dark. Have there been any plans to do such a safety project?
You may see a red light with no apparent reason for it because at present the north/south light on 4th Avenue is set to go red for short time periods to allow pedestrians a safe option to cross. Once crews are able to complete crosswalk improvements the new pushbutton system will then be in service and the north/south light on 4th Ave will remain green unless a pedestrian pushes the button. We expect to have the crosswalk improvements done by the end of this week.
Someone left a wrecked vehicle in front of my house.
How can I have it removed?
Thanks for visiting the SDOT Blog John. You can report abandoned vehicles online here. If someone parks a car that blocks your driveway or a disabled parking space, you can contact the SPD on their non-emergency line to report the incident and someone will respond. The number is 206-625-5011 and once connected you should press the number 2 and then the number 8 to make your report.
Can you direct me to where I would find information on rules for businesses putting signboards on sidewalks or parking strips?
Thanks.
Hi Lois. For information on guidelines for using the public right-of-way, including planting strips, you can reference our Street Use Permits webpage. Here you can find information on the various types of permits available depending on the activity you are interested in. In the case of someone wanting to place signs and boards on the planting strip, it would be considered an “encroachment in the right-of-way” so they should apply for an “annual permit”.
If you have any other questions, you can contact SDOT’s Street Use Permit Counter at 206-684-5283.
I’ve noticed a survey about electric trolley buses. Is King County still seriously considering removing trolley buses? Their study was severely flawed, and I believe they would be cheaper than (loud, slow, noisy, unhealthy, smelly) diesels or hybrids when an apples-to-apples comparison is performed. Not to mention the historical tragedy of tearing out our streetcars with the promise of trolley buses being so much better, and leaving us with diesels.
Now if they were considering replacing the electric buses with streetcars, that would be a different story…
Thanks for your question. Someone will be contacting you soon.