Get your hands dirty (cuz it’s Earth Day)!

April 22, 2019 by Casey Rogers

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok from Pexels

Happy Earth Day, fellow humans!

Planting a tree sapling for earth day

Part of what makes Seattle the Emerald City is our trees and foliage. Imagine what Seattle would look and feel like without the green space and tree canopy. Here at SDOT, we play a big role in contributing to the urban landscape in the way we design and operate city streets, sidewalks, and other bits of right of way to include greenery and open space.

Queue our Urban Forestry team. They plant and care for trees (40,000 and counting!), manage landscaping in the right of way, and provide guidance to make sure folks who plan for new developments are planting the right tree in the right place.

All this talk about trees making you want to get out and plant or hug one? Well, we are fully supportive. Here are a few ways you can help improve Seattle’s natural environment.

🌎 WATER A TREE

Give some love (well, water) to one of our many street trees, particularly during the hot summer months. Follow these tips:

An easy way to water a young tree is to fill a tree bag two or three times a week with 15-20 gallons of water.
Old trees need additional water to keep thriving. If it’s hot, one or two deep waterings during the hot spell will help a lot.
Remove the stakes and chain after the first year. Leaving those on too long and too tight can strangle the tree and kill it.
Mulch it! Not only will this look good, it will also help keep roots cool and moist longer.

Check out our Street Tree Manual for more information!

🌎 TURN YOUR TRAFFIC CIRCLE INTO A GARDEN

This is a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and help beautify your community at the same time. Be sure to read our website for guidance before you start any work.

Photo of a traffic circle that has been planted with flower.

Landscaped traffic circle

🌎PLANT A TREE

Our Trees for Neighborhoods program helps you plant trees in your neighborhoods.

🌎 PLANT A GARDEN IN YOUR PLANTING STRIP (the space between the sidewalk and the curb)

Check out our planting in the right of way program for more information and guidance on how to start a garden in a planting strip

Photo of a vegetable garden in a planting strip.

Planting strip vegetable garden

Check out these other Earth Day resources and events around the City:

Take a hike without driving a car using Trailhead Direct transit service.
Stranger’s Earth Day Event Calendar and celebrate the holiday (yeah, there’s a whole calendar dedicated to this, because, Seattle)
Earth Day Network
Visit a Washington State Park for free on Earth Day

Thanks for doing your part to keep our Emerald City in the Evergreen State so green.

#EarthDay

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APRIL 19 – 20: Traffic Changes at 7th Ave N and Denny Way

April 19, 2019 by Molly Wright

The three cars at left are taking a lane that will become part of the work zone needed to demolish part of the Battery Street Tunnel’s entrance and raise up the old lanes in the middle (view looking north). Photo: WSDOT

Crews are expanding their work zone at the north end of the Battery St Tunnel.

Get ready: changes are coming to the intersection of Denny Way and 7^th Ave N (previously Aurora Ave N) as crews begin work to fill the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel.

The ground beneath the closed SR 99 lanes coming in and out of the Battery Street Tunnel is being raised up (view looking south). Photo: WSDOT

Starting April 19, here’s what you can expect.

S C H E D U L E

Beginning Friday night, 4/19 at 8 PM, lanes will be reduced and sidewalks will be closed around the intersection of 7th Ave N and Denny Way until 5 AM Saturday morning. Police officers will direct traffic while crews modify traffic signals and establish the new work zone with barrels.

Then, beginning on Saturday morning, 4/20, 7th Ave N southbound will be reduced to one lane between John Street and Denny Way, and there will be no left turns from 7th. This will be a long-term lane configuration while construction continues in this area.

Crews will return Tuesday night, 4/23, to replace construction barrels with roadway barrier. Southbound 7th Ave N will be closed overnight between John St and Denny Way for this work.

L A N E R E S T R I C T I O N S

One travel lane will remain open in each direction. Drivers heading south on 7^th Ave N approaching Denny Way will no longer be able to turn left onto Denny Way or 7^th Ave. People driving will have to continue straight on Wall St or turn right on Denny Way. Drivers taking the southbound SR 99 off-ramp to downtown will still be able to take a left on Harrison Street.

T R A N S I T

The southbound bus stop on Seventh Avenue North just north of Denny Way will remain open.

P R O J E C T O U T C O M E

Crews are expanding their work zone as they begin work to fill in the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel. This is part of the North Surface Streets project to reconnect Harrison St, Thomas St, and John St, which were previously cut off by SR 99’s old path.

For updates on road closures in this area, subscribe to WSDOT’s weekly construction email.

Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21: Road work at NE 80 St & Banner Way NE

April 19, 2019 by Casey Rogers

The intersection of NE 80 St & Banner Way NE is heavily used by vehicles to access the I-5 northbound on-ramp. Our goal is to improve access for commercial vehicles accessing I-5.

This weekend, we will begin the project by relocating a traffic signal pole and removing a portion of the asphalt island in order to determine if there are concrete panels underneath the asphalt. Once this work is complete, we will schedule the remaining work for this project.

DETOUR ROUTE for Sunday, April 21 only: eastbound traffic on NE 80th Street will not be able to turn left on to Banner Way NE. Traffic will be re-routed south on Banner Way NE and north on 5th Ave E in order to enter Banner Way NE from a westbound approach.

Here’s what you can expect:

S C H E D U L E

Saturday, April 20 | From 9 AM to 4 PM, the northbound left lane will be closed to relocate an existing traffic signal pole.

Sunday, April 21 | From 7 AM to 5 PM, the northbound turn lane will be closed from NE 80th St to Banner Way NE.

C L O S U R E | D E T O U R

There will be no closure or detour on Saturday, though drivers can expect slowdowns because of the reduced lane.

On Sunday, drivers turning northbound from NE 80th St to Banner Way NE will be rerouted in order to turn northbound to Banner Way NE heading westbound on NE 80th St.

N O I S E

Expect some loud noise, dust, and vibrations while crews are working.

P R O J E C T O U T C O M E

We are re-configuring the asphalt island at the NE 80 St & Banner Way NE intersection to improve access for freight vehicles turning northbound to Banner Way NE.

Do you have questions? Contact our Customer Care Center:

206-684-ROAD or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov

Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21: Maintenance work on Mercer St

April 19, 2019 by Casey Rogers

Our crews will be performing landscape and road maintenance on Mercer Street this Saturday and Sunday.

Here’s what to expect

Saturday, 7 AM – 3:30 PM: Inside eastbound lane adjacent to the median will be closed between Westlake Ave N and Boren Ave N
Sunday, 8 AM – 8 PM: westbound Mercer from 9th to Dexter will reduced to one lane.

If you have questions contact our customer care center:

206-684-ROAD or 684-road@seattle.gov

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Trailhead Direct’s transit to trails is back!

April 18, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

Ok, hikers and outdoor lovers. The #GreatPNW struggle is real.

You decide it’s a great day for a hike, so you head out into the wild & find upon your arrival that the rest of Seattle has had the same – exact – idea.

Never mind that all the great minds thought like you. How ’bout that parking? Don’t let the day get ruined by the lack of available parking. You won’t need a car. We’re bringing back Trailhead Direct!

Trailhead Direct is a seasonal transit service to popular hiking destinations in King County.

Trailhead Direct is a pilot project in collaboration with our Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD), King County Metro, and King County Parks and REI. Not only does this program provide transit service on weekends and most holidays to popular hiking trails in the area, but it also eases vehicle congestion and reduces safety hazards.

There’re 4 great changes happening this Saturday, April 20.

The weather. We’ll get a cloud break. THERE. WILL. BE. SUN. Well, at least that’s what the weather forecasters predict.
The start of Trailhead Direct!! The 2019 season begins on April 20.
The launch of a new Trailhead Direct route to the Sky Country Trailhead at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Check out the details here.
The Trailhead Direct for Mailbox Peak returns with a new service location + stop.

So go ahead and pick your destination. Select your location for all the dirt 😉 from trailhead maps, transit pickup and drop off locations, and maps.

We’re proud to work as a funding partner with King County Metro to provide more mobility options to attractions in the Seattle region.

Funding Trailhead Direct builds on the City of Seattle’s investments in the Seattle transit network where we’ve been able to improve frequency/reliability on 64 other routes.

This program is an opportunity to provide better access for more people to the outdoors. While trail destinations vary in accessibility, Trailhead Direct transit are wheelchair accessible, so all are welcome!

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct makes it easier for all our residents and visitors to access our incredible outdoors using transit. …We are excited about this innovative public-private partnership that is creating new opportunities for all who call Seattle home to get outside and explore our mountains.” – Mayor Jenny Durkan

Thanks to Seattle voters, we’re able to directly purchase transit service for Seattle, providing mobility options to explore the Seattle area.

For more information about Trailhead Direct, please visit the website.

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Visualize your company’s commute habits using our Commute Trip Reduction Tableau Tool.

April 18, 2019 by Molly Wright

Photo by Lex Photography from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/magic-keyboard-1109543/

Sharing survey data in a new, modern way to let you visualize your commute.

We’ve partnered with Commute Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and Tableau to launch an interactive Tableau dashboard tool to view employee commute habits for businesses across Seattle.

The tool allows you to view an overall breakdown of different modes of transportation, a heat map of employee’s zip codes, and travel patterns from each zip code. It is an easy way to find out where employees are commuting from.

In addition, you can see how your business stacks up against other organizations in your network. Now, you can learn how your company’s transportation program compares to similar employers!

Big companies, big solutions.

This tool is available to companies who are affected by the state of Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction law, which requires companies with 100 or more employees to mitigate the traffic impacts of their business by working to reduce driving. Nearly 300 Seattle employers are affected by the Washington Commute Trip Reduction law.

Changing your company and commute for the better.

CTR-affected companies are required to complete a survey every two years to determine the percentage of employees driving or taking other modes of transportation such as transit or light rail. Previously, all results were delivered only through paper copies with limited charts or graphics.

This new dashboard provides employers with data they can visualize and use when strategically planning to invest in new commute programs.

There are lots of benefits to using a visual dashboard for viewing employee commute data.

Quickly and easily understand and interpret survey data.
Identify opportunities for employee carpools, vanpools, and employee shuttles.
Provide employers with historical data they can visualize and use when strategically planning to invest in new commute programs.
Reduce the number of drive-alone trips in and out of downtown.

“By partnering with Tableau, organizations can now offer even more data to inform critical commute decisions in and out of downtown during the Seattle Squeeze, Seattle’s period of transition over the next five years to meet the needs of our growing city, and beyond.”

Heather Marx, Director of Downtown Mobility, SDOT

Want more information?

For over 10 years, Commute Seattle has helped Seattle businesses of all sizes unlock their potential and empower employees to utilize convenient, affordable, and sustainable transportation options. If you have questions about Commute Trip Reduction, such as how to meet your requirements or how to start and maintain an employer commute program, contact Commute Seattle for more information!

Did somebody say munchies? Plan before you party this 4/20.

April 17, 2019 by SDOT Blog

One chef poses with her apron, highlighting the competition and partnership

Challenge accepted! Chef’s get suited up for the competition | photo by Sammy Spence

If you had to use Doritos, Reeses, & popcorn to create the best munchie, what would you make?

Yesterday, we buddied up with Lyft, local media personalities, cannabis retailers, and safe streets partners for a cooking showdown to answer that question, but more importantly, raise awareness around impaired driving and get the word out about safe ride options this 4/20.

But first! A discount for you.

Before diving into the details of our quirky event, let’s cut to the first part of the chase: as part of our ongoing Vision Zero safe ride partnership, new and existing Lyft riders across the region can get $4.20 off a ride on April 20, using code 420SEA19.

Taking transit, befriending a designated driver, cabbing it, sleeping it off – these are all also solid options. Bottom line, don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been partoking (⬅️ see what we did there) in 4/20 festivities.

We threw it down for a really, really great cause.

Our own Sam Zimbabwe joined Lyft’s Todd Kelsay and Seattle Police Department’s Lt. Phil Hay for some opening remarks, reminding us all of the critical issues at hand, and of the opportunity we have to work collectively toward safer streets for all.

This was our second annual Baked! Munchies Challenge, a quirky spin-off of Chopped, but without Ted Allen (we did, however, get a pop-by from Tom Douglas!), bizarre secret ingredients, or an ice cream machine. And for anyone wondering, there wasn’t any cannabis consumption. We work for the government. C’mon now.

FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

An array of images showcasing the different dishes teams developed.

Some pretty gourmet looking plates emerged from the teams | photos by Sammy Spence

Despite the absence of special brownies, a lot of fun was had by all. It’s not often that we get to bring lightheartedness to the issue of traffic safety, particularly the topic of impairment. And there’s a good reason – it’s a serious issue.

For the past several years, we’ve seen impairment contribute to close to 20% of fatal crashes in Seattle.

Preliminary 2018 data indicate that 50% of fatal crashes on Seattle’s streets involved impairment. The trend at the state level is similar. Driver impairment due to alcohol and/or drugs is the number one contributing factor in Washington fatal crashes, involved in nearly half of all traffic deaths. Poly-drug drivers (combo of alcohol + drugs) is now the most common type of impairment among drivers in fatal crashes. The most cited combo? Alcohol and THC.

So, how can we help reverse this trend?

For starters, we can talk about it and educate folks, not just around the rules, but also the impacts of driving impaired, and the options available.

It may be legal to get high, but it’s not legal to drive under the influence. Of anything.

While some people may think cannabis can sharpen their driving skills and cause them to drive slower, quite the opposite is true. According to the CDC, marijuana can slow your reaction time and ability to make decisions, impair coordination, and distort perception – all key functions of driving. Check out this video from our friends at the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, featuring Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of Hempfest. Vivian and his wife, Kanti Selig both participated as Baked! chefs (and are our new BFFs).

Don’t believe these guys? Well, a few of us tested out some cannabis goggles, and our partners with the Seattle Police Department helped confirm our suspicions: driving under the influence of anything is not a good choice.

Media members testing out cannabis goggles to simulate impairment

SPD walks Michael King and Jim Dever of KING 5 Evening through a mock sobriety test as they experience what it’s like to be under the influence (you know, in case they’ve never experienced that before) | photo by Sammy Spence

Teamwork makes the dream work.

And that’s what this event was about – teaming up with a variety of people and organizations, toward a shared vision of safer streets. We had local cannabis retail shop owners and advocates, an array of local media, MADD Washington, SPD, Public Health Seattle & King County, and of course, folks from SDOT and Lyft all working together. The hope is that we can continue to join forces to reach key audiences with information and resources so they can make informed, safer choices. Look at all these lovely people who came together for this important cause!

Photos by Sammy Spence

So, who made the best dish?

These guys did – right here! A team comprised of SPD’s Patrick Michaud, KOMO’s Elisa Jaffe, Lyft driver and catering company owner Nikki Easterbrooks, and former chef Kanti Selig turned out the winning plate – a combo of savory tacos and a sweet side of chocolate and caramel covered matzo. They’re pictured below with judges Michelle Davis (MADD WA Chair), Guy Devillier (Lyft driver turned restaurant owner), Erin Combs (Lyft), and Emcee Ross Fletcher.

The winning team! | photo by Sammy Spence

The judges agreed, it had the highest degree of munchability.

UPDATE: Guy’s restaurant, That’s Amore, will be serving up a rendition of the competition’s honorable mention Dorito-topped mac and cheese this weekend (jalapeño for adults, nacho cheese for kids) made by Q13’s Ellen Tailor and team. AND, all proceeds from the sale of those dishes will go to MADD WA. We’re loving the partnerships formed within this event already!

All (very admittedly) corny pot puns aside, please do plan ahead if you plan to party on 4/20. Learn more about our Vision Zero efforts and our ongoing partnership with Lyft at www.seattle.gov/visionzero.

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See what’s moving in Seattle this week: April 16 – 21, 2019

April 16, 2019 by Casey Rogers

Here’s a look at Seattle’s upcoming large-scale events and construction happening around the City this week, April 16-21, 2019. These events may impact how you get around town, so be sure to see our trip planning tools at the end of this post and plan ahead! Also, don’t forget to look at our Citywide Events Calendar for more things to do. Have fun!

T U E S. A P R 16

WNG Live! Matinee for Students at Benaroya Hall: Event hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 1k.

Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians at T-Mobile Park: First Pitch at 7:10 PM. Estimated attendance: 15k.

W E D . A P R 17

Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians at T-Mobile Park: First Pitch at 3:40 PM. Estimated attendance: 15k

T H U R S. A P R 1 8

Why Don’t We concert at WaMu Theater: 7 – 11 PM, doors at 6 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at McCaw Hall: 7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

F R I. A P R 1 9

Lil Pump & Lil Skies concert at WaMu Theater: 7 – 11 PM, doors at 6 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at McCaw Hall: 7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

S A T. A P R 2 0

The Tenacious Ten: 10K and 10-mile races at Gas Works Park (routes will use streets and trails clockwise around Lake Union and along the South Ship Canal Trail): 8 – 11 AM. Estimated attendance: 2.5k.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at McCaw Hall: Saturday performances at 2 and 7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k per performance.

Nicky Jam concert at WaMu Theater: 8 – 11:30 PM, doors at 7 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

S U N. A P R 2 1

Seattle Magazine’s Brunch Run (5k course through Magnuson Park along Lake Washington): 9:30 AM – 12 PM. Estimated attendance: 1.5k.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at McCaw Hall: 1 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

Trip planning tools:

For an expanded list of upcoming constructions and events, visit our website!

Traveler’s Map

Our map has real-time traffic and travel times, including construction, events, and incidents.

Project & Construction Coordination Map

See up-to-date information on current and future construction projects in the right of way, as well as other events that may impact traffic.

WSDOT mobile app

The WSDOT mobile app has Seattle traffic and travel information for the state of WA.

For other trip planning and transit, bike and car share, carpooling, parking, and ride-hailing tools, visit our Seattle Traffic website!

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Take Via to Transit – Your New Car-Free Commute in Southeast Seattle!

April 16, 2019 by Molly Wright

Via to Transit is a convenient shuttle service to & from light rail stations in SE Seattle & Tukwila.

We’ve partnered with King County Metro & Sound Transit to bring you Via to Transit, a convenient shuttle service to and from light rail stations in southeast Seattle and Tukwila.

Via to Transit lets you request on-demand shuttle vans to and from five Sound Transit Link stations: Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello, Rainier Beach, and Tukwila International Boulevard. The service costs and works the same as transferring to or from a Metro bus with an ORCA card.

Download the Via app or call 206.258.7739 to request a ride.

You can use the service to get between most parts of southeast Seattle (and some parts of Tukwila) and these five Sound Transit Link light rail stations:

Southeast Seattle vans run Monday through Saturday from 5 AM to 1 AM and Sunday from 6 AM to midnight.

Tukwila service runs Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 AM and from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.

Via to Transit costs the same as a Metro bus ride, & you can transfer between Via shuttles, Metro buses, & Link light rail.

You must pay with an ORCA card or the Transit Go app (sorry, no cash or paper transfers).

Don’t have an ORCA Card? It’s easy to get one – you can order yours online, by mail, or in person. Visit the ORCA Card website for more info! See if you qualify for free or reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, students, or people in need.

It works in four easy steps.

Request a ride on demand using the Via app or call 206-258-7739. Customers do not need to have a smartphone.
Select your pickup and drop-off locations in the defined southeast Seattle and Tukwila service areas and confirm your ride. One end of your trip must be the designated Link light rail station for the service area.
Expect to be picked up within 10 to 15 minutes of your trip request. Your pick-up location may require a short walk. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available.
You will likely share a ride with other Metro customers in vehicles that can carry up to six passengers traveling in the same direction.

The year-long pilot project is mostly funded by $2.7 million from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Benefit District. Sound Transit and King County Metro are also contributing funds toward the project. Sound Transit also successfully applied for a Mobility on Demand Sandbox grant from the Federal Transit Administration to test the effectiveness of providing on-demand ride-share connections to transit stations.

As we continue navigating the #SeattleSqueeze, getting you to transit quickly & easily is another solution.

As we continue navigating the Seattle Squeeze, our new era of tough traffic over the next five years, we want to make sure that we have the newest, most innovative solutions to help people throughout Seattle get to transit. On-demand services like Via to Transit will make it easier for you to take transit, especially if you do not own a car, you prefer not to drive, you live within a long walking distance of a transit hub, or you can’t find open parking spaces near the stations.

Home, work, or school is just a short, on-demand ride away from your Link light rail station with Via to Transit!

Try an on-demand shuttle in West Seattle or Bellevue, too!

Don’t forget: the Ride2 on-demand shuttle service is still available in West Seattle and Eastgate! If you commute or travel to West Seattle or the Eastside, use Ride2 as your on-demand shuttle service to and from the West Seattle Water Taxi dock and the Alaska Junction bus stop or the Eastgate Park & Ride.

Read more about the Via to Transit announcement on King County Metro’s website.

You gave us 300+ projects ideas. It’s NOW time to VOTE!

April 15, 2019 by Casey Rogers

Your vote helps decide which projects we build.

We received over 300 project ideas in our Neighborhood Street Fund application phase, followed by community prioritization to see which projects your neighbors need most. Now, we’re calling on you to vote for the Neighborhood Street Fund projects your community needs most now through May 5, 2019. Your vote will determine which projects in your district move forward for final selection by the Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee.

There are 3 ways to vote.

Take the survey!
Vote at your nearest Seattle Public Library branch.
Visit a pop-up event near you to cast your vote! Schedule below.

Voting is open to anyone age 11 and up who lives, works, goes to school, worships, receives services, volunteers, or is part of a program in the City of Seattle. Each voter may cast one ballot per City Council district and may choose up to five (5) projects per district. If you mark more than 5 projects, your vote will not be counted. Online and Library Ballots available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Somali, for additional translations please contact us at NSF@seattle.gov or 206.733.9361.

Learn about each project here! And remind your friends, family, and neighbors to vote!

We’re hosting 3 pop-up events to help make voting even easier.

M O N . A P R 2 2

3 – 6 PM | Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, 13201 Aurora Ave N

–

T U E S . A P R 2 3

3 – 6 PM | Safeway, 9262 Rainier Ave S

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W E D . A P R 2 4

3- 6 PM | Safeway, 9620 28th Ave SW

This painted bulb is a great example of a Neighborhood Street Fund project, as voted on by YOU!

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