Seattle sits between the Olympics to the west and the Cascades to the east, and is known for its hilly topography and steep hillsides. These hillsides provide dramatic views, but occasionally pose problems for the infrastructure we’ve built along their sides. One case in point is alongside Lake Washington, north… [ Keep reading ]
In January, SDOT presented to the Northwest Universal Design Council on many of the specific aspects of designing an accessible pedestrian network that is usable for all pedestrians. If you wonder why, it is because Universal Design and accessibility are related. While accessibility generally refers to access for people with… [ Keep reading ]
As we ramp up more transportation projects for 2016, so do our efforts to increase safety, mobility and quality of life for everyone traveling around Seattle. The recent opening of the street car, which now connects Capitol Hill to Pioneer Square, has been a great addition to our transportation network,… [ Keep reading ]
As part of a joint Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Police Department (SPD) effort, SPD has been issuing warnings and citations to motorists traveling in violation of posted restrictions of BAT (Business access and Transit) Lane use and Blocking the Box. What is “Blocking the Box”? Everyone who… [ Keep reading ]
SDOT Safety Ambassadors have been out on the First Hill Streetcar line since last weekend to help community members navigate the Streetcar line which had its soft launch last Saturday. The language-capable ambassadors (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Amharic, Tigrinya, and Spanish) have been ready to provide information about how the streetcars operate and share… [ Keep reading ]
More reliable, more frequent and faster transit service is coming to South Lake Union this March. Service improvements include extending the C-Line (W. Seattle/downtown) to South Lake Union and increasing bus service on Route 8 (Seattle Center/Capitol Hill/Rainier Valley), Route 40 (Ballard/Fremont) and Route 70 (U District). To help keep… [ Keep reading ]
In February of last year, Seattle announced the launch of our Vision Zero program, a partnership between SDOT and the Seattle Police Department to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Vision Zero is a worldwide effort that aims to improve traffic infrastructure and planning to increase safety for all travelers. Since… [ Keep reading ]
SDOT Director Scott Kubly, Mayor Ed Murray, Mercer Middle School Principal Chris Carter joined community members last week near Mercer Middle to celebrate groundbreaking of the first 2016 Safe Routes to Schools project in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. The City of Seattle would like to thank the Beacon Hill community for collaborating on… [ Keep reading ]
Pioneer Square’s national landmark nestled on the corner of 1st Ave and Yesler Way has stood the test of time and a few crashes. Today, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of its unintentional demolition back in 2001. In the early hours of January 15, 2001, a commercial vehicle didn’t clear… [ Keep reading ]
New Year’s resolutions can be obtainable, and can start in measured steps (or pedals). January signals a new year and with it new hopes and expectations for ourselves. If you resolved to bike more, and in particular bike to work, set realistic goals and expectations for yourself: “one way, once a… [ Keep reading ]
