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A Vibrant Seattle Through Transportation Excellence.

Trailhead Direct’s transit to trails is back!

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Photo of woman hiker.

 

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.

 

  1. The weather. We’ll get a cloud break. THERE. WILL. BE. SUN. Well, at least that’s what the weather forecasters predict.
  2. The start of Trailhead Direct!! The 2019 season begins on April 20.
  3. The launch of a new Trailhead Direct route to the Sky Country Trailhead at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Check out the details here.
  4. 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

 

Photo of an ok sign made with a person's hand circling the sun at a distance.

 

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

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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!

 

Gallery of event photos

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 judges pose with the winning team.

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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Hey! I’m walkin’ (to work) here! Walk to Work Day is April 5.

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walking downtown

Just in time for spring showers…it’s Walk to Work Day tomorrow, April 5! So, get your rain jackets, umbrellas (yes, they are acceptable), walking shoes, and mobility devices ready. #WalktoWorkDay

As we continue through the #SeattleSqueeze, walking continues to be a great option to get to and through downtown, and Walk to Work day is the perfect day to get started.

Walking keeps you healthy, happy, and helps the environment. Wins all around!

Adding any number of steps to your day, even if it’s just a small part of your commute, is a great way to burn calories, lower your risk of chronic disease, improve your mood, and is free. #Winning! Even if you don’t live within walking distance to your workplace, you can look for ways to add in some extra steps, like getting off the bus a stop early. Y’know, to pick up a donut and offset those burned calories. You earned it.

This koala added strength training to their cardio routine.

So, how do I start?

Check out the Seattle Walking Map! This map was designed to help people choose a walking route that best suits their interests and fitness level. It includes routes that follow sidewalks, shoulders on quiet streets, and park trails.

South Seattle Walking Map

The South Seattle Walking Map is one of three walking maps throughout the city.

King County Metro’s Downtown Accessibility Map lets you plan trips to downtown Seattle destinations that avoid the hills using public transportation and a variety of building elevators and escalators.

Accessibility Map

 

Regardless of how you’re getting around, remember to look out for yourself and others.

Here are some basic safety tips to keep in mind on Walk to Work Day and every day:

  • All intersections (not just the marked crosswalks) are legal crossings. Expect pedestrians and be on the lookout for people crossing the street.
  • Look both ways (remember what we learned as children: left, right, left again). It’s also a good idea to look over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
  • If you’re driving, take it slow. Math + basic physics = increased crashes as speed increases. And survivability for pedestrians involved in a crash goes down with each additional MPH. It’s 20 MPH on residential streets, and 25 MPH on arterials, unless otherwise posted.
  • Pay attention. No matter how you get around, get your head out of your apps. Keep your phone out of reach, especially when you’re behind the wheel. If you’re crossing the street, pop it into your pocket and be aware of your surroundings.

Happy walking! #WalktoWorkDay

people with dogs

Bonus points: bring a furry friend.

 

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We studied how we use public spaces. And the results may surprise you.

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SDOT city planners launched a first-of-a-kind public life study to collect “people-centered data.”

 

Last summer, when our urban planners launched SDOT’s first-ever public life study (pssst: this is the first ever for any municipal transportation agency in the country!), they weren’t exactly sure what they’d find. One thing we were certain of was its value.

 

We wanted to know how ordinary people like you and I used public spaces as part of their daily life in Seattle. So naturally, curiosity led our team to survey and observe the activities at sidewalks on 108 block faces across 38 Seattle neighborhoods at different times on various days of the week to examine how the public uses public spaces.

 

We released the results of the 2018 public life study online as open data and published a cool interactive dashboard and are eager to share it with you and communities around the world that are looking to adopt the new public life protocol to inform their city planning practices.

 

The study set out to measure how people are using public spaces across the city. 

 

We’re incredibly excited about what we found but more thrilled about the super valuable “people-centered” data. This study will help us to design spaces based on observed need & to create spaces that foster more vibrancy while staying unique to a specific neighborhood’s style & flavor. And this is what we found.

 

10%

Nearly one-in-ten people on public sidewalks ended up staying for some time, for a variety of reasons like waiting for public transportation and fiddling with their mobile devices.

 

South Lake Union, Seattle | Photo by Jeanne Clark

 

56%

Fifty-six percent of people lingering on our sidewalks exhibited extroverted behaviors that included one-on-one and group conversations, as well as active engagement with the social environment, including purchasing items from street vendors or watching street musicians.

 

Pike Place Market

 

25%

Twenty-five percent were actively engaged in some type of commercial activity, such as dining at sidewalk cafés, window shopping or waiting in line at a food truck. This really shows the importance of sidewalks and public spaces that facilitate these types of neighboring businesses. #ShopLocal

 

Friends gathered

 

As for people’s posture, surveyors found that only one-in-four people who hung out on public sidewalks actually sat in seating provided either for the public or restaurant patrons.

 

61%

Sixty-one percent of observed public space users stood—whether that’s a preference or requirement given the amount of available seating provided, we aren’t sure. And 11 percent of those who decided to stay and hang out opted to either lean on nearby structures or use random objects as chairs for seating.

 

Downtown Seattle, City Hall | Photo by Jeanne Clark

 

By documenting this type of information, we can identify areas where public seating is woefully needed, and yes, we can rule out placing additional seating in places where people just aren’t down for relaxing on public seats.

 

The largest number of people in public spaces were observed in Seattle’s densest neighborhoods, engaged in a variety of activities depending on the neighborhood, day of the week, and time of day. The top five busiest neighborhoods surveyed were:

 

  1. Commercial core.
  2. Denny Triangle.
  3. Pioneer Square.
  4. Belltown.
  5. South Lake Union.

 

With an honorable mention landing with lower density neighborhood/commercial districts—including Capitol Hill, Ballard, West Seattle Junction, Alki, and Pike/Pine. Each had nearly as many people hanging out at the top five.

 

Phinney Ridge, Seattle

 

This study helps us to design spaces based on observed need & to create spaces that foster more vibrancy while staying unique to a specific neighborhood’s style & flavor.

 

This type of bespoke planning can help the City spend more wisely on neighborhood investments by allocating resources where they’re most needed. One neighborhood’s overlooked art sculpture is another one’s lounge chair. You just never know! Well, now we actually do. . .

 

 

We’ll take action on the public life data by developing action plans in small study areas.

 

We hope to build on the initial dataset each year to help create the Department’s people-centered database, capturing more neighborhoods, block faces, and times of the day. We’ll use the data to develop action plans in small study areas either at the neighborhood scale or by block face. These action plans will help us to optimize public space design, possibly leading to more seating, larger spaces to congregate, or working with an adjacent landowner to engage with the street more. We also developed a new Guide For Data Collectors – a tool that can help community advocates strengthen advocacy efforts with data.

As you can tell from this guide – data collection is a lot of work. Sidewalk Labs recently announced a new mobile app to help automate this process through public engagement. Though the app is currently in beta mode, it could one day be a data collection tool in the palm of the public’s hand.

Questions? Or interested in conducting a study in your neighborhood? For more information about this work, email SDOTpubliclife@seattle.gov.

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Making the most of the Move Seattle Levy resources to implement the Bicycle Master Plan.

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Over the past 3 years, the City of Seattle has built 27 miles of new bike facilities.

 

Mayor Durkan and SDOT Director, Sam Zimbabwe are committed to continuing to build a connected bike network as Seattle grows. We know many people are talking about how we’re implementing Seattle’s 2014 Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) recommendations. We recently submitted to City Council a draft BMP Implementation Plan – a list of projects we’ve currently secured funding for to complete in the next six years. 

 

Let’s talk about what this means.  

 

Last fall, we completed a comprehensive reassessment of the Levy to Move Seattle under the leadership of Mayor Durkan based on more realistic assumptions than we used in 2015. The Bike Master Plan is funded in large part by the Levy so we’ve been working with the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board to prioritize the projects in the Bike Master Plan to make the best investments and maximize safety, connectivity, equity, ridership, and livability.

 

Enter the draft BMP Implementation Plan.

 

This plan reprioritizes projects based on available funding – keeping in mind that we’re also working to secure additional funds that would allow us to construct more projects.

 

  

 

We’re taking public comments on the draft Implementation Plan plan until April 30. We’ll then submit a revised version to City Council. Once the plan is complete, there are still many steps that need to be taken before a project is built because things can change over time. For example, we may need to revise the plan if something unforeseen comes up during engineering, if there are coordination challenges with other public and private projects, or as we learn about other issues through community engagement.  

 

One way we can advance transparency is to identify potential risks or issues that may change over time, and by engaging in an open public process.

 

Our goal is to be upfront about what we’ll need to consider before each project is built.  

 

The draft BMP Implementation Plan anticipates constructing 49 miles of bicycle facilities and designing an additional 13 miles using a combination of Levy to Move Seattle and other project funding. The plan identifies projects and programs which, combined with existing facilities, will make significant progress towards implementing the BMP recommendations over the next six years. It works to achieve an all ages and abilities bike network through a combination of protected bike lanes, trails, neighborhood greenways, and funding for bike parking, encouragement programs, and safety education. Here’s what we’re proposing.

 

. P R O P O S E D .

Bike Master Plan projects/recommendations over the next six years.

 

The following maps show numbered projects in geographic sections: North, Central, and South Seattle. Reference the project number with the Project Funded List below.

NORTH SEATTLE: Proposed Bicycle Master Plan Projects

 

CENTRAL SEATTLE: Proposed Bicycle Master Plan Projects

 

SOUTH SEATTLE: Proposed Bicycle Master Plan Projects

 

. P R O J E C T S  F U N D E D  L I S T .

Projects funded through construction by risk.

 

 

In 2018, bike ridership increased by 12% compared to last year.

 

This data is based on permanent bike counters. In fact, with the extension of the 2nd Ave protected bike lane (aka PBL), ridership on that facility increased by 32%. The connections recommended in the draft BMP Implementation Plan will encourage even more people to bike. Here’s where the proposed bike lanes and trails will take you: 

 

  • 22 connections to existing or proposed transit hubs 
  • 4 connections to existing or soon to be open LINK light rail stations  
  • 16 bicycle connections near schools 

 

And here are connections made with the recommended neighborhood greenways: 

 

  • 10 new Safe Routes to School connections  
  • 27 projects connect to frequent transit network routes  
  • 11 projects connect to existing or soon to be open LINK light rail stations 

 

This week we’ll discuss the proposed draft BMP Implementation Plan with City Council, the Levy to Move Seattle Oversight Committee, & the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board. 

 

 

Stay tuned, we’re working with the Department of Neighborhoods & planning three four open houses in April. 

 

At the open houses, you’ll learn about the value of a bicycle network, get your questions answered about how the project list was developed, and hear your thoughts on the projects. We’ll also share a summary of what we heard from the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board and other stakeholders and then finalize the plan and update City Council.  

 

As individual projects move forward, we’ll continue to engage with the community as we move through design and construction.  

 

Resources:

2014 Bicycle Master Plan (BMP)

Draft BMP Implementation Plan

The comprehensive reassessment of the Levy to Move Seattle 

 

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Keeping you in the Levy loop.

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We completed a comprehensive reassessment on the Levy to Move Seattle.

 

Last fall, we completed a comprehensive reassessment on the Levy to Move Seattle under the leadership of Mayor Durkan. The update was based on more realistic assumptions than we used in 2015.

 

This is an update on the improvements we’ve made since the levy work began in 2016. We also published the 2018 Annual Levy to Move Seattle Report which details our performance and financial progress from last year. The report provides a status update for the planned levy deliverables. This is our most detailed report yet, giving the Levy Oversight Committee, elected officials, and the general public the information needed to track progress and hold us accountable.

 

While work is still underway, here’s a look at the levy work completed so far between 2016-2018:

 

4,170

Repainted crosswalks

 

 

9

Miles of new protected bike lanes

 

 

85

Repaved lane miles

 

 

4 & 44

4 Newly installed traffic signals

44 Additional improved traffic signals

 

 

88

Safe Routes to School projects

 

 

Our crews & contractors are progressing on completing projects that carried over from 2018.

 

We’re also getting started on the 2019 plan. This year, we’ll continue making maintenance and safety improvements on lane paving, protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, new sidewalks, curb ramps, tree plantings, and traffic spot improvements. We’re also excited about three cornerstones progress-making Move Seattle projects on the horizon:

 

Lander Bridge

We’re constructing a new bridge over the train tracks on S Lander St between 1st and 4th Avenues S to improve access and relieve congestion in SODO.

 

Fairview Bridge

We’re replacing the existing bridge to meet current seismic standards and improve traffic flow.

 

Northgate Ped/Bike Bridge

We’re designing and constructing a new pedestrian and bicycle overpass across Interstate 5 to improve neighborhood connection and access in Northgate.

 

We’ll continue to keep you informed on Levy progress through quarterly & annual reports.

 

Keep a lookout for our Bike Master Plan 2019-2024 Implementation Plan and project list. 

 

Resources:

April 2 Move Seattle Levy Presentation

2018 Annual Levy to Move Seattle Report

2019 Planned Accomplishments

 

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35TH AVE NE PROJECT: Safety for all in NE Seattle.

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We’ve heard from many people advocating for safer ways to travel in NE Seattle.

 

Since planning for the 35th Ave NE Project began in 2016, we’ve heard from many people advocating for safer ways to travel in NE Seattle. We’ve welcomed every comment, phone call, email, and conversation and taken those into consideration. We appreciate everyone who has reached out to share their thoughts, concerns, and support for the proposed safety enhancements.

 

Moving forward with a new design for 35th.

 

When the project began, the goal was to better organize the street, increasing safety for everyone.  To meet this goal, we proposed a design that included bike lanes consistent with recommendations from the Bike Master Plan adopted by City Council in 2014.

 

In response to the feedback we heard about the design, and based on industry best practices, data analysis, and continued conversations with the community, we’ve chosen to move forward with a new design that includes 1 travel lane in each direction, a center turn lane (north of 65th) and parking maintained on the east side of the street (between NE 47th and NE 85th streets). In addition, we’ll be making enhancements to the neighborhood greenway on 39th Ave NE.

 

Better street design can lead to safer streets.

 

The new design helps us improve safety and operations for all travelers on 35th by providing a dedicated space for turning vehicles. We’ve seen decreased vehicle speeds and decreased collision rates on streets with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane. Examples include NE 75th St, NE 125th St, and Nickerson St. By slowing vehicle speeds and better defining the travel lanes, this helps increase safety for everyone on 35th, including people crossing the street.

 

The new design will also allow efficient transit travel through the corridor with southbound buses making in-lane stops at the curb. Based on community feedback, the new design keeps the northbound and southbound bus stops at NE 68th St for riders wanting access at this important location.

 

New design elements:

 

NE 47th St to NE 65th St

  • Parking will be maintained on the east side of the street, instead of both sides
  • One lane in each direction
  • No center turn lane given the narrow width of the road

 

NE 65th St to NE 85th St

  • Parking will be maintained on the east side of the street, instead of both sides
  • One lane in each direction
  • Center turn lane

 

NE 85th St to NE 89th St

  • Parking will be maintained on both sides of the street
  • One lane in each direction
  • Center turn lane

 

Throughout the corridor

  • Pedestrian crossing improvements at 60th St and 80th St, with further evaluation of additional requests after the project is complete
  • New left-turn pockets at NE 75th St as well as space for left-turning vehicles to pull out of the travel lane at many other intersections
  • Signage and crossing enhancements on the 39th Ave NE greenway
  • New load zones and short-term parking changes, in coordination with nearby businesses

 

 

We’ve heard consistently that safety along this corridor is the neighborhood’s number one priority. 

 

Throughout the lifetime of this project, we have continued to receive feedback about the original design and participated in additional conversations with community members for and against this project in an attempt to find common ground. We have heard consistently that safety along this corridor is the neighborhood’s number one priority.

 

With a year’s worth of comments, targeted outreach, and additional analysis, we have chosen a new design that reflects the neighborhood priority to enhance safety along 35th. While there would be no protected bike lanes on 35th, people riding in the street would still benefit from slower vehicle speeds and clearly defined travel lanes. We will also be making enhancements to the parallel neighborhood greenway on 39th Ave NE that provides a route for people that prefer to bike on a quieter street.

 

To make space for the center turn lane, parking will be maintained on the east side of the street, instead of both sides.  Throughout this project, we’ve worked with businesses and religious organizations along 35th to better understand parking, loading, and access needs. With the new design, we have decided to prioritize parking on the east side of the street. This decision is based on community feedback and the location of several existing load zones and ADA parking spaces on the east side of the street. We’ve heard that these spaces are critical for people with limited mobility that are attending services at the religious institutions on 35th.

 

We’re moving forward to implement this new design in order to improve safety for everyone.

 

The design is conceptual and still needs to be further developed. We’ll share additional details with the community in the coming weeks.

 

The new design addresses many concerns we’ve heard from the community, however, we’ve also heard requests for additional enhancements along the corridor. SDOT is evaluating these requests and will share more information as we have it. We hope to continue developing a strong relationship with community members to help us take a holistic look at future transportation and mobility projects in northeast Seattle.

 

We anticipate construction, including final paving and striping, to resume this spring. If you have questions, please contact us at 35thAvePaving@seattle.gov or 206.512.3950.

 

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#SeattleSqueeze Alert: More Uniformed Police Officers on downtown streets Mar. 25–27, 2019.

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Uniformed Police Officers (UPOs) will be at key downtown intersections to keep cars, transit, and people moving.

 

To help keep transit moving during the first commute days of the buses coming out of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, with the help of our partners at King County Metro and the Seattle Police Department, we’re placing uniformed police officers (UPOs) at key downtown intersections on weekday evenings.

 

Beginning Monday, March 25, officers will help direct traffic, keeping bus lanes and intersections clear, and keeping cars, transit, and people moving. Officers will not override traffic signals; rather, they will ensure intersections are kept clear. This helps everyone traveling through Seattle at peak commute hours. Our traffic engineers worked closely with our partner agencies to identify the appropriate locations and number of officers staged.

 

If you’re not a bus, then you (generally) shouldn’t be in the transit lane.

 

Stay in your lane. If you’re not driving a bus, then you (generally) shouldn’t be in the transit lane. In some instances, you can hop into a bus lane to turn off the street, but for the most part, bus lanes are for buses, so please don’t use them to get around gridlock.

 

 

Please, don’t block the box. Keep the intersections clear.

 

Don’t block the box. Keep the intersections clear. When you pull into an intersection, make sure you can clear it before the signal changes to a red light. Wait your turn. Don’t be that person who holds up traffic and blocks the crosswalk – it’s not safe for anyone involved, plus, it negatively impacts those with mobility challenges. Also, there’s nothing like being honked at and getting the warranted evil eye from people trying to cross the street.

 

Thanks for doing your part to help keep Seattle moving safely during the #SeattleSqueeze!

 

#SeattleSqueeze, Seattle’s new normal.

 

Over the next five years, Seattle’s downtown will be in a state of transition to meet the needs of our growing city and region – #SeattleSqueeze. We’re making changes to our city and to our regional transportation system and help people get where they need to go safely and efficiently. New mobility projects are being developed and constructed to connect communities to downtown with fast, regular service and to create the public spaces our growing region needs. For more information, tools, and resources on  #SeattleSqueeze, please visit our website!

 

 

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Another new normal. Another new chapter. 7 buses make their final ascent to surface streets.

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Image by Wyatt Olson via https://www.instagram.com/cvtydreamer/

Another new normal. Another new chapter.

 

Tonight, we bid our final farewell as the buses exit stage left and right of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel platform.

By the time most of you wake up on Saturday morning (3.23.19), seven bus routes will have made their permanent ascent from the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) to Seattle’s surface streets. Another new normal, another new chapter for our growing city as we make changes to accommodate the Washington State Convention Center construction and future Link light rail expansion.

 

We’ve prioritized transit by streamlining and improving transit operations.

 

With these additional buses operating on downtown streets, we’ve partnered with King County Metro to streamline and improve transit operations as we continue to squeeze some more, #SeattleSqueeze. Here’s what we’ve delivered and what it means for you:

 

N E W !

We expanded Third Ave bus-only hours.

 

 

We expanded the bus-only hours on Third Ave from Stewart St to just south of Yesler Way. This means for seven days a week, from 6 AM in the morning to 7 PM at night, Third Ave is reserved for buses, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

 

N E W !

We installed ORCA transit card readers & real-time bus arrival signs.

 

 

New ORCA transit card readers and real-time bus arrival signs are at every single stop on Third Ave between Yesler and Denny. This means starting on March 23, you’ll be able to tap your ORCA transit card prior to boarding the bus to speed up your bus on-boarding.

Permanent off-board fare readers are already installed at 21 of the corridor’s 31 bus stops, and installation at the remaining ten stops is scheduled April through December 2019. Until permanent equipment is installed, transit operators will serve as ORCA boarding assistants and will scan riders’ ORCA cards using handheld fare readers at ten stops during weekday commutes between about 3 – 7 PM, the busiest period for boarding on Third.

 

N E W !

Peak-only bus pathways on 5th & 6th avenues.

 

 

To keep transit moving reliably, we installed a new bus pathway on 5th and 6th avenues to serve as a PM peak-only bus lane to help buses move travelers north. These buses are traveling to northeast Seattle and the Eastside, and we’re thrilled to be providing a quick and reliable commute for these travelers, as well as working with Metro to make sure our other downtown streets are clear for transit.

The King County Metro routes that will use the pathway include 74, 76, 77, 252, 255, 257, 301, 308, 311, and 316.

 

If you ride one of these buses, your bus route has changed. 

 

If you ride one of these routes: 41, 74, 76, 77, 101, 102, 150, 252, 255, 257, 301, 308, 311, 316, 550, you will now get on and off at the new bus stops downtown.

 

NEW MAP: Bus stops on 2nd to 6th avenues.

 

Adjusting and prioritizing transit is a key way to making sure people can keep moving reliably and affordably throughout Seattle. We really appreciate our partners at King County Metro for their collaboration and hard work with us to make these critical transit improvements.

 

And finally, thank you, again and again, Seattle, for adjusting with us as we grow together as one of the best cities of the world!

 

#SeattleSqueeze, Seattle’s new normal.

 

Over the next five years, Seattle’s downtown will be in a state of transition to meet the needs of our growing city and region – #SeattleSqueeze. We’re making changes to our city and to our regional transportation system and help people get where they need to go safely and efficiently. New mobility projects are being developed and constructed to connect communities to downtown with fast, regular service and to create the public spaces our growing region needs.

For more information, tools, and resources on  #SeattleSqueeze, please visit our website!

 

 

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March 23-24: Get ready for round two of closures at S Massachusetts St & 23rd Ave S.

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This weekend, March 23-24, our work continues from last weekend at the 23rd Ave S and S Massachusetts St intersection to replace the existing concrete panels on S Massachusetts St as part of the larger 23rd Ave Corridor Improvements project. This weekend we’re completing the second half of the project and replacing the concrete panels on the east side of the intersection. Our goal is to improve safety and mobility for people who drive, walk, bike, and take transit in this area.

Here’s what you can expect:

 

S C H E D U L E

This weekend we’re focusing on the east side of the intersection. Starting at 7 AM on Saturday, we’re closing the east leg of the 23rd Ave S and S Massachusetts St intersection to dig up and remove the old concrete panels, then form, and pour new ones. The road will stay closed Sunday to allow the concrete to cure and will return to normal on Monday, March 25, at 5 AM.

 

C L O S U R E  |  D E T O U R

The east leg of the 23rd Ave S and S Massachusetts St intersection will be closed. For the duration of the closure, motorists will be detoured to the arterial. Local access will be maintained along S Massachusetts St between 23rd Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr Way S.

 

N O I S E

We’ve obtained a noise variance to start work at 7 AM on Saturday. Neighbors will see and hear construction activity throughout the weekend. Thanks for your patience!

 

Want more information about this project?

Visit our website!

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the project team at 23rdAveCorridor@seattle.gov or call the project information line at 206.727.8857.

 

 

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