See what’s moving in Seattle: Oct 14 – Oct 20

October 14, 2019 by Salma Siddick

Indigenous Women marching on International Women’s Day. Image: @dulceylima via Unsplash

Hi Seattleites! This Fall weather though😲. Between the leaves changing and the gorgeous sunshine, it’s a little unbelievable that we are in the middle of October. Here is what’s happening in the city this week.

M O N. O C T 14

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration March: 9 – 10:30 AM rally at Westlake Park followed by a march to City Hall via 5th Ave. Estimated attendance: 240.

T U E. O C T 15

Dropkick Murphys and Clutch: WaMu Theater. Event Hours: 6:45 – 9:45 PM. Doors at 6 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

W E D. O C T 16

Bring me the Horizon: Threesome Tour: WaMu Theater. Event Hours: 7 – 10 PM. Doors at 6 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

S A T. O C T 19

Making Strides of Seattle: 3-mile fundraising walk to fight breast cancer. Walk will start and finish at Gas Works Park. Route will use streets and trails to the west of the park. Event hours: 10 AM – 12 PM. Estimated attendance: 2.2k.

A21 Walk for Freedom: Walk to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking. Participants will march north on 1st Ave. from Churchome (2700 1st Ave.) to Pike St, then return to Churchome. Marchers will remain on sidewalks. Event hours: 10 AM – 1 PM. Estimated attendance: 325.

Seattle Sounders vs. Dallas FC: CenturyLink Field. Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 35k.

Washington Huskies vs. Oregon Ducks: At Husky Stadium. Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 70k.

SeaCompression 2019: Forgotten Futures: Seattle Design Center in Seattle’s Georgetown Neighborhood. Official annual decompression party for the Burning Man community of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region. Event hours: 2 PM – 2 AM. Estimated attendance: 1,700.

Seattle Opera presents Cinderella: McCaw Hall. Event Hours: 7:30 – 10:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

The Who: T-Mobile Park. Event hours: 7:30 – 11 PM. Estimated attendance: 20k.

Hozier: Wasteland, Baby! 2019 Tour: WaMu Theater. Event Hours: 8 – 11 PM. Doors open : 7 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

S U N. O C T 20

Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens: Century Link Field. Kickoff: 1:25 PM. Estimated attendance: 72k.

Seattle Opera presents Cinderella: McCaw Hall. Event Hours: 2 – 5 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

New 24/7 red bus lanes on Olive Way are just the beginning

October 14, 2019 by Ethan Bergerson

New red bus lane on Olive Way. Credit: Dongho Chang.

We’re a third of the way to our goal of 90 new blocks of red bus lanes by the end of 2020.

A few weeks ago, Mayor Durkan announced that her proposed budget would create 90 blocks of new red bus lanes by the end of 2020. Since then, we’ve been wasting no time adding red markings at strategic locations downtown to help keep transit moving. This past weekend, we turned a four-block stretch of Olive Way into a 24/7 red bus lane, bringing us over a third of the way towards our 90-block goal.

The brand new red bus lanes are on Olive Way between 4th Ave and 8th Ave. Thirty-nine bus routes use Olive Way, and this will mean a more reliable trip for about 33,000 people each day. Previously, these lanes only prioritized buses at certain times of the day, but they will now be solely devoted to keeping buses moving reliably 24/7.

Map of new downtown red bus lanes.

SDOT crews have added a total of 32 blocks of red bus lanes so far in 2019.

Since the Mayor’s September announcement of the largest ever expansion of 24/7 red bus lanes, we added red markings on Westlake Ave, Pike Street, 5th Ave, and now Olive Way. Red treatment was also added to two blocks on Terry Ave and nine blocks on Rainier Ave earlier this summer.

Adding this much red colorization so quickly is a huge feat. To create the scarlet boxes, we use methyl methacrylate (MMA) which bonds to the pavement and is more durable than paint. MMA requires special equipment, handling, and storage and will only set if the temperature is above 55° F and the pavement is dry. We’ve been working on nights and weekends to limit the impact to bus service, and our hard-working crews have devoted 12 and 14-hour shifts to get as much done as possible before the rainy season.

Thank you to the Signs & Markings crew who worked through the night to keep transit moving.

Lots more red lanes coming in 2020.

We’ve got big plans to keep on adding new red bus lanes in 2020. Once weather conditions allow, we’ll add red to the new two-way Columbia St Transit Pathway, which will be a crucial step to open a more efficient and reliable Waterfront route for buses heading between West Seattle and downtown.

We also expect to add red markings to another five blocks bus lanes downtown on Pine St and Terry St. West Seattle bus routes will also benefit from red bus lanes on SW Alaska Street from 35th Ave SW to 42nd Ave SW. The biggest change will be completion of about 30 blocks of red lanes in both directions on Rainier Ave between S Mead St and S Henderson St.

Crews adding red to Westlake Ave in September.

Red bus lanes are one of the many ways we invest in transit.

Red markings help to make bus lanes more visible to drivers so that it is clear where cars are not allowed. This helps increase compliance with bus-only restrictions, which is essential to keeping transit and our city moving.

The voter-approved Seattle Transportation Benefit District and Move Seattle Levy both helped pay for the 90 blocks of new red bus lanes and our transit spot improvement program.

This is just one of the ways that we are working to keep transit reliable for our residents. In addition to red markings, we are also investing in new bus stop shelters and head start signals for buses. Seattle Police Department will continue to be out there enforcing the rules of the road and ticketing drivers who violate the law by illegally blocking buses. City leaders will also continue to push for new laws allowing us to use cameras to automatically enforce bus lane restrictions and keep the city moving.

Travel Impacts in Seattle | October 11 – 14

October 10, 2019 by Molly Wright

It’s a busy weekend for maintenance, construction, and events in Seattle. If you’re traveling to Seattle, please plan ahead and prepare for impacts.

Westbound SR 520 in Seattle closed October 12-13

Looking east on SR 520, this aerial view shows the West Approach Bridge North, which connect the westbound lanes from the floating bridge to Montlake. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.

From 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, crews will close westbound SR 520 between 92nd Avenue Northeast on the eastside and Montlake Boulevard in Seattle. Crews will reduce westbound lanes from three to two between the floating bridge and Montlake Boulevard.

Plan ahead and use different routes if planning to travel across Lake Washington this weekend.

Learn more about the project here.

SR 99 tunnel closed October 11-14 for maintenance

Northbound deck of the SR 99 tunnel. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.

WSDOT maintenance crews are checking operational systems inside the SR 99 tunnel. Please plan ahead and use alternate routes if traveling on SR 99 this weekend.

Friday, Oct. 11, to the morning of Monday, Oct. 14: Northbound SR 99 between Spokane Street and the north end of the tunnel will fully close from 11 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday.

Friday, Oct. 11, to the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12: All lanes of the southbound SR 99 tunnel will close for routine maintenance from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Get the latest information here.

Adjusting the northbound SR 99 bus-only lane on October 11-13

After working with our transportation partners to reinstall the bus-only lane on northbound SR 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge in late September, we are adjusting the bus-only lane this weekend to give people driving more time to merge before the bus-only lane begins.

Crews will be working inside the WSDOT closure of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the tunnel. Please plan and prepare for impacts to travel over the weekend.

Learn more in our latest blog.

Link light rail closed between Capitol Hill and SODO Stations October 11-14

Buses will replace trains between SODO-Capitol Hill on Oct. 12-13, Oct. 26-27, and Nov. 9-10. Beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 – 1 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, trains will run as usual between SODO-Angle Lake and Capitol Hill-UW, with three-car trains every 10 minutes during most hours of the day. Free bus shuttles will run every 7 minutes in groups of two buses at a time, serving SODO, Stadium, International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, University Street, Westlake and Capitol Hill.

Construction crews will use these closures to construct a new temporary platform at Pioneer Square Station.

Find the latest information at Sound Transit’s service alert.

Don’t forget about events this weekend, too!

Sat. Oct 12

Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk: Fundraising event to help fight heart disease and stroke. Walk from Seattle Center to Downtown and back. Walk will start at 2nd Ave. N. & Mercer, go east on Mercer, south on 5th, west on Cedar, south on 4th, U-Turn at University, north on 4th, east on Broad, north on 5th, west on Harrison and onto the Seattle Center campus. Event Hours: 9AM – 11AM. Estimated attendance: 10,000.

Seattle Home Show: At CenturyLink Field Event Center. Event hours: 10AM – 6PM. Estimated attendance: 2,000.

Sun.Oct 13

University of Washington Dawg Dash: Run in support of student scholarships. Run will start and finish on University of Washington campus. Route will use roadways on UW campus, and roads and trails to the north and south of campus. 10K begins at 9AM, 5K Run/Walk at 9:30AM. Estimated attendance: 3,700.

Seattle Home Show: At CenturyLink Field Event Center. Event hours: 10AM – 6PM. Estimated attendance: 2,000.

Travel safe and keep on #SeattleSqueeze-ing!

October 11-13: Adjusting the NB SR 99 Bus Lane to Keep People Moving

October 10, 2019 by Molly Wright

Looking south at SR 99 during the evening commute on October 8. The newly reinstalled northbound bus lane is pictured on the far left.

Why was the bus lane re-installed?

There are 12 bus routes carrying 30,000 people each day into downtown Seattle that use this stretch of SR 99. The lane was originally installed to help provide transit reliability as WSDOT worked to demolish the Alaskan Way viaduct and construct the new tunnel.

As we prepare for tolling to begin in the SR 99 tunnel on November 9, we are committed to providing a reliable commute for those bus riders from West Seattle. We recognize that the re-installation of the bus-only lane has had traffic impacts on all commuters to and from West Seattle. Adjusting the bus-only lane to give drivers and buses time to adjust and additional distance to access the correct lanes will keep people moving more reliably and help transit more easily access the dedicated bus-only lane.

Over the summer, we observed buses that used northbound SR 99 to travel from West Seattle to downtown Seattle were less reliable, with some increased travel times. Our partners at King County Metro report that the re-installed bus-only lane has improved transit reliability during the congested peak period, and we want to make that reliable trip even more efficient!

Here’s what you can expect:

SCHEDULE

Our crews will begin working on Saturday, October 12. They will complete this work by the time the NB SR 99 tunnel reopens at 4 AM Monday, October 14. We coordinated these changes with the tunnel closure in order to minimize impacts to the traveling public and take advantage of a positive weather forecast.

CLOSURE | DETOUR

Crews will be working inside the WSDOT closure of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the tunnel. Please plan and prepare for impacts to travel over the weekend.

PROJECT OUTCOME

In the Transportation Operations Center (TOC), we’ve been monitoring traffic on NB SR 99 and on the West Seattle Bridge. After noting additional congestion and delay for general purpose traffic exiting from West Seattle, creating traffic in the area, our goal is to provide space for drivers to merge before the bus-only lane begins, reducing travel times and maintaining reliability for buses.

Given the challenges that West Seattle bus riders have experienced this year, we will be watching closely to see how the new pathway improves travel times and reliability for these riders and to identify and implement signal and operational changes, as needed.

We will continue to monitor as drivers and buses get used to the restored bus-only lane, and we will continue working with our partners to ensure buses are able to move along that pathway.

We look forward to the opening of the Columbia St two-way transit pathway and Alaskan Way for buses, which will help provide an improved transit experience for our riders.

Please plan ahead and prepare for impacts to travel.

A person waits to board the RapidRide C Line at a bus stop in West Seattle.

Traffic patterns will continue to change as people adjust to the reinstalled bus lane and the beginning of tolling in the SR 99 tunnel. During this period of transition, please plan for extra time, shift the hours you commute, and avoid driving alone downtown if possible. With the installation of this bus lane, taking the bus is a great transportation option from West Seattle. Thanks for your patience as we all continue to navigate the Seattle Squeeze.

Want more information?

For the latest travel information, please follow our @SDOTTraffic Twitter account for real-time updates on incidents impacting Seattle’s streets. You can also check our live traffic cameras on the SDOT Travelers Map.

See What’s Moving Seattle: Oct 7 – Oct 13

October 8, 2019 by Niki Seligman

People riding bikes on the Burke Gilman next to a mural.

People riding bikes on the Burke Gilman. Photo by Taylor Vick on Unsplash.

Be aware of the following events in the city that may affect area traffic.

Tues.Oct 8

Logic: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Tour: Concert at WaMu Theater. Event Hours: 7:30PM – 10:30PM. Doors at 6:30PM. Estimated attendance: 7,000.

Wed.Oct 9

Bastille: Dooms Days Tour Part 1: Concert at WaMu Theater. Event Hours: 7:30PM – 10:30PM. Doors at 6:30PM. Estimated attendance: 7,000.

Sat.Oct 12

Seattle Home Show: At CenturyLink Field Event Center. Event hours: 10AM – 6PM. Estimated attendance: 2,000.

Sun.Oct 13

Seattle Home Show: At CenturyLink Field Event Center. Event hours: 10AM – 6PM. Estimated attendance: 2,000.

Contribute to climate resilience, plant a tree!

October 7, 2019 by Salma Siddick

Urban Forestry team planting trees on city roads

Did you know we have a detailed inventory of the location, planted date, and types of trees along City rights-of-way?

Seattle’s original street tree inventory was first undertaken between 1991-1993.

An accurate street tree inventory is a powerful decision-making tool. Since the urban forest is not static but changes from year to year, updates are essential. As part of the Move Seattle Levy, Urban Forestry began a wholesale update of the data. This year our team added 19,282 trees to the inventory.

Our comprehensive street tree inventory also provides valuable data for gauging the ecosystem services provided by our urban forest.

We analyze the data with a program that was developed by the US Forest Service, called iTree. We plug in the street tree data and the resulting analysis provides valuable information on the tree population while calculating some of the known yearly environmental benefits. The benefits we can quantify and put a dollar value to are energy savings, CO2 storage, improved air quality, storm-water collection, and increased aesthetics. This year, our calculated yearly value for these benefits increased from $18 million dollars per year to over $24 million dollars per year, simply because we have collected more and better data.

There are many benefits to urban street trees that we are not yet able to quantify and put a value to but are just as important. Those benefits include cooling heat islands, improving public health, calming traffic in residential areas, shading our sidewalks to make them more pedestrian-friendly, and more.

One very important benefit of urban trees is their ability to both help slow climate change and make humans more resilient to climate change, especially in urban settings.

Tree-lined streets in Seattle. Photo by Jeanne Clark.

Trees are the lungs of our planet. They breathe in and store carbon dioxide while emitting pure oxygen.

The combined annual carbon storage benefit from just the trees along our streets is over $105,000. Additionally, these trees are improving air quality to the tune of $193,000 per year. Street trees are also especially important in cooling pockets of high summer temperatures, or heat islands, which will become more of a problem as the climate continues to warm. Additional carbon storage and air quality value comes from other trees in parks and around homes.

You’re invited to take part in fighting climate change through stewardship of our urban forest. This upcoming Arbor Day, come plant a tree & celebrate.

The event will place October 12, from 9 AM-noon at Rainier Beach Community Center. This is especially exciting because Rainier Valley is home to Seattle’s largest and oldest Garry Oak’s, Washington’s only native Oak. Arbor Day activities include an ‘Ask an Arborist’ booth, a neighborhood Tree Walk, apple cider press, trash pickup, bird spotting, and more! All ages and abilities welcome. Check back frequently to stay on top of Seattle’s tree-centric activities designed to bring communities together while boosting climate resilience.

SpokesSalmon Sal Says “Flip Your Trip” and Commute Car-Free Once a Week!

October 7, 2019 by Molly Wright

To reduce the number of people driving alone downtown during peak commute times, we launched a new campaign called #FlipYourTrip to encourage people to commute car-free at least once a week to downtown Seattle. Our message is simple: if you usually drive into Seattle by yourself, commuting car-free once a week is an easy way to do something good for yourself, your city, and your planet.

Our SpokesSalmon, Sal, like all salmon who migrate, hates congested commutes.

But unlike other salmon, she’s found a solution. In fact, she’s found many solutions. And she wants to share them with humans to help us all find a better way to get to and from downtown.

She’s *literally* a fish out of water: awkward and a little weird, but her sardonic wit and playful banter make even the grumpiest Seattle commuter laugh.

Don’t take our word for it – watch her talk to commuters on the street about their commute habits!

We want you to show us how you #FlipYourTrip!

Vehicles driving on I-5 North with downtown Seattle in the background.

Image from the @SeattleDOT Instagram page.

Spread the word by sharing how you commute car free using the hashtag #FlipYourTrip and tagging @SeattleDOT on social media. Visit FlipYourTrip.org for lots of great ideas on flipping your trip!

See What’s Moving Seattle: Oct 2 – Oct 6

October 2, 2019 by Salma Siddick

Sounder Train in Downtown Seattle

W E D. O C T 2

Lana Del Rey concert: WaMu Theater. Show hours: 8 – 10:30 PM. Doors at 7 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

T H U R. O C T 3

Mass of the Holy Spirit: Procession from Immaculate Conception Church (18th Ave. & E. Marion St) to Seattle University campus at 12th Ave. & E. Marion St. Seattle Police Department will escort the procession. Event hours: 11:30 – 12 PM. Estimated attendance: 200.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams: CenturyLink Field. Kickoff: 5:20 PM. Estimated attendance: 72k.

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Carmina Burana + Agon: McCaw Hall, 7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

F R I. O C T 4

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Carmina Burana + Agon: McCaw Hall, 7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3K.

S A T. O C T 5

Washington VisionWalk: Magnuson Park. Fundraiser for sight-saving research. Event hours: 10:15 – 12 PM. Estimated attendance: 420.

R-Day: Outdoor community celebration of music, art and beer in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. Event will close Airport Way S. between 13th Ave. S. and Corson Ave. S. from 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM. Event hours are 4 – 11 PM. Estimated attendance: 5k.

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Carmina Burana + Agon: At McCaw Hall.,7:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

NF – The Search Tour: WaMu Theater. Show hours: 8 – 10 PM. Doors at 7 PM. Estimated attendance: 7k.

S U N. O C T 6

Tail of the Lake Regatta: Rowing event on Seattle’s Lake Union. Spectators can watch from Gas Works Park. Event hours: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 1.5k.

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Carmina Burana + Agon: McCaw Hall, 1 PM. Estimated attendance: 3k.

Double Tenth Flag Raising and Parade: Event to celebrate the national day of Republic of China Taiwan. Flag raising ceremony at Hing Hay Park followed by community parade. Event hours: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Estimated attendance: 400.

Seattle Sounders vs. Minnesota United FC: CenturyLink Field. Kickoff: 1 PM. Estimated attendance: 35k.

Safe Routes to School: Fall Mini Grants Application Now Open!

October 1, 2019 by Molly Wright

Our application for Safe Routes to School: Fall Mini Grants are now open! Apply by October 31 for up to $1,000 to fund projects that educate students about walking and biking to school. Public and private schools, parent-teacher associations, and other non-profit organizations are welcome to apply.

First, here’s a quick Safe Routes to School 101 pop quiz. 🤓

🍎 What is Safe Routes to School?

Safe Routes to School is a national movement to make it easier and safer for students to walk and bike to school. We use a combination of strategies: education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement, evaluation, and empowerment.

📏 What is the speed limit around a school zone?

20 mph!

📓 What is the speed limit on all residential streets?

All 2,400 miles of Seattle’s residential (non-arterial) streets are 20 MPH, which is the same speed limit as our school speed zones.

It’s time to apply for our Safe Routes to School: Fall Mini Grants!

These are grants that can be used to fund programs as schools, parent-teacher associations, and community groups to encourage safe walking and biking to school. All public and private K-12 schools and PTAs within the City of Seattle and other nonprofit groups can apply.

Funds can be used for a variety of programs, including (but not limited to): Walk and Bike to School Day events, the Walking School Bus Program, the Bike Train Program, the Bike Rodeo, the Student Safety Patrol, pedestrian crossing flags, intersection paintings, and more! It’s time to get creative – what do you want to use the grant for?

Bike Rodeo at Daniel Bagley School

Applying is as easy as ABC, 123! 🌟

Just fill out our simple application form and include a letter of support from the school principal. Email or mail your application to:

Seattle Department of Transportation
Attention: Ashley Rhead
P.O. Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996

ashley.rhead@seattle.gov

Completed applications are due October 31st, 2019 by 5 PM. Applicants will be notified of awards via email or by phone, and the funds will be distributed early 2020.

Lastly, let’s celebrate! 🕺 October 2 is International Walk to School Day.

International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. Registration to host an International Walk to School Day event is now open. While October 2 is the official focus day in 2019, you are welcome to celebrate International Walk to School Day any day in October!

Safe travels!

Healthy refreshments to encourage walking and biking to school

ORCA Comes to the Monorail: All Aboard!

September 30, 2019 by Niki Seligman

The ORCA Card program is robust, allowing folks to easily tap onto King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, the Seattle Streetcar, the King County Water Taxi, and Washington State Ferries. Now, Seattle Center Monorail will join the ORCA family in October!

Monorail will begin accepting ORCA starting Monday, October 7. Transit enthusiasts rejoice!

Here’s the story:

Monorail. Photo courtesy of Niki Seligman.

A study was conducted, at the request of Seattle City Councilmembers in 2014, to determine whether ORCA was a feasible fare option to implement on the Monorail.

Guess what: it was! Next steps? The process toward implementation.

Seattle Center Monorail is a public-private partnership between the city and Seattle Monorail Services (SMS). This meant that talks began between SMS and the City. Next came approval by the ORCA governing board and a partnership between the City of Seattle and King County Metro, who sponsors the Monorail’s participation in ORCA.

As part of Monorail accepting ORCA, changes will be made to fares.

The proposed fare change for adults is increasing from $2.50 to $3.00. Age classifications will also change to align with the seven regional transit agencies that are members of the ORCA system. All reduced fares will be $1.50 (youth, Regional Reduced Fare Program (RRFP) for seniors and people with disabilities, and ORCA LIFT).

What will this mean for your Monorail commute?

Seattle Center. Photo Credit: Scott Webb via Unsplash.

There are many benefits to using ORCA on the Monorail, including:

The ability to transfer from other forms of transit without paying for a new ticket;
The ease of using your ORCA card without having to dig through your wallet; and
Quick and easy access to a central hub.

When you arrive at the Monorail station, you’ll give your ORCA card to the Monorail cashier to pay your fare.

Squeeze Your Way Downtown

Seattle Ferris Wheel. Photo by Vincent Camacho, via Unsplash.

The Seattle Center Monorail has two stops, connecting you directly between the Seattle Center and downtown Seattle. Throughout the Seattle Squeeze, we are all working hard to reduce traffic on our streets as major infrastructure changes impact how we get around downtown.

Now, with tolling in the SR 99 tunnel beginning on November 9 which will bring more changes to traffic on our city streets in early November, the monorail’s direct connection in the heart of our city provides an opportunity to cut down on driving and save time on your commute.

Here’s what the Seattle Center had to say:

“We hope the ability to use ORCA on this vital link between Seattle Center and numerous downtown bus lines and Link Light Rail will result in greater transit use to our theaters, family destinations and other campus venues.”

The New Arena at Seattle Center is also excited about Monorail’s connection to the Arena!

“Transportation is a key priority for us to ensure our fans have a good experience getting to and from events at the New Arena at Seattle Center.

We are excited about the integration of ORCA on the Monorail. We expect Monorail will be a critical connection to get light rail riders (including our employees) to the New Arena at Seattle Center.”

History of the Monorail

Did your eyes glaze over at the word history? Wait, give us a chance! Transit history is not like the others…

The monorail was thought up in the early 19th century in Russia, and first implemented in London. The first US debut of the monorail was at the happiest place on earth – Disneyworld. Thanks, Walt Disney! Then, the monorail came to our very own city in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair.

Now, ORCA and the Seattle Center Monorail are teaming up to create the next chapter for this fun and convenient transit option.

For general information about the Monorail, see this FAQ (Our personal favorite question: Are dogs allowed on the Monorail? Answer: YES!)

Person carrying a backpack with two dogs inside.

Photo by SDOT.

For more information about ORCA implementation on the Monorail, click here.

SDOT Blog Department of Transportation

We’re a third of the way to our goal of 90 new blocks of red bus lanes by the end of 2020.

SDOT crews have added a total of 32 blocks of red bus lanes so far in 2019.

Lots more red lanes coming in 2020.

Red bus lanes are one of the many ways we invest in transit.

Westbound SR 520 in Seattle closed October 12-13

SR 99 tunnel closed October 11-14 for maintenance

Adjusting the northbound SR 99 bus-only lane on October 11-13

Link light rail closed between Capitol Hill and SODO Stations October 11-14

Don’t forget about events this weekend, too!

Sat. Oct 12

Sun.Oct 13

Travel safe and keep on #SeattleSqueeze-ing!

Why was the bus lane re-installed?

Here’s what you can expect:

Please plan ahead and prepare for impacts to travel.

Want more information?

Tues.Oct 8

Wed.Oct 9

Sat.Oct 12

Sun.Oct 13

Did you know we have a detailed inventory of the location, planted date, and types of trees along City rights-of-way?

Our comprehensive street tree inventory also provides valuable data for gauging the ecosystem services provided by our urban forest.

Trees are the lungs of our planet. They breathe in and store carbon dioxide while emitting pure oxygen.

You’re invited to take part in fighting climate change through stewardship of our urban forest. This upcoming Arbor Day, come plant a tree & celebrate.

Our SpokesSalmon, Sal, like all salmon who migrate, hates congested commutes.

We want you to show us how you #FlipYourTrip!

First, here’s a quick Safe Routes to School 101 pop quiz. 🤓

It’s time to apply for our Safe Routes to School: Fall Mini Grants!

Applying is as easy as ABC, 123! 🌟

Lastly, let’s celebrate! 🕺 October 2 is International Walk to School Day.

Safe travels!

Monorail will begin accepting ORCA starting Monday, October 7. Transit enthusiasts rejoice!

Here’s the story:

As part of Monorail accepting ORCA, changes will be made to fares.

What will this mean for your Monorail commute?

Squeeze Your Way Downtown

History of the Monorail