Beacon Ave S).

February 15, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

Progress on the Swift Avenue S / S Myrtle Street / S Othello Street Paving Project.

We’re making progress on Swift Avenue S / S Myrtle Street / S Othello Street Paving Project! Starting this Saturday, February 16, we will be completing our base repairs to support the new pavement. As a result, there will be closures on Swift Ave S and S Graham St for a couple of days.

Here’s what you can expect:

Schedule

On Saturday, February 16 from 7 AM to 5 PM crews will be demolishing concrete panels.

From 5 to 8 PM crews will prep the roadway for concrete.
From 8 PM to 2 AM crews will pour concrete.

On Sunday, February 17 from 2 AM to 3 PM the concrete on the roadway will be left to cure. From 3 PM to 6 AM on Monday, February 18 at 6 AM crews will overlay asphalt on the new concrete road panels.

Closure

The northbound lanes of Swift Ave S will be closed at Beacon Ave S. All lanes of S Graham St will be closed at Beacon Ave S. Local access will be maintained.

Noise

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

Detour

Traffic to I-5 will be detoured to Beacon Ave S and S Columbian Way. The I-5 off-ramp between S Graham St and S Eddy St will be right turn only.

Transit

Metro bus route 107 northbound will be closed for the weekend. For information on changes to King County Metro stops, please visit their website.

Want more information?

For more information on this project, please our project website.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the construction outreach team by emailing swiftmyrtleothello@seattle.gov or calling 206.256.5227.

Thank you for your patience while this is being completed!

SNOW & ICE IN SEATTLE — It takes a city!

February 5, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

Yep! We’re in for more snow.

Snow in Seattle – it doesn’t happen often, but when it does (“Yaaay – snow days!” said all the kids in Seattle), it can impact our transportation system and the way we all get around. In Seattle, some winters bring heavy snowfall and other years see no snow accumulation at all.

What’s up with our weather?

A weather phenomenon called the Puget Sound Convergence Zone causes some parts of the city to get inches of snow, while other parts get rain or even sun.

Visit the National Weather Service for the latest forecasts. Also, a heads up – cold temperatures and more snow are in the forecast for the rest of this week.

We might see more snow showers persisting through Monday with a 10-percent chance of snow Thursday evening, increasing to 50 percent chance Friday day with new snow accumulation of less than 1/2 inch.

We’re committed to working hard for you!

When winter weather brings precipitation and freezing temperatures, our team go on high alert. We commit to using all the tools possible to make sure the people of Seattle and our interagency partners are fully informed and involved in our snow response. If you’re curious about the work our crews have accomplished during this year’s winter weather like how:

We’ve developed a snow and ice response plan that’s made for Seattle’s weather to keep major streets open and passable to the greatest extent possible.
We plow major streets, which are the most important for getting to major institutions such as hospitals and schools; police, fire trucks, and buses; and streets leading to Seattle’s major employers. Read up on it in our recent blog post.
We work together with King County Metro to keep bus routes as clear of snow and ice as possible. The goal is to enable people to get around the city by bus, making it easier to leave your cars at home. Learn more on King County Metro’s Winter Weather page.

It takes a village city!

It really does take a city to help clear the way of snow and ice. Although we wish we can be omnipresent at all times, we rely on businesses and residents across Seattle to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice to make sure people can travel on sidewalks safely. If you can, please help a neighbor who might not be able to clear their sidewalks. Clearing snow before it turns to ice is best, and having a bag of street salt on hand is a good winter-preparedness move.

Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code calls on property owners and contractors to clear, clean, or repair the public right-of-way adjacent to their property.

Caring for sidewalks and other rights-of-way (ROW) next to private property is the responsibility of the property owner or contractor working at the adjacent job site. More information on property owners’ responsibilities can be found on our website.

Access for people walking and biking is a priority for us.

What about sidewalks on bridges, bike lanes, or other areas where there’s not an adjacent property owner?

Access for people walking and biking is a priority for us during our winter weather response efforts. Our crews will monitor and identify bike lanes and sidewalks on gold and emerald routes to ensure they are clear as providing access for emergency responders and freight and transit are our primary access. Other priorities include sidewalks and paths across bridges and bike lanes leading to and through downtown.

Let us know!

While our crews are out plowing, salting, and patrolling the city (around the clock) to identify trouble spots and treat them, if you’re noticing sidewalks on bridges, bike lanes, or other streets that need a bit of attention, please let us know through the Find It, Fix It app, by emailing 684-ROAD@seattle.gov, or by calling 206.684.ROAD.

We’ll let our crews know as they continue to patrol the city, and they’ll work to identify priority locations to get them addressed in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience as our crews perform this work across the city – it’s a big job!

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Our snow and ice crews continue on as more snow and ice returns tonight.

February 4, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

It’s cold, Seattle.

The forecast shows snow continuing throughout the night, especially after midnight. Expect about 1-2″ of snow accumulation with more at higher elevations in the city.

Many routes have a mix of conditions. Some lanes are bare and wet while some portions of all routes have compact snow and slush. As the temperature continues to drop and the pavement becomes colder, ice will form.

You need to prepare.

We will continue to work as expeditiously and hard for you to be safe and have accessible roads for our buses, first responders, and large employers. Please prepare for a potential icy commute. If possible, please avoid driving. Tomorrow will be another great day to flex those commute schedules if possible. Travel will be challenging for everyone – stay safe, stay alert, and plan ahead. Wear the appropriate cold weather clothing including hats, gloves, and boots.

If you need to drive:

Check out WSDOT’s traffic cameras to see current conditions on our major highways. Slow down, be patient, and leave lots of room for the car in front of you. Even if pavement appears to be bare, it can still be icy due to freezing conditions. Stick to major roads and check our Winter Weather Response map to see which roads have been plowed before you go.

Clear your windows, fill your gas tank, and check your tires to ensure your car is good to go BEFORE you leave. Bring the necessary gear, such as an ice scraper, a flashlight, tire chains, and water and snacks. Please obey “Street Closed” signs – they’re placed there for your safety and allow us and the Seattle Police Department to keep an eye on the situation.

PLEASE stay home if you can! If you can’t, here are some tips if you feel your vehicle starting to lose traction…
❄️Let off the gas
❄️Steer the direction you want your car to go
❄️Wait for your vehicle to gain traction
❄️GENTLY apply acceleration #ButForReal #StayHome

— Trooper Johnna Batiste (@wspd1pio) February 4, 2019

Lastly, be kind to one another. Look out for pedestrians and children playing in the snow. Give plow trucks and other road crews lots of room to work.

You’re responsible for outfitting your cars for winter weather, including chains or other traction devices. Remember, while snow is forecasted to taper off, temperatures will stay cold and streets have the potential to be slick.

If you’re riding transit:

King County Metro: Sign up for King County Metro alerts. Know your bus’s schedule by checking King County Metro’s Snow, Ice, & Flood Alerts page. More info and resources are available on their Metro Winter webpage.

Sound Transit: Sign up for Sound Transit’s Rider Alerts. Plan ahead by checking your bus and train schedule. More info is available on their Riding Transit in Winter webpage.

Follow us on Twitter for real-time traffic updates.

Follow SDOT, WSDOT, and King County Metro on Twitter for additional information throughout the day:

SDOT: @SDOTtraffic for real-time traffic updates.
King County Metro: @KCMetrobus.
WSDOT: @WSDOT_Traffic.
Sound Transit: @SoundTransit

Here’s our action plan:

We’ll continue running 12-hour snow and ice response shifts.
We’ll apply salt as needed to minimize ice formation with an emphasis on steeper routes and higher elevations.
We have begun planning for the next storm front expected Thursday/Friday.

It’s been about 36 hours since our crews hit the road.

Our crews started with pretreating the roadways before the snow fell with salt brine to prevent ice from forming. And as the snow fell overnight and throughout the morning, our crews continue to drive their routes, treating the roadway with salt where needed. At any time, you can check our interactive Winter Weather Map to see where we’ve plowed in the last 1-3 hours. You can also click on cameras to see road conditions.

We’ve had three dozen plow crews treating city streets. Our crews will continue to operate at full capacity over the next 48 hours.

The night snow and ice crews are already out.

Day Shift has taken over from night shift and now night shift has taken over for our day shift. New drivers are on the road to continue treating and plowing all routes through the night with a newly replenished supply of 500+ tons of salt for our 35+ plows. Drivers from Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation have partnered with us to help in this great effort.

For each 12-hour shift, there is 50-60 staff who have so far treated our surface streets with approximately 400 tons of salt. In addition, we have 15-30 hand crews clearing curb ramps for pedestrians.

Please help in this effort as good neighbors and remove the snow and ice from sidewalks in front of your property and if you can, help a neighbor who might not be able to clear their sidewalks.

Levels of snow & ice service.

In the last 36 hours, our crews have plowed routes at least three times.

Gold snow routes:

These are streets of regional importance for hospitals, buses, large trucks, and major employers. SDOT’s objective is to provide bare and wet pavement over all travel lanes within 12 hours of a significant lull in the storm.

Emerald snow routes:

These are streets of citywide importance for hospitals, buses, and general traffic. SDOT’s objective is to provide bare and wet pavement for one lane in each direction within 12 hours of a significant lull in the storm.

As the snow continues throughout the night, we’d like to thank our city-wide crews.

They’ve been working around the clock in the freezing temperatures since yesterday. As a collective whole, we’d like to send them loads of love, appreciation, and safety as they continue to clear the roadways for our city. Thank you – thank you to our knockout crews! We truly have the best.

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WE’RE READY: The coldest air of the season arrives this Sunday w/a chance for snow.

February 1, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

SDOT snow plows

We might finally see some snow this weekend.

Does anyone else think that winter has been a month off this season? Starting this Sunday, February 3 until the middle of next week, we’re expected to have the coldest air of the season. Here’s what the National Weather Service is predicting:

SATURDAY: 🌦️ Lingering shower.

SUNDAY: 🌨️/🌧️ Scattered showers, some snow may mix in, north of Seattle. There’s a potential for snow showers in all areas Sunday night.

MONDAY: 🌨️ Chance of snow showers, mainly during the morning hours, Seattle south.

We’ve prepared our snow and ice equipment & the plans are set – we’re ready!

Salt – winter weather preparations

We’ve been monitoring conditions and following weather reports and do so around the clock/ 24-hours a day all year long with a direct line to the National Weather Service and live Doppler radar feeds.

Our crews will go on 12-hour shifts beginning Sunday, February 3, at noon. We’ll have about 33 trucks per shift pretreating the roadways.

Loader pours salt into the back of an SDOT truck.

Our commitment:

SDOT snow and ice team

Our goal is to achieve bare and wet pavement on snow and ice routes within 12 hours after a significant lull in the storm.

We commit to using all the tools at our disposal to make sure the people of Seattle and our interagency partners are fully informed and involved in our snow response. We work together with Metro to keep bus routes as clear of snow and ice as possible. The goal is to enable people to get around the city by bus, making it easier to leave their cars at home.

We plow the busiest streets that connect Seattle’s neighborhoods and the greater Puget Sound region. These are routes to hospitals, schools, and major employers but also streets that are frequently used by first responders and buses.

Plan your trip + some safety tips.

During major winter storms, plan your trip by seeing where the snow plows have been and viewing traffic cameras. View the interactive Winter Weather Response Map

Know the routes on the Winter Weather snow and ice route map.

✔️ Drivers

If you need to drive, please take extra care when traveling, and if possible avoid commuting in the snow. Drivers have some special responsibilities. If driving is unavoidable, you’re responsible for outfitting your cars for winter weather, including chains or other traction devices.

✔️ Safety

Look out for each other. If you’re driving, be extra mindful of pedestrians and people biking. If you’re walking or biking, make sure you can see and be seen. We have safety lights if you need any! Let us know. Drivers, be sure to turn your headlights on.

✔️ Trains, buses, & ferries

If you are plan on using the bus, train, or ferry, know before you go:

See the latest information on Metro’s blog. They’ll keep their eye on the King County Metro Transit commute from 6-9 AM and again from 3-7 PM and will post about service disruptions.
Follow Metro’s RSS feed for real-time updates, bookmark their blog, or visit the Metro Online website for additional information and services.
If you take the train, find Sound Transit alerts and information here.
For Ferry info, please visit Washington State Ferries’ Travel Alert Bulletins, Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry, and/or WSDOT’s ferries site regarding your ferry commute.

You can also follow:

King County Metro on Twitter.
Washington State Ferries on Twitter.

✔️ Outages

If you notice a downed power line, DO NOT touch or approach it. Please report downed wires or outages to Seattle City Light at 206.684.7400. Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out. When traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. You can also stay connected, even when the power is out by downloading Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) mobile app, to track and report power outages in your neighborhood and check status and estimated restoration times, all in the palm of your hand. Follow PSE on Twitter.

✔️ Fallen trees or branches

If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206.386.1218.

✔️ Park facilities

Park programs and facilities may be affected. Please check the @SeattleParks Twitter channel, blog, and/or website.

✔️ Winter storm planning

For information on planning for the winter storm season, like what you should include in your emergency preparedness kit, check out Take Winter By Storm, our multi-agency preparedness site. For the latest emergency notifications, sign up for Alert Seattle to get alerts via text, tweet, and more. You can also follow the National Weather Service Seattle’s Twitter.

Learn about our Winter Weather Response.

Check out our Winter Weather Response webpage for a winter weather response map, winter weather brochure, and snow route map. Learn about our winter environment and what to expect if it snows.

We’re ready!

Meet Sam, SDOT’s new director!

February 1, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

Welcome, Sam!

Monday marked the first day on the job for SDOT’s new director, Sam Zimbabwe. Here’s a snip from his first email to the City team:

Thank you for welcoming me so enthusiastically to Seattle! I can’t express what an honor it is to be a part of this internationally recognized transportation agency and have the opportunity to work with all of you. Seattle is one of the coolest cities in America and one of the best places to live, work, play, and travel. Thanks to SDOT’s commitment to a strong mission and to your remarkable achievements, all eyes look to Seattle as a transportation leader.

– Sam Zimbabwe

The entire City transportation team is thrilled to welcome Sam and eagerly anticipates his leadership in advancing our mission of delivering a high-quality transportation system for Seattle. Since Mayor Jenny Durkan announced his selection in December, we’ve been excited to get to know him. Sam is learning quickly and has been enthusiastically meeting staff, learning about key projects and programs, and helping us plan future priorities.

He’s a multimodal leader for all.

Sam comes to SDOT from Washington, DC, where he served in senior management positions at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for the past 7 years, first as the Associate Director for Policy, Planning & Sustainability. He moved on to become DDOT’s first Chief Project Delivery Officer, responsible for transportation planning, capital project design and construction, traffic engineering and signals, and transit service delivery.

Prior to joining DDOT, Sam was the Director of the Center for Transit-Oriented Development, a national nonprofit partnership dedicated to leveraging transit investments to preserve and create equitable communities.

Sam also has a background in urban design and transportation planning and spent five years working for urban design and architecture firms in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sam holds a master’s degree in City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Cornell University.

He’s a quick study.

Sam will absorb an enormous amount of information in the next several weeks as he learns about Seattle. He’ll be getting to know staff throughout the organization as he meets with City teams and departments over the next month to get an overview of SDOT’s work program. He’ll also be meeting with residents and businesses to understand their multimodal transportation challenges.

TO Team SDOT: Your contributions to helping me get up to speed will be invaluable. I deeply appreciate all the time and energy staff have already contributed—and will continue to dedicate—to help me get the lay of the land so that I might lead the department in a manner that will make you and Seattle proud. – Sam Zimbabwe

Sam is committed to fulfilling the SDOT mission.

Sam is committed to fulfilling the mission of delivering a high-quality transportation system. In his first year as a director, his goals for himself and SDOT can be captured in six broad areas:

Getting to know Seattle.

Sam plans to immerse himself in the city and get to know it well by hearing from residents, modal boards, community groups, and other stakeholders – and by learning about the past as much as about plans for the future.

Getting to know SDOT.

Sam plans to get to know the agency from top to bottom while he works to identify any additional changes necessary to ensure we can meet Levy and ongoing program commitments.

Maintaining downtown mobility.

The Seattle Squeeze is well underway with the permanent closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Sam understands this is one of many changes we’ll face with respect to moving in and around downtown Seattle over the next few years. While we’ve now operationalized plans to mitigate traffic impacts, Sam will also work over the next year to make sure we’re doing all we can to provide safe, efficient, affordable options for today while continuing to create a mobility framework for the future.

Delivering on Levy and other capital project commitments.

We have more major capital investments underway than at any time in SDOT’s history, including the Move Seattle commitments and the Center City Connector Streetcar. Sam understands the challenges these projects have faced. Over the next year, we’ll need to follow through on our promise for more openness and transparency as we continue building the public’s trust in our ability to deliver projects, large and small.

Working with partner agencies to continue improving transit in Seattle.

The next year will see some critical decisions for how Seattle and the region invest in public transportation. Seattle’s success is tied to public transportation, and this region is building, operating, and riding transit in ways the rest of the country envies.

Sam knows that working collaboratively with partners will be essential as we determine the ST3 Locally Preferred Alternatives and the future of the Seattle Transportation Benefit District. We’ll also be working through the upcoming changes from the ST2 light rail buildout while continuing to shape how people interact with our public transportation system on a daily basis.

Improving our delivery of the basics.

SDOT is fundamentally a service delivery organization. While we’re building for the future, we must also deliver on the present day-to-day needs of Seattle residents and visitors to get around the city safely and efficiently. Over the next year, Sam plans to understand where we are performing well, where we need to improve, and what changes are necessary to strengthen our delivery of services and our capacity to maintain, improve, and safely operate today’s system.

Zimbabwe – a strong foundation of stone.

Did you know that Zimbabwe derives from the Shona name for an ancient town believed to mean “large houses of stone?” Great Zimbabwe was such an important part of its national identity that the country in southern Africa was named for the historic town. Obviously, Zimbabwe is also Sam’s last name; when he and his wife got married they combined the beginnings of each of their four family surnames to form the name “Zimbabwe” — and thereby established their new home and family on a “strong foundation of stone.” Sam looks to bring the same foundation to SDOT as we work together to build the city of the future.

Welcome to SDOT, Sam!

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#GoodbyeViaduct – Hello, SR #99Tunnel! Here’s what you need to know.

January 29, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

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

2 weeks down, 1 to go until the new SR #99Tunnel opens!

We’re almost there! Crews are completing the final work needed to realign the SR 99 highway into the new tunnel below downtown Seattle. We’re so grateful to everyone who changed their commute during this time – these two weeks have proved that when we work together, we can keep traffic volumes low and spirits high. (We don’t want you to stop using the #MyCommuteWasAwesome hashtag, by the way! If you can continue to change your commute, please do.) Keep it up – we’re almost there.

Heading into the light. Photo from 2014 courtesy of WSDOT.

However, it’s not “back to normal” when the #99tunnel opens.

Instead of getting right back on the Alaskan Way Viaduct with downtown exits and Belltown and SODO entrances, we’ll be driving through the new SR 99 tunnel straight from the stadiums to the Space Needle. This is going to be different, especially for folks in the SODO and South Lake Union neighborhoods, where the tunnel’s north and south portals will transfer drivers to Seattle’s surface streets. It’s time to get ready.

What do you need to know?

Traffic patterns will change again, as travelers get used to these changes and their new routes. This will affect everyone who travels to and through downtown Seattle, even if you’re not using the tunnel!

Duration: approximately 1-2 weeks. Tunnel is open, single NB off-ramp near stadiums still closed. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.

Tunnel entrances & exits have changed.

The tunnel entrances and exits are in South Lake Union and SODO, which is different than how travelers used to access the viaduct. We’re expecting more vehicles in these areas near the new tunnel portals and fewer vehicles in the parts of downtown which no longer connect to SR 99 (such as Seneca and Columbia streets).

Watch the ‘how to’ navigate the new tunnel videos.

WSDOT’s website for the new SR 99 tunnel, www.99tunnel.com, is your best resource for learning all about the new tunnel. Watch these videos that show you how to use the new tunnel and how connections to downtown will be different. (Videos also available in Spanish and Chinese – Mandarin and Cantonese.) Check it out!

Know about construction still underway.

When the tunnel opens, a key connection to downtown – the northbound off-ramp to Alaskan Way/downtown near the stadiums – will still be under construction. Travelers going northbound toward downtown will either need to choose another route or plan to drive through the tunnel to South Lake Union.

What is the City doing?

TOC – Transportation Operations Center

Just like the #Realign99 highway closure, we’ve been planning and preparing for the #99Tunnel opening for a long time. We’re here to make sure our transportation system functions well in order to keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently.

Our Transportation Operations Center (TOC) staff are working 24/7 to monitor our transportation system.

Tracking traffic patterns.

We’re tracking traffic patterns through signal technology to move as many people as safely and as quickly as possible through busy intersections.

24/7 Transportation Operations Center continues.

Our Transportation Operations Center (TOC) will continue to operate 24/7 to monitor traffic across the city and implement changes as needed. If incidents arise, they work with our partner agencies at WSDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle, Seattle Police Department, and Seattle Fire Department to ensure a coordinated and rapid response to clear the situation quickly and safely.

Dynamic messaging signs on key streets.

We use dynamic messaging signs (DMS) on key streets in and around downtown to alert travelers of immediate concerns and provide notice in case incidents arise and alternative routes are needed.

Don’t worry – we’re in this together!

We’ll be releasing more information about how to get around when the tunnel opens later this week, and our friends at WSDOT are providing updates on their website and social media as well. Now’s the time to prepare. Make a plan, know your route, and if you can, keep up those alternate commutes! Taking alternate modes of transportation or shifting your commute times will continue to be great travel options even after the tunnel opens.

This is just the beginning.

Keep it up, Seattle – we’re truly making lemonade from lemons!

Stay tuned for more information about using the tunnel, navigating to and from the tunnel’s north and south portals, and the City’s response to these changing traffic patterns. For now, plan ahead, visit www.99tunnel.com, and keep on keepin’ on – you’re doing great!

Keep up with all things #SeattleSqueeze. Visit our website!

THANK YOU, SEATTLE! Here’s a #SeattleSqueeze playlist just for you!

January 22, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

One week of changing your commute: COMPLETE!

We’re almost half way through the #Realign99 closure before the new SR 99 tunnel opens in February, and we want to extend a tubular tunnel THANK YOU, Seattle, for doing your part to keep things moving.

Over this last week, you’ve switched work schedules or days, rearranged your daily routine, started commuting via carpool or bus or bike, and you certainly all practiced patience.

…

Just like an 80’s mixtape.

Seattle, this playlist is supported by your’s truly: SDOT and the Office of Film and Music and celebrates our music industry and the people who live, work, shop and play in Seattle!

As a thank you for your efforts over the last week, we present to you, DJ Sharlese Metcalf’s #SeattleSqueeze Spotify playlist!

Curated by KEXP’s DJ Sharlese Metcalf, the diverse playlist highlights local artists, past and present, and showcases the Northwest’s range of musical talent. Metcalf currently serves as a member of the Seattle Music Commission, advising the City of Seattle on policy and issues important to Seattle’s music industry.

…

Keep on Squeez’n Seattle!

As we say hello to the new SR 99 tunnel, take the opportunity to get to know some local artists and queue up this playlist for your commute! Thanks again, Seattle, and keep squeezing. Listen to the #SeattleSqueeze playlist on Spotify here!

For all things #SeattleSqueeze, visit our website!

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Here are the #SeattleSqueeze numbers you’ve been waiting for.

January 18, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

WSDOT Photo: View from the new SR 99 off-ramp near the stadiums.

One week down, Seattle.

We made it through our first week of the #SeattleSqueeze and the #Realign99 closure.

We’re making history and we think it’s important that you know this – that you, we, us, we’re all part of this epic Seattle transportation story. And whilst you’re sitting on the brand new Seattle waterfront in all its seaside people-watching glory, you’ll start to tell stories about the days when Seattle had a viaduct along the waterfront and how we, as a region, worked together to get through one of the longest closures of a major highway.

…

We’re still going!

Remember: keep up your new commutes! We still have over two weeks until the new SR 99 tunnel opens, and it is going to take everyone’s help to change your transportation habits so that we keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently during the Seattle Squeeze.

…

We’ve rallied. We’ve changed how we travel.

Many of us who travel to and from downtown Seattle made small to large changes that have resulted in some seriously incredible travel numbers. While many are taking to walking, biking, taking transit/ferries, and sharing rides, others who were able to worked away from their offices. All of our collective actions resulted in these fascinating numbers that we’re about to share with you.

Helping you get through this era of tough traffic are many people taking action behind the scenes. These are your City leaders and departments and partnering agencies and organizations who vigorously planned, anticipated, and are working together to create a unified transportation system that gets you where you need to go safely and efficiently at all times. As you read this, there are countless men and women working around the clock – many even while you sleep – to make sure the transportation system is moving.

…

Now, here are the stats.

What you’ve been waiting for: here are the latest transportation stats from the first week of the #SeattleSqueeze.

…

Seattle Department of Transportation

. BIKING .

The following bike counts reflect Saturday, January 12 to Wednesday, January 16. We took a look at our numbers from this time last year in 2018 and compared them to our numbers for 2019, and we’ve seen ridership numbers increase across the board! Please note that we are comparing this year’s Monday to last year’s Monday, which fell on Martin Luther King Jr Day, a major national holiday.

2nd Avenue

Fremont Bridge

Spokane Street Bridge

Thanks to everyone who is choosing to commute by bike during the #Realign99 closure. Keep it up!

Read our blog post about biking during the SR 99 closure here!

. BIKE SHARE .

Bike share is a popular option during the SR 99 closure!

Jump has expanded to over 800 available bikes as of today! Since launching in November 2018, they’ve seen an increase in weekly ridership, with over 2,600 rides during their first week of service and over 3,000 rides in the first week of January. Jump has expanded to cover all of West Seattle and South Seattle, and it is waiving the $1 unlock fee between January 11 and February 15.

Lime is expanding as well – they had over 4,500 bikes available as of today! Lime continues to cover all of Seattle and, starting January 9, has been offering $1 off all rides beginning in West Seattle with the promo code PMCLIME.

. MYTRIPS .

Curious about what City employees are doing to squeeeeeeze? Our City leaders are leading the way by creating alternative work guidelines and a telecommuting pilot for employees during the #Realign99 closure.

Over 56 percent of City employees and about 80 percent of our team who are located downtown have logged into MyTrips, the City’s commute tracking software. 15 percent of all employees are recording trips to the MyTrips Commute Calendar in January, up from 11 percent in November – December 2018. We’re working hard, just like you, to shift our commutes to keep traffic moving downtown!

…

WA State Department of Transportation

Read WSDOT’s Blog on their Alaskan Way Viaduct project website for the latest updates on the #Realign99 closure.

Follow WSDOT on Facebook and Twitter for the latest construction news!

…

King County Metro

Read King County Metro’s Blog, Metro Matters, for the latest updates on ridership numbers on King County Metro buses, water taxi, and carpool/vanpool users.

You can also follow King Country Metro on Facebook and Twitter!

…

Sound Transit

Read Sound Transit’s Blog, The Platform, for the latest updates on ridership numbers on Sound Transit buses, Link Light Rail, and Sounder Trains.

You can also follow Sound Transit on Facebook and Twitter!

…

Community Transit

Read Community Transit’s News Releases for the latest updates on ridership numbers on Snohomish County transit.

You can also follow Community Transit on Twitter or on their Community Transit Blog!

…

Want more info?

For information, tools, current traffic, and resources for all things #SeattleSqueeze, visit our website!

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WEEKEND EVENTS: #SeattleSqueeze Edition

January 17, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

Keyon Wilford Jr., 4, from Seattle, marched (with two signs) along with his grandmother. (Photo courtesy Neal McNamara/Patch) | https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/

It’s Friday eve and we wanted to give you an early heads up, as the second weekend of the #SeattleSqueeze nears. A couple large-scale events to be aware of – Womxn’s March and the 37^th Annual MLK Day Rally and March, plus some smaller ones that may impact commutes, including the YG Stay Dangerous Tour at WaMu Theater – despite that awesome title, we always advise people to stay safe. As we head into the holiday weekend, remember to plan ahead and please pack your patience as you get around town.

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Westlake March & WaMu Theater Concert

Friday, January 18

Afternoon rally + march at Westlake Park (2-4 PM) – rally and march related to a previous officer shooting. Expect about 250 potential attendees. March route from Westlake Park to the Federal Courthouse via 4th –> Virginia –> 7th –> Stewart, and rally at the Federal Building.

YG Stay Dangerous Tour at WaMu Theater begins at 8 PM and should end by 11:30 PM. They’re estimating 7,000 concertgoers.

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Womxn’s March on Seattle

Saturday, January 19

Image via KUOW’s Joshua McNichol’s, 2017 Womxn’s March

. Schedule .

9 AM Rally at Cal Anderson Park, followed by a march to Seattle Center

9:45 AM March to Seattle Center begins

11:30 AM Program and panels begin at Seattle Center

With the Squeeze in mind, event organizers have coordinated with city and county staff, as well as local businesses, to minimize the pain without lessening the impact of the march’s message. The rally will start earlier and be shorter than in the past.

Organizers are encouraging participants to arrive at Cal Anderson before 9 AM and to be prepared for a longer commute given the viaduct closure and the expected attendance (35,000 – 45,000 people). The event should wrap up by 1:30 PM. Organizers have created this Google map to show the 2.2-mile route from Capitol Hill through downtown to Seattle Center.

Image via Google Maps

. Street Closures .

Fully closed: Pine St from Broadway to 5^th Ave.

Rolling closure (as the march moves through) of 4^th Ave to Cedar, 5^th Ave, Harrison St, and Seattle Center.

Heads up, uniformed police officers will be at 4^th and Battery and 4^th and Stewart to accommodate any emergency responses.

. Getting There .

Take transit – light rail will drop you off at Cal Anderson!

Rideshare – use the designated drop-off zone on 12^th Ave between Olive and Howell.

Accessibility – an accessible drop-off location will be at the SW corner of Pine and Nagle Pl until 8:30 AM.

Check out all the event details at www.seattlewomxnmarchingforward.org.

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Annual MLK Day Rally + March

Monday, January 21

Image credit: Seattle Times, from 2018 MLK Day March

The 37^th Annual MLK Day Rally and March event starts off with a series of workshops and speakers at Garfield High School focused on the goals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr – defeating racism, poverty, and war. Yes. Yes. Yes.

. Activities .

9:30 – 10:50 AM Workshops at Garfield High School.

11 AM – 12:30 PM Rally in the gym.

12:30 PM March departs Garfield High School and heads to Westlake Park.

1:30 PM Rally at Westlake, followed by a community meal.

The march will go along 23^rd Ave, turning west at Union, north on 12^th Ave, then west on Pine, ending at Westlake Park.

If you’re planning to participate, plan ahead and consider carpooling, ridesharing, or taking transit – Metro routes 3, 4, and 48 will get you right to Garfield!

For more details, head to www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/.

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City offices closed on Monday

Monday is a national holiday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While city offices will be closed, our Transportation Operations Center will be staffed and running to monitor the Squeeze. On-street parking will be free on Monday.

For all things #SeattleSqueeze, don’t forget to check out our website.

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TOP 6 things you can do to avoid #SeattleSqueeze traffic.

January 16, 2019 by Jeanne Clark

We’re day six in the #Realign99 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and here’s how traffic has been:

Friday: meh, great final drive and fireworks . . .
Monday: not totally unbearable.
Tuesday: much worse than Monday.
Wednesday: worse than Tuesday.
Thursday: who knows? But you can make help make a difference.

Over the next three weeks or so, the City of Seattle and the region will continue to feel the effects of the Alaska Way Viaduct. This major connection of the State Route 99, which served as a trusted daily route through the City of Seattle for millions since 1954 is gone forever (insert tear), as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s work to #Realign99.

As we await the opening of the brand-new tunnel, the traveling public still needs to travel but more conservatively. For now, the best way to maintain Seattle’s transportation system and traffic flow is by reducing the number of vehicles on the road in downtown Seattle.

Now for some us, this is an easy fix. But for others, work, family, health, and other life circumstances simply won’t allow for such an adjustment, which is why those who can must do their part to help maintain traffic flow and be a good neighbor to fellow Seattleites and King County neighbors who must hit the road each day, with no exceptions.

TOP 6 List

“Things you can do to avoid traffic, plus help those who can’t.”

1. Be an Early Bird: Leave home early. Consider leaving at least an hour earlier during the morning commute.

2. Be a homebody: Work from home. If your employer is amenable, give it a go.

3. Get in Earlier or Later: Alter your work schedule. Check with your employer to see if you can arrive to work earlier and so you can leave earlier. Or the opposite. Schedule that happy hour with friends!

4. Travel in a group: Carpool with friends and neighbors. Organize a group going in the same direction during the week to take one vehicle. We have a list of bike and car share and carpool partners on our website.

Image by Waze Carpool via http://bit.ly/2QOxekp

5. Be multimodal: The possibilities are endless. Map out various ways to get there with a combination of walking to public transit, biking to public transit, park and ride and maybe reverse it all in the right order and transportation mode that works for you.

6. Take a post-holiday vacation. You deserve it!

For more tips and tools, visit our website!

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SDOT Blog Department of Transportation