Category Archives: Rail

Seattle’s Transit Tunnel Is About To Get Busier

Early Saturday morning I had the opportunity to participate in a simulation of bus and light rail service in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT). The DSTT is unique among transit systems, with both buses and trains sharing the roadway … Continue reading

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More Streetcars, Please

Seattle is an era of streetcar expansion, which is good news for commuters, businesses, and transit enthusiasts alike. In an update to an earlier post, on Monday the Seattle City Council approved further study and pursuit of federal funding for … Continue reading

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The Vision for Seattle’s Waterfront

On Tuesday night Friends of Waterfront Seattle hosted an event with landscape architect James Corner, of High Line and Fresh Kills fame, on the continuing redesign of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. With replacement of the viaduct at a standstill and a … Continue reading

Posted in Biking, Buses, Ferries, Government, Land Use, Landscape, Megaprojects, Parking, Parks, Public Art, Public Space, Rail, Roads, Sustainability, Transportation, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Murray Sees Progress Ahead for Seattle

Newly elected Seattle Mayor Ed Murray delivered his first State of the City address Tuesday afternoon in a packed chamber at City Hall. He highlighted the pride and spirit of community that is embodied in Seattlites, and also went over … Continue reading

Posted in Biking, Buses, Climate, Demographics, Government, Housing, Policy, Rail, Roads, Schools, Sustainability, Transportation, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Regional Light Rail Undergoing Expansion

With increasing ridership and voter support, regional transportation agency Sound Transit is expanding its services throughout the Puget Sound area. Formed in 1996 with the approval of King, Pierce, and Snohomish county voters amidst increasing traffic congestion, ST operates now … Continue reading

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Problems on SR-520 Floating Bridge Causing Delays, Cost Overruns

The project to replace the Governor Albert D. Rosellini/Evergreen Point Bridge, the world’s longest floating bridge, is facing costly delays due to design and construction problems by WSDOT and contractor Kiewit. Now due to open a year and a half … Continue reading

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New Columbia River Bridge Project Cancelled

The Columbia River Crossing, a joint venture between the Washington and Oregon departments of transportation, was recently cancelled. The project would have replaced the pair of Interstate 5 bridges, built in 1917 and and 1958, rebuilt several highway interchanges north … Continue reading

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Seattle Waterfront Plan Remains Car-Centric

The Alaskan Way Viaduct in downtown Seattle, a concrete double-decker relic of the 1950s highway boom, was slated for removal after damage from the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The WSDOT, in partnership with the City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, and … Continue reading

Posted in Biking, Buses, Editorial, Government, Land Use, Landscape, Parks, Rail, Roads, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

New Job, New Commute

Although I’ve been traveling to Seattle frequently this summer, today was special because it included my first full day at a new job. I am in a part-time student position at University of Washington Commuter Services, and my job is … Continue reading

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Proposed Coal Terminals Meet Opposition

Energy companies’ plans to export coal to Asia is at the heart of an ongoing debate in the Pacific Northwest, with proposed shipping terminals and coal trains prompting a public outcry that pits environmental concerns against economic interests.

Posted in Climate, Energy, Government, Rail, Roads | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments