Transportation

King Co. Metro urges lawmakers to pass transpo funding package

Ashley Gross — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:37:29 +0000

Even if you don’t ride the bus, you may feel the brunt of possible service cuts by King County Metro as roads get more crowded with cars. That’s one of the messages leaders of King County Metro told the Seattle City Council.

They’re urging the state Legislature to pass a transportation revenue package in the special session that starts in several weeks.

Metro warns of major cuts to bus service unless lawmakers act

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:11:39 +0000

Facing a $75 million shortfall, Metro Transit says it will have to slash its bus service by 17 percent next fall unless the Legislature intervenes.

Costs said to hamper staffing fixes aboard Washington ferries

Gabriel Spitzer — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Washington ferry officials blame budget cuts and new rules for Monday’s cancelations, but workers say that kind of disruption could be avoided.

It didn't take much: A crew member called in sick around midnight. A captain took a vacation but still wound up on the schedule. Those routine staffing hiccups resulted in four canceled ferry runs Monday, stranding hundreds of passengers.

Inslee: Transportation package a must for 2013

The Associated Press — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:10:07 +0000

Gov. Jay Inslee says that passing a transportation funding package this year must be a priority for the Legislature.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Inslee said he is concerned that momentum for passing such a plan has been dissipating.

Local leaders to state: Let us tax ourselves for transportation

Gabriel Spitzer — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:34:36 +0000

Local leaders from across King County want to tax themselves to pay for bus service, ferries, roads and bridges, but even local measures would need approval from the state.

The coalition, which includes the mayor of Seattle and more than 40 other cities, want to be able to tack on fees to car tab renewals and vehicle transfers, among others. That requires approval from state legislators.

King County Executive Dow Constantine said local governments should be free to invest in their own infrastructure.

WSDOT admits big mistakes on 520 pontoons

Bellamy Pailthorp — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:04:37 +0000

Big mistakes were made by the State Department of Transportation in its construction of the pontoons that will hold up the new 520 bridge across Lake Washington.

The agency says it is making repairs and design modifications to ensure the bridge will last the full 75 year lifespan promised.

Should Washington motorists pay by the miles to drive?

The Associated Press — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:32:58 +0000

Washington state transportation officials are exploring whether to charge drivers by the mile to use state highway and roads.

A steering committee of transportation experts recently concluded it's feasible to move the state away from gasoline taxes to a "pay as you go" road fee system.

Mudslides continue to plague rail traffic north of Seattle

The Associated Press and Bellamy Pailthorp — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:11:39 +0000

Mudslides continue to shut down train tracks, and halt passenger rail traffic north of Seattle.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas says tracks between Seattle and Everett have been shut down for passenger trains 95 percent of the time since Thanksgiving.

San Fran’s popular Sidecar is the latest ridesharing app for Seattle

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Did you get stuck in traffic during the Thanksgiving weekend? Or: worry about your kids getting dicey rides home from holiday parties?

Seattle's free-ride zone is ending; 'funeral' is set for Friday

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:44:54 +0000

A cultural shift is taking place in Seattle. It’s the elimination of a free-ride zone downtown, for bus riders.

It’s been in place for four decades. And on Friday (Sept. 28) it will go away.

Computer troubles freeze United Airlines' system, bringing a cascade of delays

Bill Chappell — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:02:47 +0000

Many travelers using United Airlines faced delays Tuesday, but they weren't connected to Hurricane Isaac. Instead, the airline's computer network crashed, leaving large parts of its system paralyzed Tuesday afternoon.

First noted around 2:15 p.m. EDT, the problems persisted until about 6:30 p.m.

Seattle traffic choke point at Mercer changing this weekend

The Associated Press — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:43:19 +0000

A major Seattle traffic choke point is poised to make a dramatic change this weekend. But officials don't expect the soon-to-be two-way Mercer Street will improve the afternoon commute out of downtown. As of Monday, Mercer Street will carry two-way traffic for the first time since 1968. But The Seattle Times (http://is.gd/hfCJgX ) reports much more work remains to be done in the neighborhood. Automobile congestion eastbound toward I-5 isn't expected to improve much on the thoroughfare called "the Mercer mess" by commuters.

Fallen tree blocks highway at Lake Forest Park

The Associated Press — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:37:15 +0000

LAKE FOREST PARK, Wash. — The state Transportation Department says crews hope to reopen Highway 522 at Lake Forest Park late Thursday morning. Workers are removing a large tree that fell across the highway about 3 a.m. and also brought down power lines. Seattle City Light said more than 4,500 customers in Lake Forest Park and Shoreline lost power. Highway 522 is a major Seattle commuter route around the north end of Lake Washington. Traffic was detoured to Ballinger Way and NE 145th Street.

Smashed windshield a sign of Washington's troubled roadways

Jake Ellison, Lindsay Lowe and Evan Hoover — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:29:20 +0000

When a chunk of I-5 flew up and smashed through the windshield of a car carrying a family of four, the dangers of Washington's crumbling roadways became all too real.

"The rock hit me so hard in the chest, it literally took my breath away," Henry Jessop, who was in the passenger seat, told KOMO. His son Ian and his daughter were in the back seat, and his wife was behind the wheel.

Officials break ground on Seattle's deep-bore tunnel

Ashley Gross — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:21:15 +0000

The long goodbye to Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct has begun.

With some ceremonial scoops of dirt, officials today began digging a pit for the giant machine that will chew up the earth under Seattle like a massive termite creating the deep-bore tunnel.