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Mon Oct 12 06:25:45 UTC 2009

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September 3rd, 2009

>From a whole world of interesting questions that folks have been asking
since we launched the SDOT blog in July. 

Have you ever wondered how to change a street name, how SDOT decides which
streets to repave next, who owns the sidewalks or how traffic signal timing
works with the new Sound Transit light rail train? It’s all here, plus much
more! 
 No Comments » |  Bikes, Freight, General, Parking, Peds, Transit |
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Sharing the Road & Protecting the Environment
September 1st, 2009

Pedestrian, bike and transit improvements in the Pine-Pike area are wrapping
up, with a design that’s good for the environment.   The natural drainage
approach created new bus passenger load zones using Roman pavers – cast
concrete blocks tumbled to soften their edges.  Crews tore up the old
impervious surface and instead placed the blocks, as you might for a
backyard patio, which allow water to seep through into the ground.  The
pavers are also placed at a slight angle to funnel excess rain water into
the tree pits (rather than letting run-off push out to Puget Sound).

Bus Bulbs at Pike/Pine
Tinted pavers also create a visual separation between the sidewalk and the
road where bus riders wait for mass transit. Add to that the new bike lanes
and markings, new sidewalk on the Pine Street Bridge over I-5, new bike
racks, plus Pike Street signal improvements and sharing the space just got a
lot easier.

Tinted Pavers Used in the Pike/Pine Area
 No Comments » |  Bikes, General, Peds, Transit |  Permalink 
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A Shiny New Concrete Panel!
August 27th, 2009

When SDOT reconstructs and paves a roadway, why don’t they always replace
all of the concrete panels?  Which ones are the lucky winners and why? 

Concrete Panels on 2nd and Yesler
Basically, we replace the panels that are damaged and keep those with
remaining functional life.  This may appear odd because some of the panels
kept have cracks.  Not to worry.  All concrete eventually cracks but it’s
how the cracking is controlled that matters.  As engineers nationwide have
become more sophisticated in their understanding of concrete paving, we have
learned that smaller panels age better than larger panels.  For large pieces
of concrete, the concrete literally wants to be in smaller pieces and will
establish its own joints, often at regularly spaced intervals.  Knowing
this, engineers now plan for this.  As long as the crack doesn’t propagate
or cause one side of the panel to shift or settle in relation to another,
the concrete panel has valuable functional life left.
 No Comments » |  Bikes, Freight, General, Peds, Transit |  Permalink 
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Change Your Commute and Get a Reward
August 21st, 2009

We received a question from one of our readers inquiring about tax
incentives for local businesses that encourage their employees to use mass
transit and forms of transportation other than single occupant vehicles.
Since there were several resources to share, we want to make it available to
other readers here on the blog.

Various levels of government encourage the use of transit and other ways to
travel, through tools like tax breaks, incentive programs and technical
support. Here are some examples:

City of Seattle $25 head tax waiver

The City assesses each employer $25 per year for each employee who works at
the employer’s Seattle work site. The employer does not have to pay the $25
for each employee who does not drive alone to work. 

Federal tax break on transit use

Federal law lets workers receive up to $230 a month in employer-paid
tax-free transit or vanpool benefits, or take up to $230 a month in
tax-sheltered payroll deductions for transit costs. For many years employee
parking received a higher tax break, but now transit or vanpool benefits for
employees receive the same tax break as employee parking. Please see this
brochure for more information.

Read the rest of this entry »
 No Comments » |  General, Transit |  Permalink 
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Marion Paving – Transferring the Load
August 20th, 2009

Paving work along Marion Street is going well, with the south side concrete
curb lane between First and Third avenues now complete.  Crews are working
steadily up the hill, placing funny green wire things before the concrete is
poured.  The green “load transfer baskets,” like you see in this photo
looking down from the top of Fourth Avenue, shift weight from one concrete
panel to the next as traffic drives over top.  While the baskets help evenly
distribute the extra weight of buses, the concrete helps to withstand the
pressure over time.  The only other area with concrete will be the middle
lane between Fourth and Fifth avenues, where the trolley travels.

View from Marion St. Looking West to 4th AveThe wire “baskets” are green
from an epoxy coating that makes them resistant to rust.             

Marion St. Load Transfer BasketsOnce the concrete work is complete, crews
will switch sides (as will traffic) and begin repaving the north side with
asphalt.  Reconstruction of the roadway includes drainage, base repair,
alley, sidewalk and curb ramp work. The entire project, from Western to
Sixth, is expected to wrap up in early October.
 No Comments » |  Freight, General, Transit |  Permalink 
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Making Transportation Options Accessible
August 18th, 2009

Rainier Ave S near Mt. Baker Light Rail Station and Metro Bus Stops
Lots of transportation changes are happening in Southeast Seattle. Link
light rail, Metro bus route restructuring, along with new sidewalks, bike
facilities, and parking regulations are all contributing to building a
community where there are more choices for getting around.

SDOT recognizes the importance of making sure people have the resources they
need to take advantage of their transportation choices. To do that, a basic
resource brochure was created to let people know more about how to get
around Southeast Seattle without using their cars.

This useful information is available in six languages including, Chinese,
English, Khmer, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Inside the brochure is a
map of the Southeast and contact information for non-English speakers to
reach translation services at Sound Transit, Metro and now through SDOT’s
newly established translation phone line. Check out the brochures here.
 No Comments » |  General, Peds, Transit |  Permalink 
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Making Connections
August 12th, 2009

Draft recommendations for Westlake Hub to connect bus, streetcar and light
rail

Looking south towards the streetcar terminus and the retail core along
Westlake Ave. The City is planning to close Westlake Ave between Olive Way
and Stewart St in 2010 to create a pedestrian-friendly plaza connecting bus,
streetcar and light rail.
What is a transportation hub, and what makes for a good one? For starters,
usually lots of transit service coming together that brings great regional
access with just a single ride or transfer. In many cases this “hub” of
activity takes place around a single structure, like New York City’s Grand
Central Station or King Street Station here in Seattle; other times it
occurs over several city blocks around a large public park or series of
pedestrian plazas.

Westlake is one of the latter: it’s five (soon to be six) forms of transit,
plus easy access to thousands of jobs and world-class shopping, make it a
popular stopover for both local and regional trips. Only a portion of this
activity, however, takes place underground in Westlake Station. For the most
part, Westlake is defined by what happens on the surface – people using city
streets to reach transit, shop, and often simply to hang out and observe
other people. In fact, Pine Street over the Westlake Station has more
pedestrians per day (> 30,000) than any other street in Washington.

The number of people and connections will increase as both Seattle and the
region continue growing with more housing and jobs, and the transit system
expands to bring new riders.  That is why SDOT has laid out a vision for the
Westlake Hub.

Top on the list? Developing a pedestrian plaza to improve access between the
Seattle Streetcar, buses and light rail, to be constructed in 2010. By
closing Westlake Avenue between Olive and Stewart, the project will help
improve wayfinding and reduce unnecessary crossings at a complex five-way
intersection. With an additional focus on addressing public safety concerns
and neighborhood walkability, the project is one of several recommendations
that emphasize livable streets – and inviting urban places – as critical
elements to a successful Westlake Hub and vibrant Center City. 

You can find the draft set of recommendations, and more conceptual drawings
of the improvements on our website at
www.seattle.gov/transportation/westlakehub.htm 

Westlake hub connects five (soon to be six) forms of transit: light rail,
streetcar, electric trolley bus, hybrid diesel bus, monorail, and

drum
roll
..Bus Rapid TransitRead the rest of this entry »
 No Comments » |  Peds, Streets for People, Transit |  Permalink 
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Take a spin through the new SR 99 bored tunnel and along Alaskan Way
August 10th, 2009

Current configuration of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Curious about how driving
through the bored tunnel may look and feel? WSDOT in partnership with SDOT,
King County Metro and the Port of Seattle developed two simulation videos
that are now posted to YouTube.  The first video shows the current design
concept for the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel. 

Northbound tunnel entrance
The second video depicts our proposed plan to build a new Alaskan Way
boulevard in the footprint of the current viaduct. Removal of the viaduct
will allow creation of a great new public open space on the waterfront.

Central Waterfront via Alaskan Way
You can visit the Alaskan Way Viaduct program Web site at
www.alaskanwayviaduct.org to learn more about these and other improvements
that are part of the viaduct’s replacement.
 No Comments » |  Freight, General, Transit |  Permalink 
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Take a ride on the Streetcar
August 7th, 2009

When you do, you’ll have company. Over 1,700 riders a day took to the rails
this July on Seattle’s South Lake Union Streetcar. Seattleites are on board
with the streetcar’s frequent service between the downtown retail core, the
Denny Triangle, the South Lake Union neighborhood and points in between.
Just roll your stroller or bike aboard, kick back and enjoy the ride! And
don’t forget that the streetcar conveniently connects to Link light rail,
Metro bus service and the Monorail at the Westlake Transit Center.

Take a look at these photos of a typical day on the Streetcar.

All aboard!
 4 Comments |  Transit |  Permalink 
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The train has left the station
July 20th, 2009

Long-term coordination efforts paid off this weekend as the city’s first
light rail line began operating.  The Seattle DOT has been a close partner
on the project with responsibility for activities such as traffic signal
timing and parking changes around stations. 

The timing system that operates the train and vehicle signals is one of the
most sophisticated in the country.  It always looks ahead five intersections
and begins incremental signal changes to minimize impacts from trains
passing through.  It also ensures that the first green light after a train
is given to the folks who have been waiting longest or have the longest
queue rather than automatically reverting to a set pattern. 

Reminding drivers about parking changes near stations
SDOT made a big push throughout the weekend to make sure the communities
near the stations and traveling public were ready for parking changes.
Staffers put courtesy flyers under the windshield wipers of vehicles around
stations without parking permits on Friday to minimize surprises when the
new Restricted Parking Zone regulations went into effect.  The new
regulations preserve parking for businesses, residents and visitors by
limiting commuter parking ¼ mile from stations.

Three new light rail riders
You also may have seen SDOT staff at information booths answering questions
and sharing in the excitement throughout the opening weekend.
 No Comments » |  Parking, Transit |  Permalink 
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-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Sellers
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 7:09 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] CCC Appreciation luncheon for volunteers

Beth,

You will  be missed. Hope you can make the  next chapter meeting on October
20 at Peppers at 5:30 PM.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of MerriBeth Manning
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 5:11 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] CCC Appreciation luncheon for volunteers

Bob, 

I unfortunately can not attend.  I have to work that day. 

I really enjoyed working with everyone.  I hope we can do this again next
year.  I hope everyone will be able to have more fun next year with us. 

Talk to you later. 

Beth 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Sellers" <robertsellers500 at comcast.net>
To: nfbwatlk @ nfbnet .org
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2009 4:16:04 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [ nfbwatlk ] CCC Appreciation luncheon for volunteers 

Hi List, 

On Saturday, October 17th at  Noon the Clark County Chapter will have a
luncheon to recognize and thank the volunteers who   has assisted our
chapter  over the past year. If you can make it down, we would like to have
you attend. 

It is primarily those volunteers who worked along side of  us on the
Amphitheater project. The chapter raised between three and four thousand
dollars. 

The luncheon will be held at: 

Bill’s Chicken and Steak House 

2200 St. John’s Blvd 

Vancouver, WA. 

It is between Fort Vancouver Way and E street. 

Best regards, 

Bob Sellers 

Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. 
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1330 - Release Date: 3/15/2008
2:36 PM 

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Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1330 - Release Date: 3/15/2008
2:36 PM

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