Puget Sound Transportation Blog

My thoughts on transportation in the Puget Sound area and transportation issues in general.

Archive for 2009/02


Major Repairs on I-90 Floating Bridge

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/HomerHadleyBridgeRepair/
Replacement of the massive expansion joints on the bridge will result in around the clock closures. Planned closure dates are below:

May 4 - 23, 2009: Replace expansion joints on center roadway (reversible lanes)
July 5 - 28, 2009: Replace expansion joints on westbound I-90

WSDOT Posts Stimulus Package List

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/funding/stimulus/
WSDOT summarizes how much money Washington is expected to receive from the 2009 Stimulus Package, and what projects it will go to.

I-90 Variable Speed Limit Signs

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/TwoWayTransit/vsl.htm
These are being installed on Interstate 90 on Mercer Island as part of the Two Way Transit project. In theory these will help traffic congestion by regulating speed. We will see if that happens.

Seattle Makes Most Congested Cities List

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_022509WAB-seattle-congested-cities-LJ.ca8f50.html
#9 on the list. However, study also shows that traffic is declining in the area…

Puyallup Wants to Build Rapid Bus Line

From the Tacoma News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstories/story/635418.html
The EZRA Line, running down Meridan, from East Pierce County to downtown Puyallup. Not a bad idea; Meridan has some of the worst traffic in the state. Comes at a high cost however, and with the current congestion on Meridan it will be interesting to see if they can maintain […]

2009 Puget Sound Construction Calendar

From WSDOT:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009
They have posted information on the various projects in the Puget Sound area in 2009. This will be one of the busiest construction seasons ever for the state.

Stimulus Might Fund I-5 Work

From The News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/632636.html
The stimulus package funding might be used to finish the HOV lane project through Tacoma from the Tacoma Mall to the King County line. Now it is only funded from the county line to Port of Tacoma road.
More on the projects:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/piercecountyhov/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/piercecountyhov/i5_porttacomatoking/

Narrows Bridge Toll Controversy

Basically some of the Narrows Bridge toll money, supposed to be dedicated to covering the cost of the new bridge, is being spent on other projects.
From The News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/631484.html
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2009/02/18/bill_would_limit_how_narrows_bridge_toll

Battle Brewing Over Development Around Seattle Link Stations

From The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008751188_density17m.html
The state wants to make the areas surrounding the new Seattle Link stations high density. The neighborhoods think they should be allowed to decide.
On the one hand, the neighborhoods should be allowed to  make their own decisions about how they develop. On the other hand, part of the purpose of the light […]

US Highway Travel Down For the 14th Month

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29279403/
“U.S. highway travel was down 1.6 percent in December compared to a year ago, falling 3.8 billion miles to 237 billion miles.”
Also seen here in Washington State:
 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Finance/fuelpriceimpacts/default.htm

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