February 1, 2008
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/breaking/story/271252.html
Still more heavy snow and avalanches. Checking again at 4 pm.
Ben
Update: Now open. Check http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/ for updates.
Puget Sound Transportation Blog
My thoughts on transportation in the Puget Sound area and transportation issues in general.
February 1, 2008
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/270966.html
Basically, a more limited plan for Sound Transit 2 would extend light rail to Overlake on the Eastside, up to Northgate and down to Kent/Des Moines. However, Pierce County would gain more Sounder and bus service.
In exchange, Tacoma Link would be extended from downtown to Tacoma General and TCC, and out to Fife.
Thoughts: This plan is actually more realistic. Light rail should be used to serve a city or smaller area. Heavy rail (Sounder) should be used intercity. Extending Central Link to Northgate and down to Kent/Des Moines allows bus riders and drivers to catch the train into Seattle from points well outside the city. Extending Link out to Overlake supports the growing employment centers of Bellevue and Redmond (and Overlake is actually right next to the Microsoft campus). On the other side, extending Tacoma Link to TCC allows riders to get into downtown from the North End and further points (TCC is the first stop in Tacoma from the Gig Harbor area). Extending it to Fife also allows for connections outside the city.
The question now is, will the voters go for it?
Ben
January 31, 2008
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2008/01/SnoqualmietravelalertJan08.htm
Potentially until Saturday. Heavy avalanche danger in the Cascades currently.
Ben
January 30, 2008
Between North Bend and Ellensburg. There is so much snow that they are having multiple avalanches and snow slides. It is now closed until further notice.
Ben
January 28, 2008
Major snow in Western Washington. Most snow is North of Seattle/Bellevue around Lynnwood and Bothell but everywhere got hit.
Definite transportation impacts. Most freeways are OK but spinouts reported on SR16 and SR520. SR410 is, or was, closed. Many side streets are bad.
More snow expected this evening.
Check the sites below for updates.
Update: Snow cleared by the afternoon, expected snow Monday night never materialized.
Ben
January 25, 2008
From http://www.soundtransit.org/x72.xml
Running now until 10 PM.
This is great news. Link used to run until 8 on weekdays INCLUDING Friday. This now allows people to enjoy the shops, restaurants and events downtown eve later at night.
However, this does involve a service cut on Sundays, from 8 pm to 6 pm. Which may be OK as there is often not alot going on.
Ben
January 23, 2008
So, after leaving a bit late on Tuesday (about 7:40) due to feeling ill, I find out as I step into my car and view the Trafficgauge that both I-5 North and I-405 North are way backed up. At the same time my favorite radio station comes on and announces that it is now almost a hour and a half from Federal Way to Seattle (normally 30-45 minutes; should be about 25) and a hour from Southcenter to Bellevue (normally about 50 minutes; should be about 25).
Why? Minor accidents and stalls on both routes. No major crash, inclement weather, major events, etc.
Proving my case again. The transportation systems here will work…IF there is nothing out of the ordinary. Yes we’re at 100%+ capacity but things will move, if slowly. However, if a lane is closed by an accident, a bridge is icy and requires you to slow down, heck the state patrol or WSDOT Incident Response are on the shoulder, forget about it.
Ben
January 21, 2008
From the WSDOT Website:
23, Wednesday, 4 - 7 p.m., PSRC public outreach, Destination 2040 - Tacoma: The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is updating Destination 2030, its 30-year transportation plan for the Puget Sound region, and they want to get public input on issues (climate change, congestion, etc.), transportation alternatives, criteria and environmental impacts to be included in the plan. WSDOT staff for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project also will be available. Location: Main Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue S., Tacoma.
24, Thursday, 3 - 6 p.m., PSRC public outreach, Destination 2040 - Auburn: The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is updating Destination 2030, its 30-year transportation plan for the Puget Sound region, and they want to get public input on issues (climate change, congestion, etc.), transportation alternatives, criteria and environmental impacts to be included in the plan. WSDOT staff for the SR 167 Corridor Plan and the SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project also will be available. Location: City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn.
Ben
January 18, 2008
School bus vs. SUV at 7 am this morning. 3 left lanes closed. Backed up to SR 18.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/15083426/detail.html
Update 11 am: Accident now cleared.
Ben Brooks
January 18, 2008
Well, this is going to be a blog discussing transportation issues in the Puget Sound area, and transportation issues in general. Feel free to post any comments or ask me any questions.
More to come.
Ben Brooks