Puget Sound Transportation Projects

Press release from WSDOT:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2010/08/31-PortofTacoma.htm

WSDOT is examining locations in the Port of Tacoma to build up to 44 of the pontoons needed for the new SR 520 bridge. One possibility may be Concrete Tech, who among many other projects built the beams for the Disney World Monorail.

This would be great news for the port and good for the project as finished pontoons could be delivered up Puget Sound to Seattle, then taken through Union Bay to Lake Washington. Plus, it was done here before for the new I-90 floating bridge.

Ben

From The News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/01/1323108/murray-morgan-bridge-work-gets.html

WSDOT has offered the City of Tacoma a $20 million dollar loan with incredibly lenient terms to refurbrish the Murray Morgan / 11th Street Bridge. This is more than enough money to implement all the work needed.

While controversial, this is excellent news. The bridge is an icon of Tacoma and was effectively abandoned after WSDOT opened the SR 509 extension. The bridge also connects downtown to the tideflats more effectively than the SR 509 routing, and will allow for more development along the Foss Waterway.

Ben

At the iTunes Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wsdot/id387209224?mt=8

Official app from WSDOT provides traffic and travel information and updates for the state of Washington.

Ben

From The News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/08/31/1321610/pierce-county-not-on-our-bus-tackles.html

Program involving undercover and uniformed security personnel on buses to address disruptive and illegal behavior.

We will see if this helps.

Ben

From The News Tribune:
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2010/08/26/sound-transit-reverses-bid-decision-for-tacoma-rail-project/

Back in July 2010 there was some controversy over the lowest bidder for the D to M streets Sounder track extension project being disqualified for turning in some paperwork late.

While it is important to follow policies and procedures there also should be some leeway, especially with the difference in cost. Per the Tribune story, the missing paperwork was 20 minutes late and the cost difference was $800,000. That seems like a small enough time difference and a big enough cost difference to bend the rules slightly.

It is also good to see this project move ahead.

Ben

http://www.maritimefest.org/

This weekend.

Ben

From the Washington State Transportation Commission:
http://wstc.wa.gov/WTP/default.htm

Site provides the draft transportation plan for Washington State.

Ben

Press release from WSDOT:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2010/08/NationaltollingexpertstoreviewI-405ExpressTollLaneStudy.htm

National experts will be coming to Washington State to study the proposed 50 mile Express Toll Lane system on SR 167 and I-405.

Implementation of this system would dramatically help the commute from both the South and North ends up I-405 to Microsoft and other large employers. Currently that drive can take over a hour each direction with no real alternatives.

Ben

From Kirkland Views:
http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/19846

Photos of a tour inside the SR 520 floating bridge. More pictures are available here.

Why don’t I ever get invited to things like this?

Ben

Grass roots effort to build a fence at Titlow Beach to stop people from crossing the tracks. Formed after a teenager was killed by an Amtrak train earlier this month.

http://www.fenceforamanda.org/

Ben