From The News Tribune: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2011/02/28/amtrak-running-again-through-tacoma/ The first Amtrak trains running South of Tacoma since the Saturday night derailment was Sunday evening. The full schedule should have returned as of today. With the popularity of the Amtrak Cascades it is good to hear that this line has been reopened. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2011/02/28/explosion-reported-at-pierce-transit-center/ There apparently was a natural gas explosion at the Pierce Transit headquarters in Lakewood. Details are still coming in. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/25_ColumbiaRiverCrossing.htm ODOT and WSDOT have decided to go with a deck truss design for the new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River. This design is both cheap and effective. While it would be nice to see a more dramatic design, I know that funding for such projects is very limited at this [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/19_SR99_rampdemolished.htm The First Avenue South ramps to and from SR 99 are now history. They were torn down as part of the SR 99 / Alaskan Way Viaduct project. It is good to see this project finally move forward. The viaduct has needed to be replaced for over ten years. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/POF_021811.htm Unfortunately the state’s two passenger-only ferries have been sold and are heading to Tanzania. Sadly, the state canceled the service several years ago. This is a big loss. There are many cities in the area, including Seattle, where you can walk to work, or utilize the growing streetcar and light rail lines [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/17_GoodToGoWebsiteUpgrade.htm The Website for Washington’s electronic tolling program, Good to Go, is under repair after experiencing problems during it’s first week of use. It is recommended to wait a few days before trying to use the site. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/16_AddlHSRFunds.htm The State of Florida has rejected their federal funds for high speed rail. The State of Washington is looking to get some of the funding for their high speed rail projects. Hey, if they don’t want it, we can use it. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/TollRates.htm A table of the VARIABLE toll rates for the SR 520 bridge. Tolls are as high as $5 and as low as $0. Note, there is a significant savings with a Good to Go pass, so get yours today. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/15_SR167lanerestrictionbegins.htm Vehicles over 10,000 pounds will have to use the right lane when crossing the Puyallup River on SR 167. This is a very old bridge in need of replacement. While one is planned, it is tied to the SR 167 extension project, which is now on hold. Hopefully this move will help [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/02/15_99SafetyFenceComplete.htm The project to add a fence to the Aurora Bridge to prevent suicides is complete. I know the project has been controversial, but since the bridge was second only to the Golden Gate Bridge in suicides, and the area below the bridge has expanded in recent years, this project was sorely needed. [...]