From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/27/1682297/inland-amtrak-route-needed-for.html Opinion piece by Lloyd Flem, the executive director of All Aboard Washington, discusses the need for an inland Amtrak route and why the monies appropriated for it can only be used for that purpose. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/27/1682223/a-cheaper-way-to-link-light-rail.html After the notice from Sound Transit that funding may not be available to extend Link Light Rail to Federal Way, proposals have been made to extend light rail down Interstate 5 instead of Highway 99, or to replace the service with bus service. Both of these proposals are ify at [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/05/26_SR522ContractAward.htm The contract has been awarded to expand SR 522 from the Snohomish River to its intersection with US 2 in Monroe. This state highway has been slowly expanded over the years, in the same fashion as SR 18 has been expanded. While far from complete, this is great news. Like other routes [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/05/26_SR18RampClosure.htm Continued construction on the SR 18/I-5 Interchange project will close several ramps all summer for the construction of the new flyover ramps. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/05/05_24WABikeFriendlyState.htm The League of American Bicyclists has voted Washington “Most Bicycle Friendly State” for the fourth year in a row. This is due to the construction of multiple bicycle-friendly projects. While bicycling doesn’t work for everyone, it is a valid transportation option. It is therefore good to see Washington win this award. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://rainiervalley.komonews.com/news/transportation/woman-struck-killed-train-while-walking-light-rail-tracks/642664 A woman walking down the light rail tracks was hit and killed Saturday night near Othello Station. Remember: STAY OFF THE TRACKS! Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/23/1676120/end-of-the-line-in-east-pierce.html Due to lowered income from sales taxes, Pierce Transit may be forced to cut service to Bonney Lake, Sumner, Buckley and Orting. Unfortunately these cities are further out and some have no or little freeway access, so this is one of the worst possible choices. On the other hand, the [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/22/1674985/use-that-federal-rail-money-to.html Opinion piece says that the Amtrak rerouting in the South end won’t save enough time to be useful, and an expansion of Interstate 5 is needed more. While I-5 does need expansion, this project will eventually allow expansion of commuter rail through the area and/or allow commuters to utilize expanded [...]
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/122421574.html Local Seattle startup Zebigo lets you match up empty seats in your car with riders. The rider pays a fee which the service takes a cut of. While you can sign up for carpools via Rideshare Online, this service sounds like it would be more instantaneous. Anything to lower the cost of [...]
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/122362454.html Voters will be allowed to vote, not on the tunnel, but on an ordinance that allows the city council to vote to go ahead. This is not good. We have gone round and round on this project for too long. A decision was made, it is a good one under the circumstances, [...]