From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/124822904.html A crane tipped over at the construction site for the Sounder Extension in Downtown Tacoma. Fortunately nobody was hurt and damage appears minimal. Ben
From KING-5: http://www.king5.com/news/Medina-residents-mourn-the-loss-of–124748589.html Multiple trees along the routing of SR 520 have been removed for the SR 520 Expansion and Bridge Replacement project. Many residents in the area are upset. WSDOT does however plan to replant and to build noise walls. While it is never good to lose trees, in this case it is necessary. [...]
From Seattle Pulp: http://www.komonews.com/seattlepulp/home-garden/staff-picks/124626739.html Interesting list of bridges to cross in Washington. Ben
http://trimet.org/pm/construction/index.htm The Portland to Milwaukee South MAX Light Rail extension (Orange Line) breaks ground on July 1st. Portland steps to the front again with the addition of the 5th light rail line in the region! Ben
From KING-TV via MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43549075 The Southcenter Parkway Extension and Southcenter Access Projects are impacting businesses in the Southcenter area. This is unfortunately to be expected as they take place in front of a major mall and retail corridor. Hopefully due to incentives and imminent clear weather the project can be finished early. Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/06/27_independencetravel2011.htm WSDOT’s Website provides travel tools and typical traffic graphs for the July 4th weekend. I have found these tools and statistics to be very useful in the past. If you are traveling this weekend you should check them out. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/25/1720946/leaders-in-east-pierce-discuss.html Due to cuts, and outright elimination of service to areas of East Pierce County by Pierce Transit, some cities are considering leaving Pierce Transit and setting up their own transportation systems. While the loss of any cities in the area is a major blow, this in some ways makes sense. [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/06/6_23_I90traveltimesigns.htm Three travel time signs have been added to Interstate 90 between North Bend and Cle Elum (picture). This is great. This stretch of Interstate 90, over Snoqualmie Pass, is always horribly congested. Hopefully these signs will help people plan their trips. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/22/1717042/nalley-valley-interchange-blessing.html On Wednesday there was a ceremonial blessing for the new Nalley Valley Viaduct. The viaduct itself will open Sunday morning. This is great news. The interchange and current viaduct have been over-capacity for years. Hopefully this will dramatically help traffic, at least one direction. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/20/1712949/fixes-to-i-5-potholes-coming-but.html Yes, the bad potholes on Interstate 5 between Federal Way and Southcenter will be fixed….starting in 2015. Many of the roads in this area need this kind of work. But costs and the lack of any viable detours will continue to delay and constrain these kinds of projects. Ben