From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/06/21_WSDOTAddressesTNBTollIssues.htm WSDOT and ETTC, the vendor for the tolling system on the Narrows Bridge, have worked out the issues that resulted in the issuing of hundreds of tickets last month. Let’s hope this fix holds. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/20/1712950/oly-express-bus-trips-trimmed.html Due to service reductions required by limited funding and the failure of tax increases, Pierce Transit will discontinue its part of the Olympia Express service, leaving Intercity Transit to pick up the slack. This is bad news as traffic is already at a standstill between Tacoma and Olympia through the [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/06/SR16WBNVopens.htm The Westbound Nalley Valley Viaduct rebuild will open on Sunday, June 26th. This is great news, as the interface between SR 16 and Interstate 5 has been a notorious chokepoint for years. Now just to wait for the Eastbound side to be rebuilt. Video hopefully Sunday evening. Ben
From The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015375553_cartabs21m.html King County Executive Dow Constantine has proposed a $20 temporary car tab fee to help with a revenue shortfall for Metro Transit. Like everything else funded by sales taxes, the transit system has been losing income. While I know people in the state keep fighting hard for less fees, Metro [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/18/1711585/no-more-nalleys-plants-production.html The former Nalley Foods plant in, well, the Nalley Valley in Tacoma is closing on June 25th. The latest company to buy them out has most of their production back East. While not about transportation per se, this company has led their name to the whole valley, and therefore the [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/18/1711626/new-high-arching-bridge-over-nalley.html Yes, the new flyover bridge across the Nalley Valley opens this weekend. This should significantly improve the horrendous backups at the SR 16/I 5 interchange. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/123957349.html Security patrols will increase on local rail lines and platforms due to terrorism concerns. This is good since the rails have been mostly unprotected and are being used more and more. Hopefully it won’t eliminate sites such as this one however. You too can join the effort here: http://www.citizensforrailsecurity.com/ Ben
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/06/14_320thOffRamp.htm A project to expand the Southbound 320th street off ramp from I-5 to five lanes will begin shortly. As the only route to “downtown” Federal Way, including a major mall, this ramp backs up daily. Expanding capacity now should avoid even larger issues in the future. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/123794339.html Due to reductions in sales tax collections and the failure of Proposition 1, Pierece Transit will be forced to cut service another 15% this Fall. This means the elimination of most outlying routes. While we must focus on the greatest amount of ridership, which means in the major cities, it is the [...]
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/123625544.html The final environmental impact statement for the SR 520 floating bridge project has been released. Work will begin early next year. This project is many years overdue. It is good to see it finally move ahead. Ben