From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/18/1748822/antennas-measure-traffic-flow.html The flat panel antennas that have popped up on area roads are used to measure traffic flow. They are made by a company called Wavetronix. This must be a way around having to physically add traffic sensor loops to the road, very similar to using cameras to change lights versus [...]
From WSDOT: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/07/13_ElectricHighways.htm AeroViroment will build and maintain the network of high-speed charging stations for the West Coast Green Highway. This project will serve as a great test of electric vehicles and also help users of those vehicles for longer trips. Ben
From The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015603397_i5tolls14m.html There is a proposal to toll the I-5 Express Lanes North of downtown Seattle. The money generated would be used to fund projects on this stretch of I-5. While there is a lack of funding to complete major projects, especially with the recession, I am not sure if this is [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/13/1743047/parking-costs-top-1-million.html Fines and fees have generated over 1.1 million in the first six months of 2011. However with enforcement and court costs, there is barely any revenue being generated. The meters in Downtown Tacoma have been controversial but there is a purpose behind them: to free up parking spots for businesses. [...]
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/125543908.html An expert panel has suggested that ETCC, the company hired by WSDOT to install the tolling system on the SR 520 bridge, just get the basic system running and then worry about any additional features. With all the problems this project has faces, this is an excellent idea. Let’s get it started, [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/11/1741529/honk-if-youll-miss-ruston-way.html?storylink=rss The Ruston Way Tunnel at the old ASARCO smelter will close Wednesday forever. I have many memories of passing through this tunnel, narrow, dark and with the blind corner at the end. Video hopefully tonight. Ben
http://www.onsiteview.com/cams/view_remote.php?license=OSV-OtxAvf See live views of the reconstruction of the Murray Morgan Bridge in downtown Tacoma, Washington. Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/10/1739598/rail-takes-city-funds.html Tacoma’s Mountain Division railroad, purchased in part to run a tourist train to Mount Rainier, continues to run without an operating agreement. The line needs to fully transfer to Tacoma Rail, yet due to delayed audits it hasn’t. Hopefully this can be solved soon. While the tourist train hasn’t yet [...]
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/09/1738482/voters-likely-to-decide-about.html Tim Eyeman’s latest initiative, I-1125, would end tolls on projects once they are completed. They would also eliminate variable toll rates. It also puts in some other limits and changes who sets the tolling rates. The initiative has enough signatures to go on the ballot in November. While there are some [...]
From pnwlocalnews.com: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/news/125150948.html?period=W Gig Harbor bridge critic Randy Boss plans to sue to stop the proposed photo tolling system on the Narrows and SR 520 bridges. He believes the State violated some of its own laws when proposing and setting up the system. While it is always good to hold people and entities accountable, we [...]