Transportation

Press release:

Apple Cup fans can bypass traffic and take Sound Transit’s special event day Sounder trains to the 4:30 p.m. game between the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State University Cougars on Saturday, Nov. 26. Special Sounder commuter rail trains will operate from Tacoma and Everett to Seattle, and Link light rail will run two-car trains to accommodate game-day crowds.

Inbound schedule for special Saturday Sounder service

Tacoma to Seattle

Tacoma 1:35 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Puyallup 1:47 p.m. - 2:27 p.m.
Sumner - 2:07 p.m. 2:32 p.m.
Auburn - 2:15 p.m. 2:40 p.m.
Kent - 2:22 p.m. 2:47 p.m.
Tukwila - 2:29 p.m. 2:54 p.m.
Seattle 2:29 p.m. 2:52 p.m. 3:17 p.m.

Everett to Seattle

Everett 1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Mukilteo 1:56 p.m. 2:11 p.m.
Edmonds 2:11 p.m. 2:26 p.m.
Seattle 2:44 p.m. 2:59 p.m.

Outbound Service

Southline trains depart King Street Station 10, 20 and 45 minutes after the game; northline trains depart 15 and 35 minutes after the game.

Press release:
On Monday, Nov. 14 the Port of Seattle launched its new website, with more intuitive navigation that makes accessing information about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, cargo and cruise facilities, Fishermen's Terminal and other Port of Seattle areas of interest faster and easier than ever with a better overall web experience.

The website features up-to-the-minute flight information, a new photo gallery, easy-to-use drop-down menus, plus slide shows and videos for faster at-a-glance communication. Tabular sections and a powerful search feature put most information and documents just a click away, for greater transparency to community groups and business partners. Special sections also cover the port's extensive environmental programs, properties for lease, and construction activities.

"Simple and to the point," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. "That's what our website visitors are looking for, and our team is delivering with a concise new website that I think is informative, efficient and engaging," he added.

WSDOT press release:

The nightly lane closures are almost over in Tukwila and drivers now have smoother, more skid resistant sections on I-5, just in time for fall rains.

Our contractor crews have ripped out and replaced nearly 58 of the worst concrete panels in the area. The remaining work is expected to be complete by early next week.

But we’re not done creating a smoother ride on I-5 in King County just yet. More work is scheduled for early summer 2012 on I-5 near S. 260th Street in Kent and between the University District and Roanoke Avenue in Seattle.

Do you know your transit holiday schedule?
Take a moment to prepare yourself for the holiday season and winter weather. Inclement weather conditions and holidays can impact your daily commute. Be sure you know what your bus is doing this holiday season.

As a reminder, Friday is Veteran’s Day, and all King Country Metro Service will be on a holiday schedule.

Press release:
In September 2011, the City of Des Moines announced the start of a new road safety camera program to prevent speeding in school zones. The School Zone Safety Program aims to protect students, drivers, and passengers from injuries or crashes caused by speeding near Woodmont Elementary School. The city has installed speed compliance cameras in the school zone along the northbound and southbound lanes of 16th Avenue South.

This School Safety Program initially had a 30-day introductory period where warning notices but no fines will be issued to the registered owner of any vehicle photographed while speeding. This introductory and public education phase was due to expire on November 1, 2011. Due to some scheduling issues, the warning notices were not mailed out to the registered owners during the full 30 days.

The purpose of the School Safety Program is to alert drivers to the school zones, reduce speeds, and increase safety for students. A vital part of this new program is to educate the community of this program before enforcement begins.

As a long time resident and community activist in Des Moines since 1954, I highly endorse everything Al Isaac said in support of Des Moines Prop 1.

In spite of difficult times, Des Moines is poised for progress. In fact the Des Moines community could lead the way, and set an example of positive progressive thinking and action for all of Southwest King County.

That is needed everywhere, It will take positive progressive thinking to move us forward..

Vote yes for Des Moines Prop 1. That vote is a positive step in the right direction.

Jack Kniskern
Des Moines

Press release:
Overnight lane closures will affect travelers entering and exiting the airport from State Route 518. The closures will be during the evening hours of Monday, October 31 between 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., plus the evening hours of Tuesday, November 1 between 11:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Monday night/Tuesday morning intermittent lane closures will reduce to one lane for both the approach to the SR 518 off-ramp to the Airport and the exit to SR99/154th. A single lane will be maintained at all times.

Tuesday night/Wednesday morning intermittent lane closures will reduce to one lane for both of the exits to SR 518. A single lane will be maintained at all times.

The closures are for upgrades to the roadway improvements for Sea-Tac Airport's Consolidated Rental Car Facility. The project is adding a lane to the SR 99 bridge southbound over SR 518 for convenient access to the new facility. A new ramp from SR 518 will take vehicles to the expanded bridge lane thus reducing the impact to regular traffic on SR 99/International Blvd. The new ramp and expanded bridge is expected to be open by early 2012. The Rental Car Facility is scheduled to open in April 2012.

Press release:

Public transit is the answer during the major congestion expected on Interstate 5 and Seattle streets during the nine-day closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. It is the best bet for commuters looking to save their time and sanity.

For some, Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail are the only options for congestion-free commuting. Bus services are expected to experience delays due to increased congestion but offer an opportunity to let someone else do the driving.

“The Seattle area has never before seen a highway closure of this magnitude,” said Sound Transit Deputy CEO Celia Kupersmith. “Every day 110,000 vehicles drive cross the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Nobody knows how bad the traffic will get as those vehicles look for other alternatives. What we do know is that taking transit and other alternatives to driving are the best survival strategy.”

In the final days before the closure, the Washington State Department of Transportation and King County Metro Transit are joining Sound Transit in emphasizing the opportunity to plan ahead for heavy congestion.

At 12:15 today, October 19, WSDOT will close northbound I-5 down to two lanes, between S. 188th St and just north of the I-405 interchange, for emergency repair work. Drivers should avoid the area or take alternate routes to avoid delays.
Crews will also need to close the mainline and HOV ramps from southbound I-405 to northbound I-5. The closure is expected to remain until 4 a.m. tomorrow morning, October 20.
For updates and detour information please visit the Seattle Traffic Page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/.

Press release:
The City of SeaTac today announced they have joined the ChargePoint® Network and will now offer electric vehicle (EV) charging services for the community.

The city has installed two ChargePoint® Networked EV charging stations that are part of Coulomb Technologies’ $37 million ChargePoint America program, that will provide nearly 5,000 free EV charging stations for individuals and businesses throughout the United States. The charging stations were provided and installed by Coulomb Technologies’ northwest distributor Charge Northwest.

“We are excited to be a part of the ChargePoint America program and provide charging services to the region given our easy access from Interstate-5,” said Todd Cutts, city