Transportation

Press release:

A new sign bridge will be installed over Sea-Tac Airport's expressway in support of the Port's roadway improvements project. This will require the full closure and detour of all exiting traffic to International Boulevard starting Monday, September 26 at 11:30 p.m.

All lanes on the expressway will be open by Tuesday, September 27 at 4:30 a.m. If you are planning on visiting the airport during this period, please follow the detour signs.

Press release:

The Sound Transit Board Thursday, July 28, approved accelerating construction of the South Link light rail extension from Sea-Tac Airport to South 200th Street. The South 200th Link project includes a 1.6-mile, elevated guideway and station with a planned opening in September, 2016-four years earlier than envisioned in the voter-approved Sound Transit 2 plan, and at the same time University Link service will begin.

"Moving forward with construction of the South 200th light rail extension earlier than planned is an exciting opportunity for South King County," said Aaron Reardon, Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive. "In just a few short years, thousands of south county residents every day will be able to enjoy fast, efficient light rail service to the airport, downtown Seattle and the University of Washington, with numerous connections to other major employment centers throughout the region."

King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson released this statement July 20 on Ordinance 2011-0288, the proposal to implement a temporary $20 Congestion Reduction Charge on vehicle licenses for each of the next two years to help maintain Metro Transit service at its current level:

"After finding out today that the proposed Congestion Relief Charge would save the 26,000 service hours scheduled to be cut in Council District 5 as part of the 17 percent reduction of transit service, I am ready to support Executive (Dow) Constantine's proposal.

"This was not an easy decision for me because families are already struggling in this economic recession. Before I gave my support of a fee increase, I needed to make absolutely sure that this proposal did not disproportionately burden the working poor in my district.

"South County residents commute further than anywhere else in King County. They rely heavily on bus service everyday to get them to work and back home to their families.

Press release:

Do you need sidewalks in your neighborhood, or safe bike paths to local schools? Do the streets near your home or business need resurfacing, or are entirely new streets needed? Is using public transit convenient for you?

These are some of the many questions the City is asking residents and businesses as the City maps out the Burien community's transportation needs for the next decade and beyond. The City is in the process of updating its Transportation Master Plan and seeks to gather information about multi-modal transportation for all ages and abilities.

A series of meetings are being planned to gather information from the public on transportation needs in Burien. An introductory meeting is planned for Tuesday, July 19, 4 - 6 p.m., in the first floor multi-purpose room at the City Hall/library building, 400 S.W. 152nd St. Watch for notices of future meetings.

City staff seeks to learn from the public needs for multi-modal access particularly for:
* School access (safe routes to school)
* Grocery/shopping centers including food banks
* Hospitals and medical clinics
* Parks and open spaces

(Editor's Note: The King County Council Transportation Committee will hold one more public hearing on the proposed legislation on Thursday, July 21 at Burien City Council Chambers , 400 S.W. 152nd Street starting at 6 p.m.)

Press release:
The audience who came to the meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council's Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee sent a clear message to everyone in the County Council chambers: the impact of a reduction in Metro Transit service will be felt throughout the region and should not be allowed to happen.

Courthouse Security estimates that up to 1,000 people lined up to enter the King County Courthouse, a line that stretched south from the Third Avenue entrance of the Courthouse and extended east up Yesler Avenue. Seven hundred people filled Council chambers and three overflow rooms. Of those who signed in, 87 percent indicated support for preserving transit service through Council enactment of a $20 Congestion Reduction Charge.

Do you need sidewalks in your neighborhood, or safe bike paths to local schools? Do the streets near your home or business need resurfacing, or are entirely new streets needed? Is using public transit convenient for you?

These are some of the many questions the city is asking residents and businesses as the Burien maps out the Burien community's transportation needs for the next decade and beyond. The city is in the process of updating its Transportation Master Plan and seeks to gather information about multi-modal transportation for all ages and abilities.

A series of meetings are being planned to gather information from the public on transportation needs in Burien. An introductory meeting is planned for Tuesday, July 19, 4 - 6 p.m., in the first floor multi-purpose room at the City Hall/library building, 400 S.W. 152nd St. Watch for notices of future meetings.

City staff seeks to learn from the public needs for multi-modal access particularly for:
* School access (safe routes to school)
* Grocery/shopping centers including food banks
* Hospitals and medical clinics
* Parks and open spaces

State Route 99 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between the West Seattle Bridge and Seattle's sports stadiums in the SODO area beginning May 16. King County Metro Transit hopes motorists will help reduce the number of vehicles in the construction zone by sharing the ride on a bus or vanpool.

"King County has been working with the state to beef up transportation service between downtown Seattle and West Seattle, White Center and Burien for more than a year," said Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. "We think we have some terrific options that could significantly reduce congestion and delays during construction. Plus, with gas prices soaring, you can also save some money."

Starting Monday, May 16 at 5 a.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is reducing lanes on SR 99 on the Alaskan Way Viaduct to continue construction of new southbound lanes. This is a long-term lane closure. To prepare for these changes, there will be a full closure of the viaduct the weekend of May 14-15 and buses will be rerouted for that closure.

Unlike Seattle and its Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project, there will be no tunnel controversy in SeaTac--the Port of Seattle has opted for a bridge.

SeaTac City Council members approved April 12 an interlocal agreement with the Port for a bridge crossing over South 188th Street in the vicinity of 28th Avenue South. The aerial crossing would be part of the Port's South Access Road connecting to the state Route 509 Extension.

Of course, the SR-509 Extension has been delayed for years and no one can predict when it will be approved. SR-509 was slated to extend beyond its present dead end at South 188th Street to connect with Interstate 5. The connection was planned to expedite freight traffic between Seattle and the Kent Valley.

But, although much of the design work and right-of-way acquisition have been completed to the point where many consider the 509 project "shovel-ready," construction funding has been elusive. That leaves the freight truck-free SR-509 through Burien as a private freeway for Highline residents.

Residents and businesses along Ambaum Blvd S.W. between S.W. 112th and S.W. 156th St, can expect to be disrupted this week and next as noisy grinding and repair work continues. Work is being done at night to have the least impact on traffic and to complete the work quicker.

Grinding and pavement repair on Ambaum Blvd S.W., started April 5 at S.W. 112th St. and is working south, finishing at the intersection of 4th Ave. S.W. and S.W. 156th St.
The segment to S.W. 140th is expected to be completed by Friday, April 8. Grinding and repair will take place from S.W. 140th south to S.W. 156th St. the week of April 11. During the nighttime repair work, traffic is being channeled to one lane, and also detoured in some areas. No parking will be allowed on the street and driveway access may be temporarily affected during these times. Use of alternate routes is recommended.

Overnight closures on the approach to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are scheduled for three days beginning Tuesday, April 5th to facilitate the installation of girders on the International Boulevard (State Route 99) bridge over State Route 518. The road improvements will add a new lane to the bridge to facilitate the entrance to the new Rental Car Facility, south of Highway 518, scheduled to open in spring 2012.

The closures are scheduled to occur during the overnight hours between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. to lessen the impact to commuters. Three closures will allow four separate girder sections to be placed on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 5 - 7.

Vehicles will be detoured during each evening construction period. Detour routes will be marked and motorists are encouraged to use caution while traveling in the area.

For a link to information, go to http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/traveler/roads.shtml