Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts

Free rides on Metro on New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31, 2019


King County Metro will again offer free rides on New Year’s Eve with promotional support and sponsorship from Seattle Center, which draws thousands of people for New Year’s Eve festivities, including free Seattle Center Winterfest activities at Seattle Center Armory and International Fountain and midnight fireworks off the Space Needle.

Rides will be free from 7pm Tuesday, December 31, to 4am Wednesday, January 1, on Metro buses and other Metro transit service.

In addition, Metro will add more frequent service to its night routes, focusing on helping people travel near Seattle Center following the fireworks at midnight.

“There's no better night to leave your car at home than New Year’s Eve, and with free fares you can ride Metro transit, celebrate late, and not have to worry about parking or a safe ride home,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.


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Survey: do you ride Community Transit buses

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Do you ride the bus from Snohomish County to the University of Washington or downtown Seattle?
 
With Northgate Link set to open in 2021, Community Transit and Sound Transit are considering rerouting some bus routes to Northgate, where riders could transfer to Link light rail. 

To learn more and provide your feedback, visit Northgate.participate.online and take the survey by December 31, 2019. 

The survey is on the bright pink banner with the words "Share Your Feedback".



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Survey: water taxi service on Lake Washington

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Seattle Water Taxi might be coming to Kenmore


King County Metro currently operates the King County Water Taxi which provides passenger-only ferry service from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and Vashon Island.

Passenger-only ferries are a comfortable way to travel, usually providing a seat for all passengers and allowing them the ability to use travel time to work or relax and enjoy the views. Because ferries are not impacted by roadway traffic, they offer a consistent and reliable travel time.

The King County Council, through a budget proviso, has asked Metro to prepare and transmit a report that outlines a plan for potential future service to the Ballard and Kenmore communities.

As part of that report, Metro is looking for feedback on how you currently travel to better understand whether a passenger-only ferry could be an option.

Potential routes being considered:

  • Ballard to downtown Seattle and/or the Expedia campus (Interbay)
  • Kenmore to Seattle (University of Washington, Madison Park, Leschi Park, or the Portage Bay area)

They are also interested to know if you have any comments or suggestions about potential passenger-only ferry service.

WATER TAXI EXPANSION SURVEY - it takes a few minutes to complete.



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Transportation Commission to recommend next steps on road usage charging to Legislature

Sunday, December 15, 2019


The Washington State Transportation Commission will take action next week on policy recommendations to the Washington State Legislature on whether and when the state should consider implementing a Road Usage Charge (RUC) system as a possible replacement to the gas tax.

The commission will take final action at 1pm Tuesday on its findings and recommendations related to whether and when a RUC system could replace the gas tax to fund roads and bridges.

A RUC is a per-mile charge drivers would pay for the use of roads, as opposed to paying by the gallon of gas. 

Because gasoline is taxed by the gallon, as vehicles become more fuel-efficient or switch to electric power, gas tax revenue is expected to decline by as much as 45 percent by 2035. In 2012, the Legislature directed the commission to assess the potential of a RUC to replace the gas tax.

The final RUC report will detail the results of a 7-year-long assessment of road usage charging and a pilot project that involved more than 2,000 drivers statewide in a live test of RUC. The commission will consider the work of the RUC steering committee, results and findings from the test-driving phase of the pilot project, input from the pilot participants, and input from the public, as they finalize recommendations and next steps. The commission will submit the report to the governor, Legislature and the Federal Highway Administration in January 2020.

Also on Tuesday, the commission will receive an update on current traffic and revenue data for all tolled facilities, including the State Route 99 tunnel. 

Commissioners will hear the findings and recommendations from the lead consultant who conducted an analysis of congestion pricing in downtown Seattle. Congestion pricing is a charge drivers pay when they enter the most congested areas at the busiest times. Commissioned by the transportation network company Uber, the study considered whether charging all drivers could be an alternative to direct taxes or licensing limitations imposed on transportation network companies.

Tuesday afternoon the commission will continue its ongoing examination of the policy issues related to vehicle automation. John Niles, co-author of a book on autonomous vehicles, will discuss the potential effects on communities and public safety of shifting 50 percent or more of today’s privately owned and human-operated vehicles to automated vehicles.

On Wednesday, the commission will take action to adopt its annual report to the Legislature, which includes a number of recommendations on transportation policy and funding. 

Commissioners also will hear briefings on policy topics including, development of Vision 2050, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s newest long-range plan; an update to the Washington State Department of Transportation’s state plan for passenger and freight rail; and, a study underway by WSDOT’s aviation division to evaluate the potential for using electric aircraft in passenger air service.



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I-976: Some local transportation projects are safe - some are in jeopardy

Saturday, December 7, 2019

RapidRide E Line service could be affected
depending upon court ruling
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


By Jamie Holter

Voters statewide passed Tim Eyman’s I-976 $30 car tabs initiative by a wide margin in November. Currently, the initiative is on hold and making its way to the State Supreme Court for a decision on its Constitutionality. If it holds, it presents a mixed bag of challenges for the City of Shoreline and residents who walk, drive, or take transit.

Here’s a look at the projects and programs in jeopardy and others that appear to be safe.

Money to repair minor pavement damage is
in jeopardy
Photo by Diane Hettrick

Roads

In 2009, the Shoreline council passed a $20 vehicle license fee (car tabs) for road preservation in Shoreline

The fee goes toward repairing pavement early before it gets too bad and needs to be completely replaced - which is more expensive. This is in jeopardy.

Sidewalks

In 2018, voters approved a 0.20% sales tax earmarked for new sidewalks. That is NOT a vehicle license fee so it does not appear to be in jeopardy.

Money for sidewalk repair is in jeopardy
Photo by Diane Hettrick

However, the council did pass $20 vehicle license fee for sidewalk repair and maintenance. This is also in jeopardy.

The combined vehicle license fees account for $1.66 million annually for the city. Losing even a portion of this will require the council to look at the entire budget, reprioritize and reallocate based on discussions and recommendations from council, staff and input from the community.

Buses

Buses that head south into Seattle may be affected. In 2014, Seattle voters approved an increase in fees to cover an increase in transit service. Our transit is their transit once it hits the Seattle city limits. So the Rapid Ride E and other buses that stop in Shoreline AND Seattle could be affected IF the court rules that I-976 can remove transit fees approved by city voters for city transportation programs and projects.

The bottom line is that this initiative will affect transit revenue stream and if it is lost, it will be up to state leaders and policymakers how to generate new funds.

Other projects

The City of Shoreline partners with WSDOT on two key major construction projects along the 145th Street / SR 523 corridor.

Conceptual drawing only - not the final design
The first is the I-5/145th Interchange project. It would radically change the area by adding two roundabouts.

This is a companion project to our new 145th Link Light Rail Station.

This redesigned interchange would make it easier to get to and from the new light rail stop, improve traffic flow in that entire area, and make it safer. 

Shoreline is a financial partner with $12.5 million invested, but this is an expensive, wide ranging project so it would be impossible for Shoreline to go it alone.


Concept drawing for 148th pedestrian bridge
148th Street Pedestrian Bridge

This bridge will go over I-5 and connect residents from the northwest corner of the area (northwest of I-5/145th Street) to the new Light Rail Station.

The link is designed to encourage people to walk or bike to transit and connect to the network of bike trails on both sides of I-5.

Currently the city is in the design phase with construction scheduled for 2022 and completion in 2023. 

The $17 million project has state, county and federal funds. And WSDOT is a partner. WSDOT generally prioritizes safety projects first then projects that will benefit the greatest number of commuters second and other projects last. It’s not clear whether this would be in two categories – safety for pedestrians and ease for future light rail users. This is definitely a wait-and-see project. 

The Lynnwood Link stations appear to be safe
Sound Transit Projects
145th and 185th Link Light Rail Stations


These projects appear to be safe from I-976 cuts. The bonds to build them were issued far enough in advance to be out of reach of this initiative. However, it is always possible that Sound Transit will be forced to retire these bonds early and then the Sound Transit Board will determine how to manage that.

Another project is 145th from I-5 to Lake City Way, also a companion project to Light Light Rail at 145th. This creates Sound Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which is like Metro’s Rapid Ride Program. These east-west corridor connections are key to building out a better transportation system by creating feeders to the north/south link light rail system. 

Bus Rapid Transit - to connect riders from Woodinville
through Kenmore and Lake Forest Park to the
145th station - in jeopardy
This may actually be in jeopardy because bonded funds are NOT already allocated. IF I-976 goes forward and it interpreted in the simplest way, it means: if it’s not currently funded, you can’t do it. At least not now and not with vehicle tab fees. So no Bus Rapid transit.. as yet.

Lake Forest Park Transit Center + Park and Ride Garage

This is another corridor connection project. It brings ST Bus Rapid Transit via SR 522 and 145th Street. It also potentially builds a 300-stall parking structure at Town Center. This project is in jeopardy because it is not currently under construction.

What’s next

On Wednesday, the State Supreme Court decided to let the injunction stand which means car tabs fees remain in place while the court decides whether to hold a full hearing on the constitutionality of the measure or sends it back to the lower court.

Given all this, the facts remain that agencies and organizations have a long list of projects and a lot of decisions to make if I-976 goes forward. It will be up to the legislature, city leaders and the ST board to decide which projects, which bus routes, and which light rail projects are built and which ones are cut, trimmed or delayed.

The Federal Highway Trust Fund that built major infrastructure projects like I-90 and I-5 back in the day is running out of money and will be gone by 2022 unless Congress takes steps to fund it. There is a bill to reauthorize $287 billion by fall 2020.

Sound Transit

According to a spokesperson for Sound Transit,
Following litigation on I-976, if Sound Transit were required to retire existing bonds to enable elimination of the MVET (Motor Vehicle Excise Tax) absorbing the loss of revenues would require the Sound Transit Board to implement delays and/or cuts affecting projects for which the agency has not already issued construction contracts. 
Board direction would determine the degree and distribution of delays and/or cuts on specific projects."


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2019 November election results and the impacts to Shoreline: Shoreline Proposition 1 and I-976

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

From the City of Shoreline

Over the next several months, the City will discuss how the results of the November election will affect our community.

Passage of Initiative 976 (I-976) will place a significant strain on our transportation programs and the wider City budget as we search for ways to absorb the annual loss of more than $1.6 million from the City’s street and sidewalk maintenance and preservation programs. 

Failure of Shoreline Proposition 1 will require the Council and the community to have tough discussions about aquatics programming offered by the City and future investments in parks and City recreation facilities.

Shoreline Proposition 1

With an approval vote of 54%, Shoreline Proposition 1 failed. Because Prop. 1 was a bond measure, it required a 60% approval rate to pass. Over the past several years, hundreds of Shoreline residents have contributed to the discussion on developing the proposed Shoreline Aquatics, Recreation, and Community Center and on making improvements to our parks.

Whether you voted to approve or reject the proposition, we want to thank Shoreline residents for taking the time to learn about the issue, provide their input, and vote. As we work to identify a new path forward that will meet the needs of our growing community, we hope that those who supported and opposed the Proposition stay engaged and continue to contribute to the discussion.

Using the extensive input from the public and taking all the different community needs and interests into account, the Council felt it put the best option forward. Council will now begin to evaluate the results of the election and determine what next steps, if any, they should take regarding future investments in park improvements and the City’s recreation facilities.

Council will need to make some tough decisions regarding the Shoreline Pool. The repairs we made to the Pool in 2015 were meant to be temporary and not last much more than five to seven years.

Even with the $750,000 investment in 2015, the City has been experiencing increasing maintenance costs at the pool as it is over 50 years old and the pool systems and building structure are nearing the end of their useful lives. 

In 2019 alone, the City has seen pool repair costs exceed $125,000. Council will need to evaluate whether it makes economic sense to put further investment into the existing pool, refine options for a new facility, or decide not to provide aquatic programs in the long-term.

Until the School District decides to use the Spartan Recreation Center for other purposes, it will continue to operate as it does today. As the need for repairs arise, Council will have to determine how much to invest in an aging facility we do not own.

State, regional, and local transportation funding face cuts under I-976

Passage of I-976 eliminates Shoreline’s ability to charge a vehicle license fee (VLF) for transportation purposes.


  • In 2009, City Council adopted a $20 VLF to help fund the maintenance of Shoreline streets on a regular schedule. Over time, this has helped us preserve our streets and avoid more costly road replacements that can be the result of deferred maintenance. 
  • Council passed the other $20 VLF in 2018 for the repair and maintenance of our existing sidewalk network. 

I-976 does not affect the new sidewalk sales tax measure approved by Shoreline voters in 2018. The new sidewalk program will be able to move ahead as expected.


The combined fees generated approximately $1.6 million per year. The loss of that funding affects the entire transportation program, as well as other City programs and services, as we will need to find that funding elsewhere in the budget or reduce or eliminate these maintenance programs.

The City Council is already considering nearly $1.3 million in budget holds including delaying equipment purchases, redirecting funds for park improvements, and reallocating projected budget savings towards the City’s annual road surface maintenance program.

Passage of I-976 will also significantly affect State transportation funding, particularly for transit and paratransit. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), working with the State Legislature, will need to make decisions about how to maintain state highways, provide transportation options for individuals with disabilities, and more. State funding for local transportation projects, including ones in Shoreline, may be called into question in the coming months.

I-976 will also cut King County Metro funding, which in turn could affect routes serving Shoreline.

Finally, Sound Transit (ST) has indicated that the impacts to funding from I-976 will be significant as well.

While it is unlikely to impact the 2024 opening of light rail in Shoreline, other ST projects or programs, such as Bus Rapid Transit that is planned to serve our Shoreline South/145th Station, may be affected.

There is yet much to be determined about the impacts of this Initiative. Shoreline staff will be keeping an eye on developments and providing updated Shoreline-related information as we learn it.



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Snohomish County buses will meet light rail at Northgate in 2021

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Public invited to comment on transit ideas for connections with light rail when Northgate Link opens

As Link light rail expands north toward Snohomish County, Community Transit and Sound Transit are exploring bus service changes to connect riders with fast, reliable service to the University of Washington, downtown Seattle and other regional destinations.

The agencies are requesting feedback on a draft plan to connect some commuter routes to the Link Red Line at the new Northgate Station when it opens in 2021. Link light rail trains will depart Northgate every six minutes during peak hours. Travel time on Link from Northgate to the U District is expected to take six minutes; Northgate to downtown Seattle will take 14 minutes.

Potential changes to Snohomish County bus service include:
  • ST Express routes 510, 511, 512 and 513 that currently run between Snohomish County and downtown Seattle would connect to Link at Northgate instead. The shorter, more reliable bus trips would run more often as a result, including more midday and weekend service.
  • Community Transit routes 810, 821, 855, 860, 871 and 880 that currently run to the University of Washington campus would connect to Link at Northgate instead. The shorter, more reliable bus trips would run more often as a result, including more midday and afternoon service.

Community Transit 400 series buses serving downtown Seattle would continue service unchanged, as would the Sound Transit Sounder train service between Everett and Seattle.

King County Metro Transit will change bus service to connect to new Link stations. Changes to service may occur in North Seattle, U-District, Shoreline, Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Woodinville.

Metro expects to invite public feedback on concepts for change in January 2020. Find out more on Metro’s North Link Connections webpage.

The public is invited to learn more about the Link Connections: Northgate bus restructure project and provide comments via an online open house through Dec. 31, 2019. People can visit northgate.participate.online to learn more.

Community Transit and Sound Transit will also conduct in-person outreach at locations throughout Snohomish County. Select outreach events are listed on the online open house webpage.

The agencies will consider the feedback they receive to refine the plan, which they will present to the public in the spring of 2020. The Sound Transit and Community Transit boards of directors will approve the final proposal in the summer of 2020.

More information about Northgate Link here



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Statement from Council Chair Dembowski, Transit Union President, Kenmore Mayor on Passage of Tim Eyman’s I-976

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Rob Dembowski is the county rep for
north end cities including Shoreline, Kenmore,
and Lake Forest Park

King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 President Ken Price, and Kenmore Mayor and Sound Transit Boardmember David Baker issued the following statements on Tim Eyman’s I-976, which though passing statewide in early results, was rejected by King County voters:

King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski:

“King County voters sent a clear message that they want to continue investments in transit and critical local transportation infrastructure. At a time of record demands for service, we can’t afford to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in transit and transportation projects in King County.
“At King County we stand ready to consider all options to prevent Metro service bus cuts that will cause further congestion on our roadways, diminish service to our most vulnerable riders on Access paratransit, and delay the electrification of Metro’s fleet. 
Further, I believe as a regional government, we should work closely with our city partners to look at restoring funding for critical infrastructure projects like sidewalks, pothole repair, and streets. While I-976 is a roadblock, I am committed to immediately going to work to mitigate the worst of its impacts.”

ATU Local 587 President Ken Price

“The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 is proud to be on the front lines of the nation’s top transit system, delivering excellent customer service to the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on Metro each day to get them to work, school, and their doctor’s appointments. 
We are ready and willing to work to prevent harm to our transit system, our riders, and our dedicated employees, caused by the passage of I-976.”

Kenmore Mayor and Sound Transit Boardmember David Baker:

“Cities in King County are now facing significant holes in our roads and sidewalk budgets. I welcome Councilmember Dembowski’s offer to work regionally with city partners to address this challenge and look forward to working together to explore all options consistent with local voters’ desire to avoid decimating our transit and transportation budgets.”

Background:

Councilmember Dembowski was the author and prime sponsor of King County Ordinance 2013‑0527.2, which created King County’s Transportation Benefit District. The District offers one path to mitigate the lost revenues from I-976, with voter approval of any revenue proposal recommended by the District. The governing board for the District is comprised of the members of the Metropolitan King County Council.



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Shoreline's Prop 1 and Tim Eyman's car tabs initiative

By Diane Hettrick

Tim Eyman's initiative 976 to reduce car tabs to $30 is passing statewide with 55% of the votes in the first returns. The only counties where it is failing are King, Jefferson on the Olympic Peninsula, and Whatcom.

Because it is a state-wide initiative, it removes the ability of individual cities to fund local transportation projects with fees on car tabs.

If this trend continues it will have a devastating effect on local projects, like maintaining roads in Lake Forest Park, and building new sidewalks in Shoreline.

In Shoreline's Prop 1, to fund a municipal swimming pool and recreation center, the initial returns are as divided as the citizens have been on this controversial project.

In the first returns, the Yes vote is 4446 and the No vote is 4042, a difference of 404 votes.

The next returns will be released on Wednesday at 4pm.



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I-976 would severely limit Shoreline and Lake Forest Park's road maintenance projects and Shoreline sidewalks

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

LFP Public Works conducting proactive street repair
cutting out alligator cracking and asphalting the patch.
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park


Initiative Measure No. 976 concerns motor vehicle taxes and fees. This measure would repeal, reduce, or remove authority to impose certain vehicle taxes and fees; limit annual motor-vehicle license fees to $30 and base vehicles taxes on Kelley Blue Book value.

According to Ballotpedia, "Tim Eyman has proposed, has sponsored, or was otherwise involved with initiatives every year since at least 1998. Most of all, his initiatives concerned two subjects: taxes and transportation. A recurrent initiative sponsored by Eyman through the years concerns $30 car tabs (vehicle license fees)." This year he has I-976.

What are the taxes on the license fees?

The taxes included in the license fees are related to transportation - road maintenance and reconstruction in LFP, and pavement maintenance and sidewalk repairs in Shoreline. There are funds for Sound Transit and Metro Transit.

What happens if I-976 passes?

If the initiative passes, the result would be a loss of $430,000 per year to Lake Forest Park's Transportation Capital Fund. This loss would represent a 52% reduction in revenue for this fund, a loss the City could not absorb and would have to find funding elsewhere. It would severely limit the City’s ability to maintain roads.

In Shoreline, passage of I-976 would significantly impact funding for street and sidewalk preservation and maintenance projects.

In 2009, Council implemented a $20 VLF to fund pavement preservation of our streets. In 2018, they implemented an additional $20 VLF to pay for the repair and maintenance of our sidewalk network. That money would disappear.

In 2020, the combined VLFs are estimated to generate approximately $1,660,000. However, while the VLFs currently only fund those two programs, the loss of $1,660,000 per year would impact the entire transportation program as Shoreline would need to find that funding elsewhere in the budget.

Other impacts

There is potential loss to other projects that may rely on state funding. Cities may lose other general state transportation funding as the state tries to make up its loss in funding by limiting funding to local jurisdictions.

--Diane Hettrick



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Plan on public transportation for major sports events including this weekend

Friday, October 18, 2019

Sounder trains start at Everett and stop in Edmonds
By Diane Hettrick

Sounder event trains run to every major sporting event in the downtown Seattle stadiums and Husky stadium. Catch the train at the Edmonds waterfront.

Sports fans can skip traffic coming into Seattle on Saturday by riding Sound Transit’s Sounder event trains to the Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas 12:30 p.m. match. Read more »

Seattle Seahawks fans can save on travel time, parking and gas by taking Sound Transit’s popular Sounder trains to the Seahawks 1:25 p.m. game Sunday, October 20 against the Baltimore Ravens. Read more » 

Metro Transit always schedules game day busses. Best place to catch them is the Northgate transfer station just south of the mall. 





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Tolling in the SR 99 tunnel starts Nov 9

Friday, October 11, 2019

Tolling in the SR 99 tunnel will start on November 9, 2019. 

Travelers are urged to get ready now to avoid the last minute rush before tolling starts.

Check out the WSDOT blog and video to find out everything you need to know to get Good To Go! for SR 99 tolling.

A Good To Go!pass is the only way to pay the lowest toll rates in the tunnel ranging between $1 and $2.25 depending on the time of day.

Without a Good To Go! account, those same tolls will cost $2 more for each trip. We’re giving out a limited number of free Good To Go! sticker passes while supplies last at 99tunnel.com.

All existing Good To Go! passes will work in the SR 99 tunnel – so if you already have a pass in your vehicle, you’re all set.


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Got a Chinook Book? Help a Shoreline Student in need

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Did you purchase a Chinook Book last year and the coupons are about to expire?
 
Inside the book there are two King County Metro Bus ticket coupons (located on the first page of the travel and recreation section) 

If you are thinking of tossing your book, but you have not used your metro bus tickets yet, please consider donating your bus tickets to students and families in need. 

At Shorewood High School we have many students and families who struggle to pay for transportation. We would greatly appreciate your unused bus tickets so that we can ease their burden a little bit. 

You can mail the bus tickets to:
Shorewood High School
Family Advocate
17300 Fremont Ave N
Shoreline WA 98133

For more information please contact: erin.maurer@shorelineschools.org



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Transportation Commission approves ferry fare increases

Friday, August 9, 2019

Photo courtesy WSDOT
The Washington State Transportation Commission adopted increases to our current ferry fares

Fares will go up 2.5 percent for vehicles and 2 percent for passengers on October 1, 2019, and again on May 1, 2020. 

All fares will also go up 25 cents on May 1, 2020, for the capitol surcharge dedicated to the construction of new vessels. 

The WSTC also authorized an increase in the reservation no-show fee up to 100 percent of the one-way fare paid, based on a standard-sized vehicle. No decisions have been made yet about this increase, and any decisions will be dependent on further community feedback.

Fares are going up to ensure $407 million in revenue by June 30, 2021, as required in the recently passed two-year state transportation budget.



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Sounder trains to run for Saturday Sounders FC match, Sunday Mariners game

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Sounder train
Sports fans can skip traffic coming into Seattle this weekend by riding Sound Transit's Sounder event trains to the Sounders FC vs. Sporting KC 1pm match Saturday and the Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays 1:10pm game Sunday. 

The stadium-bound train from the north will depart Edmonds at 11:11am. Return trains depart King Street Station 35 minutes after the game. Both trains will serve all stops along the routes.

A complete schedule of Sounder service to select Sounders FC and Mariners games this season is available here.

Special Sounder service is in addition to regular Link light rail service to and from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields. Link runs every 10 minutes on Saturday and Sunday and serves stations at the University of Washington, on Capitol Hill, in downtown Seattle, SODO. Link's Stadium and International District stations are a short walk from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields.

Many King County Metro buses also drop off passengers near the stadiums. Link and ST Express bus schedules are available here. King County Metro bus schedules can be found here.

Sounder riders can avoid the lines for the ticket vending machines going home by paying for the return trip with the purchase of a Day Pass

One-way tickets and Day Passes can also be purchased with the Transit GO Ticket app. 

Another way to skip lines at ticket vending machines is by getting an ORCA card. Cards only cost $5 for adults, plus whatever amount a rider chooses to load in the card's E-purse or the cost of a pass that is good for unlimited transit trips. ORCA works on trains, buses and ferries throughout the region.



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Sending a ferry through the Locks

Friday, August 2, 2019

The Elwha just barely clears the sides
Photo courtesy WSDOT


Ferry fans lined Seattle’s Lake Washington Ship Canal Monday morning, July 29, 2019 to witness an unusual sight (see video) as one of our iconic ferries sailed through! 

Tugboats guided the 144-car Super-class Elwha from the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island to the Lake Union Drydock Company where it will undergo repairs on its deck steel.

During its journey, the vessel passed through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, then under the Ballard, Fremont and Aurora bridges, before entering Lake Union.



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Military personnel ride transit free during Fleet Week Jul 29 - Aug 4

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Photo courtesy Seafair


Sound Transit will continue its annual Seafair tradition of honoring members of the military by providing free transit service July 29 to August 4.

During Seafair Fleet Week, members and former members of the Armed Forces, including active duty, veterans and retirees, can ride free on Link light rail, Sounder commuter trains and Sound Transit Express buses.

Service members not in uniform are asked to show their military identification to the transit operator upon boarding a bus or train, or to fare inspectors if requested. Valid forms of military I.D. include a Uniformed Identification Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card or a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Form (also referred to as a DD-214).

Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy are docked at piers along the Seattle waterfront for the public to tour and enjoy. More information on Fleet Week and the Parade of Ships is available here.

All customers riding Sound Transit to Seafair activities should plan ahead and allow plenty of time for traffic delays and road closures. Visit Sound Transit's alerts page for the latest information.



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Fall ferry vehicle reservations available Tuesday

Friday, July 26, 2019

Photo courtesy WSDOT
The first round of vehicle reservations for fall ferry sailings will go live at 7am Tuesday, July 30.
 
If you are planning ahead for trips on the Anacortes / San Juan Islands / Sidney, British Columbia or Port Townsend / Coupeville routes between September 29, 2019 and January 4, 2020 – set your alarms.

It's not your only chance. 

While the first tier opens Monday, the second tier of reservations opens two weeks before each specific sailing and the final 30 percent becomes available two days before.


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Sounder trains to run for Mariners game Sunday

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Sounder Train

Sounder trains to run for Sunday Mariners game

Fans can avoid weekend traffic congestion and ride hassle-free
Sports fans can skip traffic coming into Seattle on Sunday, July 28 by riding Sound Transit’s Sounder event trains to the Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers 1:10pm game.

The stadium-bound train from the north will depart Edmonds at 11:11am. Return trains depart King Street Station 35 minutes after the game. Both trains will serve all stops along the routes.
A complete schedule of Sounder service to select Mariners games this season is available here

Special Sounder service is in addition to regular Link light rail service to and from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields. Link runs every 10 minutes on Saturday and Sunday from the University of Washington. Link’s Stadium and International District stations are a short walk from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields.

Many ST Express and King County Metro buses also drop off passengers near the stadiums. King County Metro bus schedules can be found here.

Sounder riders can avoid the lines for the ticket vending machines going home by paying for the return trip with the purchase of a Day Pass. One-way tickets and Day Passes can also be purchased with the Transit GO Ticket app.

Another way to skip lines at ticket vending machines is by getting an ORCA card. Cards only cost $5 for adults, plus whatever amount a rider chooses to load in the card’s E-purse or the cost of a pass that is good for unlimited transit trips. ORCA works on trains, buses and ferries throughout the region. More information is available at orcacard.com.


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Road overlay projects in Lake Forest Park

Monday, July 15, 2019

Vegetation control is ongoing throughout the city
but particularly important for streets schedule for overlay
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park


Each year the City of Lake Forest Park participates in the King County North Overlay Project. This year the LFP overlay will start Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

The City of Lake Forest Park will be overlaying:
  • Forest Park Dr NE 196th St Ballinger Way NE
  • 26th Ave NE Forest Park Dr NE NE 185th St
  • NE 188th St/25th Ave NE 26th Ave NE South EOR

The overlay will take place in four main phases:
  • Phase One is vegetation management/shoulder restoration. The streets will have vegetation trimmed back so the trucks and equipment can make it through the areas safely as well as any shoulder restoration to make a smooth transition for the asphalt to be laid.
  • Phase Two is grinding. The grinders will grind small areas to assure the mat for the old and new areas are smooth. This is known as the “marriage lines”. There will only be momentary delays for traffic entering these areas. Grinding will may take less than 2 day to complete.
  • Phase Three is the paving. The pavers will place approximately 2 inches of new hot mix asphalt on the existing street surface, joining the side street’s asphalt at the marriage lines. There may be delays of 30 minutes to allow the new asphalt to cool before vehicles drive on it. Paving will take 3 to 5 days to complete depending on weather and other construction factors.
  • Phase Four is the replacement of street surface markings. The traffic markings are painted down in dry weather. There should be only momentary delays as the paint trucks make their way down the street. Markings should take no more than 2 days to complete.
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park


Dated 'No Parking' barricades will be placed by the contractor for both the grinding and the paving. Please be aware of the temporary parking restrictions. Cars parked along in the restricted times will result in project delays and will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping city staff maintain our city streets.

For more information call Lake Forest Park’s Public Works Department 206-368-5440 Ext. 125.



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