SEATTLE – Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Maintenance crews spent the night applying deicer and anti-icer to major arterials, elevated roadways and bridges, and known trouble spots along the snow route network. Despite an early morning snowfall, thus far, the roads south of the ship canal are bare and wet and are also in relatively good shape in the northwest sector of the city. Nevertheless, crews are patrolling those areas applying anti-icer where necessary. The morning snowfall primarily accumulated on streets, and especially hills, in the northeast section of the city - east of Aurora. SDOT trucks are applying anti-icer, deicer, and also plowing the snow where needed. SDOT's Street Maintenance crews will be working throughout the day to ensure safe driving conditions on the city's key roadways, particularly on routes used by buses and emergency response vehicles.

Motorists are advised to use added caution and be watchful for black ice. For up-to-date information on SDOT's response activities and roadway conditions, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/winterweather.htm . Up to the minute driving conditions can be seen on: http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers.

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SEATTLE – Seattle residents frequently ask the City who owns the trees along the street where they live, what kind of trees they are and whose responsibility it is to maintain them. Residents can now obtain that information using a new web-based map showing most of Seattle’s street trees. This access to the City’s tree inventory is timely because the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is in the midst of drafting an ordinance that will aid in regulating and managing street trees.

The data shown on the new map comes from an inventory first compiled in 1992. The information has been updated several times as more trees were planted, and SDOT’s work continues. Of the estimated 140,000 street trees in the city, 122,000 are now included in the inventory. In addition to the map, the Web site lists additional information about many of the individual trees: the common and scientific name, the diameter of the trunk, the street address, the party responsible for maintenance, the date the tree was planted or inventoried, and the date that the tree was last checked by a city arborist.

“Our new Web page is a great place to start to get general information about your neighborhood’s trees,” says Nolan Rundquist, city arborist. “The public can also help add to this inventory by providing information about nearby trees not listed on the map.”  Rundquist did caution, however, that residents should remember to contact SDOT’s Urban Forestry office at 206-684-TREE (8733) to verify the on-line information before taking serious action with any particular tree. 

Curious about the trees listed on your street? You can find the map at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/treeinventory.htm.  To help provide more information about a tree near you that is not in the Urban Forestry inventory, please visit:  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/tree_add.htm.

The Seattle Department of Transportation is seeking community feedback regarding protecting and preserving street trees. A street tree is defined as any tree growing in a city right-of-way, whether it is improved or unproved.  In 2007 SDOT, together with nine other city departments, contributed to the development of Seattle’s first strategic plan for managing the urban forest.  The  Urban Forest Management Plan sets forth the goal of achieving 30 percent tree canopy cover by 2037 to increase the environmental, social, and economic benefits that trees bring to Seattle residents.  The Street Tree Ordinance is one of the tools that can help the city ensure that this goal is achieved.

The proposed ordinance will address tree protection and preservation; restrictions on tree removal; requirements for replacements; new requirements for private tree companies; and will strengthen penalties for violations. The proposed draft ordinance and the Street Tree Manual can be viewed on the Urban Forestry website: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/treeordinance.htm

The first community meeting was held last night at the Highpoint Community Center and four more meetings are currently scheduled:

Wednesday, December 14
Van Asselt Community Center
2820 S Myrtle Street
 
Thursday, December 15
Miller Community Center
330 19th Ave E
 
Monday, January 9
Meadowbrook Community Center
10517 35th Ave NE
Room 22

Wednesday, January 11
Ballard Community Center
6020 28th Ave NW
Sunset Room

With winter storm plans readied, salt stockpiled and equipment prepped, Mayor Mike McGinn today announced the City of Seattle is preparing for another season of La Nina winter weather.

"If tested by colder temperatures and more precipitation, we are ready to respond and keep arterial streets clear," said McGinn. "Across City departments and in coordination with other agencies, we have completed our winter response preparations and stand ready to act."

McGinn also unveiled the City's new Winter Weather Response webpage, which allows residents to track where plows have been and check current street conditions. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will activate the website during snow storms. It will include a map of winter weather routes; provide plow data for the previous one-, three- and 12-hour periods; and display nearby traffic cameras. Residents will be able to access the website via SDOT's homepage: www.seattle.gov/transportation/.

Seattle's response aims to keep major roads open, buses moving and critical emergency services accessible during snow and ice storms. In line with industry best practices, SDOT will stay ahead of storms by pre-treating streets with salt brine before snow falls to reduce snow’s ability to stick to streets and using salt during storms to melt snow more quickly. The plan, which has been used with success over the past two winter seasons, was designed in consultation with emergency services, transit providers and key partners such as area hospitals.

SDOT has 26 plows and four anti-icing/de-icing trucks ready to respond. The department has stockpiled 2,200 tons of salt and 46,500 gallons of salt brine and has already conducted a full exercise with its plow fleet. To learn more about the winter storm plan and view the snow map, visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/winterweather.htm.

Other storm season enhancements include implementing SnowWatch, a new weather tool that tracks and forecasts snowfall at the neighborhood level, converting to a more effective salt brine solution (magnesium chloride) for anti-icing and de-icing work, and completing internal agreements to provide SDOT's snow fleet with additional drivers from other departments if needed.

With an emphasis on emergency response during winter storms, the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department have snow chains ready and alternate response routes planned so personnel can effectively respond to emergency and general calls during adverse weather.

As Seattle's winter storms most often bring rain, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has been preparing by inspecting nearly 16,000 catch basins, pumping out over 4,000 catch basins and cleaning more than 164 miles of pipes. SPU will again use RainWatch to track storms and forecast precipitation at the neighborhood level, and is ready with its Urban Flood Response Plan in case of heavy rainfall. The public can assist by participating in SPU’s Adopt-A-Drain program, which helps keep the City’s 78,000 street drains clear of debris and reduces flooding during heavy rain and snow. More information about this program is available at: www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Drainage_&_Sewer/Keep_Water_Safe_&_Clean/AdoptADrain/index.htm.

Businesses and residents are reminded of their responsibility to shovel sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Clear walkways are important for safe pedestrian travel across neighborhoods during and after storms. Seattleites should prepare before the winter season by purchasing a snow shovel and salt to keep their sidewalks clear.

To help residents better prepare for the upcoming season, helpful winter tips and advice are available at the Take Winter by Storm website: http://takewinterbystorm.org/.

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Office of the Mayor

NOTE:  A media availability session with James Corner will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Bell Harbor Conference Center, Pier 66 - Elliott Hall (entrance off Alaskan Way), 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle.

This week’s demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s south mile is a sign that change on Seattle’s waterfront is underway. Waterfront Seattle is hosting events this week for the public to learn the latest about the new waterfront design, share their ideas, and bring their children to Waterfront Park for a photo booth and trick-or-treating at the Seattle Aquarium.

A new waterfront will include something for everyone–new public spaces, opportunities to enjoy the water's edge, walking and viewing areas, new connections, public art and more. Participation in these events is a great way for the entire community to help shape the future of our waterfront.

October 27 public event – “Experience the Waterfront”

This Thursday evening, join Waterfront Seattle for a design update and idea sharing event. The event begins at 5 p.m., with live music from Silicon Girls, a VERA project band, and local favorite food trucks Curry Now, Marination Mobile and Molly Moon's Ice Cream. At 6:30 p.m. lead designer James Corner will present the latest design ideas for the waterfront. A live question and answer session with the designers and interactive feedback stations for the community to share ideas will follow the presentation. This event is free and open to all.

Thursday, October 27
5 to 9 p.m.
Bell Harbor Conference Center, Pier 66 - Elliott Hall
2211 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Kids and family photo booth

This weekend Waterfront Seattle will host a “picture yourself on the future waterfront” photo booth at Waterfront Park. This event is aimed at families that may be participating in Trick-or-Treat at the Aquarium or visiting waterfront businesses. The photo booth is free and open to all and costumes are welcome.

Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Waterfront Park, near the Aquarium entrance

Waterfront Seattle is a partnership between the City of Seattle and the entire community to create a dynamic new public waterfront, covering 26 blocks between King Street and the Olympic Sculpture Park.  The project is led by the Seattle Departments of Transportation, Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, and the Central Waterfront Committee.

SEATTLE—Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reminds travelers of two upcoming traffic changes for the East Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project beginning Tuesday, October 25:

Ninth Avenue N re-opening to traffic

Ninth Avenue N between Aloha Street and Republican Street is scheduled to re-open to through traffic beginning October 25. During the closure, crews successfully:

•Replaced a nearly 100-year old sewer line between Aloha Street and Republican Street
•Updated all in-street utilities including undergrounding of electrical power and private communications lines, and replacement of water mains, storm drainage lines, and gas lines
•Rebuilt the roadway and sidewalks, installed irrigation lines and street light foundations in preparation for new landscaping and streetlights

Please note the re-opened Ninth Avenue N will be temporarily configured to one northbound lane and two southbound lanes while crews work to build the new Mercer Street lanes north of the existing lanes. In 2013, Ninth Avenue N will be reconfigured into its permanent design, which includes a newly signalized intersection at Ninth Avenue N and Westlake Avenue N.

Westlake Avenue N closed between Mercer Street and Valley Street

Westlake Avenue N between Mercer Street and Valley Street is scheduled to be closed to traffic beginning October 25 to allow underground utility installations and construction of new Mercer Street lanes crossing Westlake Avenue N.

•Overnight on Monday, October 24, crews are scheduled to complete detour striping and temporary signal installation to accommodate implementing this closure.
•Traffic will be able to access businesses on Westlake Avenue N and right turns from northbound Westlake Avenue N onto Mercer Street will be permitted. This right turn lane will be signed for I-5 access only.
•Northbound Westlake Avenue N traffic from the city center will be detoured at Republican Street to Ninth Avenue N. Southbound Westlake Avenue N traffic will also use Ninth Avenue N.
•This configuration will be in place for several months while crews build new Mercer Street lanes across Westlake Avenue N.

Detour route maps for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to King County Metro bus stop locations are available on the project website at:  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm.

SEATTLE – This Friday the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will formally release the 2010 Traffic Report, outlining data collected on traffic volumes, collision rates and enforcement within Seattle. In support of this public release, Acting City Traffic Engineer Brian Kemper will conduct a media briefing to explain the report’s data and review current trends.

Date: Friday, October 21
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Room 3832
Seattle Department of Transportation
38th Floor, Seattle Municipal Tower
700 Fifth Avenue

Copies of the report will be available to the media at the briefing.

SEATTLE—Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announces two upcoming milestones for the East Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project:

Ninth Avenue N Re-opens to Traffic

Ninth Avenue N from Aloha Street to Republican Street is tentatively scheduled to re-open to through traffic beginning October 25, weather permitting. During the closure crews successfully:

-Replaced a nearly 100-year old sewer line between Aloha Street and Republican Street
-Updated all in-street utilities including undergrounding of electrical power and private communications lines, and replacement of water mains, storm drainage lines and gas lines
-Rebuilt the roadway and sidewalks, installed irrigation lines and street light foundations in preparation for new landscaping and streetlights

The re-opened Ninth Avenue N will be temporarily configured to one northbound lane and two southbound lanes while crews work to build the new Mercer Street lanes north of the existing roadway. In 2013, Ninth Avenue N will be reconfigured to its final design, which includes a newly signalized intersection at Ninth Avenue N and Westlake Avenue N.

Westlake Avenue N Closed between Mercer Street and Valley Street

Westlake Avenue N between Mercer Street and Valley Street is tentatively scheduled to be closed to traffic beginning October 25 to allow underground utility installations and the construction of new Mercer Street lanes crossing Westlake Avenue N.

-Overnight on Monday, October 24, crews are scheduled to complete detour striping and temporary signal installation to accommodate this closure. Please note this work is weather dependant
-Traffic will be able to access businesses on Westlake Avenue N and right turns from northbound Westlake Avenue N onto Mercer Street will be permitted. This right turn lane will be signed for I-5 access only.
-Northbound Westlake Avenue N traffic from the city center will be detoured at Republican Street to Ninth Avenue N. Southbound Westlake Avenue N traffic will also use Ninth Avenue N.
-This configuration will be in place for several months while crews build new Mercer Street lanes across Westlake Avenue N

Detour route maps for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, in addition to King County Metro bus stop locations, are available on the project website at:  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm.

SEATTLE – With the nine-day closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct only four days away, the City of Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King County Metro Transit and the Port of Seattle are urging drivers and transit users to plan ahead to avoid significant traffic disruptions. Highlighting the technology being used to monitor and aggressively manage traffic during the work, the partner agencies encourage travelers to take advantage of new systems that can help make trips easier.

SR 99 will be closed for nine full days from 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, through 5 a.m. Monday, October 31, for demolition and construction work, leaving drivers without one of the city’s two north-south freeways.

As part of closure preparations, Mayor Mike McGinn today unveiled an upgrade to the city’s Traveler's Information Map that adds cameras streaming live for 12 locations citywide. The pilot program allows viewers to see real-time video of traffic conditions at key road locations. The mayor also announced the activation this week of a new traffic responsive corridor on Aurora Avenue N, adding to the four currently operating, which will automatically sense traffic conditions and adjust signal timing for better flow. These are among many improvements collectively taken to keep people, goods and services moving through Seattle as construction on the south end of the Alaska Way Viaduct gets underway this Friday.

"Our technology investments will help transit riders and drivers have better information, and get to their destinations easier during this major closure," said Mayor McGinn. "Especially with the Traveler's Information Map and its streaming video, residents and businesses can plan before they leave and make the best decision on their route or means of getting to their destination."

WSDOT, in partnership with Metro Transit and the City of Seattle, recognized the potential effects of closures during viaduct replacement construction and invested $125 million in projects designed to keep traffic moving. A portion of this investment funded new electronic driver information signs on I-5, SR 99 and other major routes leading to downtown.

"It is essential WSDOT and its partner agencies work together to provide accurate real-time information to the public," said Matt Preedy, Alaskan Way Viaduct deputy program administrator. "WSDOT's emergency operations center and SDOT's traffic management center will stay in close contact and use traffic cameras to actively monitor traffic conditions during the nine-day viaduct closure. We will pass on information to drivers via new electronic message boards along the SR 99 and I-5 corridors through Seattle."

WSDOT assisted Metro in expanding the downtown and West Seattle bus-monitoring system by adding 21 new readers and modifying eight existing readers. This system allows Metro to monitor bus travel times throughout the corridor to better understand delays from construction activities. The readers were placed in strategic locations to measure changes in transit travel times.

"Metro is using a new bus monitoring system during the viaduct closure that allows our Transit Control Center to more accurately track transit travel times," said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. "With this, we can watch how bus routes are affected during major disruptions so that we can make better schedule adjustments in the future. It also helps our control center know where to deploy extra buses during the viaduct closure."

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has been building a robust Intelligent Transportation System throughout Seattle over the past few years in anticipation of large construction events like the viaduct closure. The system includes: 22 dynamic message signs along roadways; 146 closed-circuit cameras to detect congestion and accidents; traffic responsive technology on five corridors to respond to traffic conditions (Elliott Ave W/15th Ave W, First Ave S, Fourth Ave S, E Marginal Way and Aurora Ave N); and the Traffic Management Center.

The city's camera upgrade is considered a pilot program while the city monitors the impacts to its internet service. If this 12 camera pilot program is a success, the enhanced feature will continue after October Alaskan Way Viaduct construction concludes. The following locations have live streaming available:

The Traveler's Information Map is available on SDOT's home page or by visiting http://www.seattle.gov/travelers.

The seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct carries thousands of vehicles to and from downtown Seattle, two major stadiums and the Port of Seattle each day. To keep drivers safe and the economy moving, the southern section between S King and S Holgate streets is being replaced with a new side-by-side roadway that meets current seismic standards. For more information, visit the project web site at http://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/HolgateToKing/ViaductNineDayClosure.htm.

For transit options about getting around during the closure and on-going construction, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/getyouthere.

SEATTLE—Starting next week, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will hold a series of open houses on the Transit Master Plan (TMP). The open houses will be an opportunity to learn about and comment on the City’s vision for top quality, frequent transit services over the next 20 years.

Open house dates and locations:

• October 18 at Seattle Vocational Institute (2120 S Jackson St)
• October 25 at Aljoya Thornton Creek (450 NE 100th St)
• October 26 at West Seattle Eagles Hall (4426 California Ave SW)
• November 15 at Ballard High School (1418 NW 65th St)
• November 17 at New Holly Gathering Hall (7054 32nd Ave S)

All meetings will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and will begin with a brief presentation and overview of the evening. Attendees will then be able to learn about the project, talk to staff, ask questions, and provide comments. Each meeting will cover the same information. Detailed directions can be found at www.seattle.gov/transportation/tmp_outreach.htm.

SDOT released the TMP draft summary report in late September (available at www.seattle.gov/transportation/transitmasterplan.htm).

After this series of open houses, SDOT staff will present an outreach summary and revised report to the Mayor and City Council. The Council will then adopt a final plan in early 2012.

SEATTLE – The City of Seattle and its agency partners will speak about new technology in place to help manage traffic during the upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, October 21 to October 31.

Date:    Monday, October 17
Time:    10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Place:   Traffic Management Center
Seattle Department of Transportation
37th Floor, Seattle Municipal Tower
700 Fifth Avenue

Speakers:
Mike McGinn, City of Seattle mayor
Kevin Desmond, King County Metro general manager
Matt Preedy, WSDOT South End Projects director
Anne Porter, Alaskan Way Viaduct Closure project manager, Port of Seattle

Mayor McGinn will announce new tools available through the SDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems program that can help keep drivers and transit riders informed about conditions, and improve traffic flow.

Regional transportation officials will outline how agencies are working together to help travelers move around Seattle during the nine-day closure.

SDOT managers will be on hand to explain details and answer questions about managing traffic on city streets. 

Opportunities will be available to secure footage of the Traffic Management Center in operation.

SEATTLE—Wait times for buses serving the northbound stop at Third Avenue and Pine Street are now available to bus riders via a large T.V. screen located in the northwest window of Macy’s.  Installed by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the T.V. means passengers no longer need a smart phone to access “OneBusAway” real time bus arrival information. The improvement is just one of many coming to this popular stop where over 2,500 passengers get on and off buses every weekday. This first feature was installed early as an added amenity that shoppers and others will find particularly useful during the upcoming holiday season.

Next year, SDOT and King County Metro Transit (Metro) will extend the bus stop north, past Macy’s loading docks, making room for the increasing number of buses serving this stop in the future. The sidewalk will also be widened by six and a half feet creating more room for pedestrians and passengers and new lighting, trees and railings will be installed. Delivery trucks will continue to have easy access to Macy’s loading dock. Loading dock access is restricted during peak travel times.

“OneBusAway” was developed by UW Computer Science and Civil Engineering graduate students and is now being maintained by Metro.  Buses rerouted unexpectedly due to weather, traffic, road or other conditions can cause inaccurate results in bus tracking applications. If you have questions about the status of transit service in Seattle, please call King County Metro Transit at (206) 553-3000.
Find more information on SDOT efforts to improve transit at www.seattle.gov/transportation/transit.htm.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today that Bridging the Gap (BTG) met its first nine-year goal by completing five bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects. This five project goal, a commitment made to voters as part of the levy, was achieved with the on-time and under budget completion of the East Marginal Way and South Horton Street Bridge. Having achieved this in less than five years, SDOT will soon begin work on another bridge replacement project, the Airport Way S Viaduct over Argo Railroad Yard, and will explore adding two additional structures before the levy expires in 2015.

“SDOT met this Bridging the Gap goal by rehabilitating and replacing five bridges in half the time allotted,” said SDOT Director Peter Hahn. “This is another sign that Seattle’s transportation department is investing BTG funds wisely and aggressively addressing maintenance backlog issues like roads, signs and bridges.”

Located at East Marginal Way and S Horton Street, the fifth bridge was recently completed on-time and under its four million dollar budget. This particular bridge was one of the remaining timber pile supported structures in the city. It was completely demolished, the cavity filled and a new asphalt roadway was constructed. The project team worked closely with the Port of Seattle to keep freight traffic moving in the area through a bypass road across port property. 
  
During the first four and a half years of BTG, $34 million has been invested to replace or rehabilitate some of Seattle’s most vulnerable bridges. The projects completed are: the East Duwamish Waterway Bridge, the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, the NE 45th Street Viaduct, the 15th Avenue NE at NE 105th Street Bridge, and the East Marginal Way and South Horton Street Bridge.

In addition to these five projects, work begins this fall on the Airport Way South Viaduct over Argo Railroad Yard with replacement of the north and south approaches, seismic upgrades to the main span and a new driving surface for the span and neighboring streets. This bridge provides a key connection to Georgetown and is vital to moving people and freight to and from south Seattle. Design work is underway on two additional bridges – Yesler Way over Fourth Avenue South and the last remaining timber roadway bridge, located along Fairview Avenue North. SDOT will determine soon if sufficient BTG resources remain to address these additional two bridges.

In addition to the Rehabilitation and Replacement Program, BTG provided funding to help seismically retrofit five key bridges. The program has completed work on South Albro over Airport Way and work is beginning on the Fauntleroy Expressway, with a total investment of $5.5 million on these two projects. Seismic work is also expected to begin on four bridges that are elevated and connect the network of roadways in the King Street Station area in 2012. 

Versión en español

SEATTLE — On September 16, cities around the globe, artists and community members are temporarily transforming parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called "PARK(ing) Day."

This year, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Latino City Employees with the help of Feet First are creating a park to raise awareness about important issues like creating a walkable, livable, healthy city and to kick-off the Latino Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). We will have lawn games, chairs, music, and information about the City’s Race and Social Justice Intiative, SDOT services, and events to celebrate the Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month. Downtown employees and residents are invited to bring a lunch and join us on Fifth Avenue between Columbia and Marion in front of the Bank of America building between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2010 included more than 800 “PARK” installations in more than 180 cities in 30 countries on six continents. This year, the project continues to expand to urban centers across the globe.

PARK(ing) Day is an open-source user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative and social causes that are relevant to their local urban conditions. More information regarding local PARK(ing) Day activities can be found at http://feetfirst.info/content/parking-day and a global map of all participating cities is available on the PARK(ing) Day website, at parkingday.org.  For more information about the event, please contact Sonia Palma (206) 684-4107.

SDOT website: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation
LCE website: http://www.seattle.gov/latinoheritage/

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The purpose of the Latino City Employees organization is to encourage professional excellence, provide resources and to advocate the objectives of Latino City Employees.

About Rebar (www.rebargroup.org). Founded in 2004 in San Francisco, Rebar is an internationally recognized art and design studio operating at the intersection of art, design and ecology.