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Tunnel Endorsed by Maritime Trades
A regional coalition of maritime trade unions gave a key endorsement this week to the proposal to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bore tunnel.
The endorsement was announced Monday by the Puget Sound Ports Council which represents 14 unions for sailors, mates, marine engineers and shipyard workers.
The endorsement is conditioned on city and state transportation planners finding ways to maintain access for north and south Seattle business operations that presently rely on the Alaskan Way Viaduct as a through route. Access issues must be addressed during environmental review of the deep bore option.
A bill supporting the deep bore tunnel is pending before the Washington State Legislature's House Transportation Committee. It cleared the state Senate Transportation Committee last month
Seattle Climate Partnership Celebrates
First Year of City-Business Partnerships
In March, the Seattle Climate Partnership celebrated
its One-Year Anniversary. So what and why is the Seattle Climate
Partnership? "We need to find a way to power our economy without toasting
the planet. My Green Ribbon Commission recommended establishing a
government to business partnership Seattle Climate Partnership - to help
employers reduce their carbon footprints. The (Seattle Climate
Partnership) provides tool(s) to help businesses and institutions to
accomplish our common goals," Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
Why
should your industrial company take action on climate change now? The
industrial sector, which in Seattle ranges from steel manufacturing to
forestry, from cement processing to airplane manufacturing, has a vested
interest in addressing climate change. Industrial companies are among the
most energy and resource intensive of all businesses, and as such are
poised to benefit dramatically by addressing climate change. Numerous
bottom-line benefits can be realized through greater energy efficiency,
process improvements, waste reduction and changes in transportation and
materials. Industries can respond to increased stakeholder demand, show
leadership, save money and enhance brand value at the same
time.
MIC-member, Seafreeze, has taken advantage of Seattle City
Light's Energy Smart service and reduced electricity consumption for the
company's 7.5 million cubic feet cold storage facility, saving $75,000
annually. Another MIC-member, Ocean Beauty Seafood, upgraded their air
compressor system and saved $8,980 annually with a payback of 1.1 years.
Todd Pacific Shipyards worked with SPU's Water Smart Technology program to
develop systems to pump salt water instead of freshwater and cut their
water bill in half.
When businesses join the partnership, they
sign an agreement to take actions to reduce their own greenhouse gas
emissions and help support efforts in the broader community to reduce
emissions. In exchange, partners receive a host of benefits, including a
carbon footprint calculator, high-quality technical assistance, networking
and mentorship opportunities, facilitated access to utility assistance
programs, and forums and workshops with advice from experts. Since
inception, the Partnership has enrolled 124 businesses and developed
Guidebooks targeted at specific business-types - General Office,
Hospital/Medical, Restaurants, Hotels, retailers, Industrial and Property
Managers.
Check it out at http://www.seattle.gov/climate/partnership.htm,
or contact SCP Director Charlie Cunniff at charlie.cunniff@seattle.gov,
206-386-9748.
Hearts In the Right
Place
The Port of Seattle announced two new actions at the end of
March 2009 a customer relief package and diesel emission reduction
program. The relief package is focused on terminal operators whose
revenues depend on the number of containers they handle. Port cargo was
down 37% in February 2009 as consumer spending continued to drop,
endangering the jobs that cargo generates. Seattle's maritime cargo
industry supports over 135,000 jobs throughout the state - jobs that are
crucial to the health of the state's economy. The customer support program
would go into effect from June 2009 to June 2010, although adjustments may
be made as economic conditions change. The package offered to Seattle
terminal operators is proportionally similar to what Los Angeles and Long
Beach have offered their terminal operators.
The Port has been
rolling out clean port policies and programs over the past year. Their
latest program targets diesel emission reduction of vehicles engaged in
Port activities notably trucks operating on-dock and the local streets
surrounding Port facilities. In July, the Port would begin offering 100
free overnight truck parking spaces for area truckers. The designated
truck parking is intended to reduce congestion in the neighboring
communities of South Park and Georgetown. In addition, the Port of Seattle
will contribute $2.3 million to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA).
The funds are for programs that reduce diesel emission from maritime
sources, including ocean going vessels, trucks, and cargo handling
equipment. Additional funds available from other sources will be used to
replace older trucks with newer, cleaner retrofits that produce less
pollution.
The Port's press release quotes Port Commission
President Bill Bryant, "We're fighting to protect 12,000 seaport jobs in
the face of an economic hurricane. This proposal protects jobs and our
environment. It's a win-win in a difficult time."
These programs
attempt to "soften" the blow of larger community actions on the Port's
local operators the economic slow-down to terminal operators and cleaner
air to local truck operators. The MIC appreciates that the Port is taking
an active role as a public steward for the region, at least that part of
the region that they have a finger in.
News from CTED
Trade Mission to Morelia & Guadalajara,
Mexico
June 1 - June 6
The U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce,
Pacific NW chapter invites you and your organization to join a VIP
delegation of Washington business executives, government representatives,
and education leaders on a (6) six-day trade mission to the cities of
Morelia and Guadalajara. The agenda includes meetings with high-level
government officials, business executives, importers, exporters,
educators, chambers of commerce leaders, and tourism professionals.
Date: June 1 - June 6, 2009
Location: Morelia and Guadalajara
Cost: $500, does not include airfare or hotel costs
Contact: Luis
Navarro at (206) 992-5362, or usmexiconw@yahoo.com
South Spokane Street Viaduct Project Update
Background Information: The South Spokane Street Viaduct Project is now under way with completion scheduled for December 2011. The Seattle Department of Transportation's $168M project extends from State Route 99 to 6th Avenue South [6th] along South Spokane Street. A new off-ramp from the South Spokane Street Viaduct will be installed for eastbound traffic heading to 4th Avenue South [4th], and the Viaduct itself will be widened by 41 feet to the north, including an all-new on- and off- ramp at 1st Avenue South [1st] for westbound traffic. In addition, the lower roadway [Spokane] will be completely rebuilt in concrete with curbs, sidewalks and better pedestrian and bicycle access. Construction on the widening is expected to begin in third quarter of 2009.
4th Avenue South Eastbound Off Ramp Project: The utility relocation that has been occurring on Spokane Street since September 2008 including replacing a water main segment is now substantially complete and work on the new eastbound off-ramp at 4th has begun. Crews will be drilling shafts 60 to 100 feet deep over the next few months to support the new structure. They will begin just east of the railroad tracks at 2nd and will move eastward.
Eastbound Spokane Street traffic and impacts: (1)Through traffic on eastbound lower Spokane is currently open from East Marginal Way to 1st, closed between 1st and 6th, and open east of 6th. (2)Due to the current closure between 4th and 6th, bus routes normally turning east onto Spokane Street from the E-3 Busway are now using 6th southbound to reach Spokane, starting at Lander. These transit routes will return to the Busway when eastbound Spokane is reopened between 4th and 6th in late June 2009. (3)Eastbound Spokane between SR 99 and 1st is scheduled to close to through traffic from July to October 2009.
Important Traffic Advisory:Drivers heading westbound on the lower roadway should avoid turning left under the Spokane Street Viaduct between 2nd and 6th except at defined intersections (1st or 6th). The area under the Spokane viaduct is once again an active construction site and entering this area presents a significant danger to personnel and likely interference with heavy equipment. Non-construction vehicles in this area are at risk of receiving a moving violation in a work zone, which can result in double penalties. A portion of the detour route around the lower eastbound Spokane closure is itself under construction 1st Avenue South between Stacy and Horton. During weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. traffic is restricted to one southbound and two northbound lanes of traffic. Evenings and weekends there is just one lane in either direction. Construction started in mid-February with completion scheduled for early September 2009. For more information go to the First Avenue Rebuild project website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/first_s_rebuild.htm
Water Taxi Season Starts
Sunday
Christened with a new
name, King County will again this year operate a water taxi service on
Elliott Bay between downtown Seattle and West Seattle. The sailing season
kicks off this Sunday, April 5, with activities for all ages. Check it out
at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter
SR 519 Intermodal Access
Project
Monday, March 30,
closures start for bridge and ramp construction near Seattle's sports
stadiums. Crews will begin moving underground utilities that are in the
way of the piers that will support the new structures.
From 9 AM
Monday to 6 PM Saturday, April 3, S. Royal Brougham Way between the Qwest
Field Garage and 4th Ave S will be closed around-the-clock to relocate
utilities and to prepare for bridge pier construction. There will be a
signed detour. Pedestrian access will be provided on S Royal Brougham
Way.
Also on Monday, 3rd Ave S from S Royal Brougham Way to just
south of Edgar Martinez Drive S will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians
around-the-clock until Spring 2010. There will be signed vehicle and
pedestrian detours.
For more info: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR519/
Seattle Industry
Spring 2009 Issue
Coming Soon
Past eBulletins
Manifestly Dumb
They Do It Right
Viaduct, SR 519, Spokane Street Updates
Elliott Curb Bulb Doomed?
Burn Down, Start Over
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