First, the good news - Sound Transit's Link Light Rail service will come to SODO in 2009. But what will that mean for local business owners and employees in SODO who will find themselves competing with Sound Transit customers for scarce SODO parking spots?

Local impacts involving parking and related Metro transit service issues will be the subjects of a Forum, Thursday, November 13, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Mezza Café at the Starbucks Center at 1st and Lander. Representatives from the City of Seattle Department of Transportation, Sound Transit and Metro will be on hand to present information and answer questions.

The advent of Link Light Rail will activate the two Sound Transit stations that presently stand vacant in SODO located on the 5th Ave Busway with a stop at Lander near the US Post Office facility and Royal Brougham near the sports stadiums. The stations will provide great service into downtown Seattle and may prove especially attractive to "hide-and-ride" transit users who will hope to park for free in SODO to avoid the high costs of parking downtown.

Sound Transit is working with Metro and local governments throughout the region and with Metro to help deal with station-related issues. SODO poses challenges that are unique along the Link Light Rail routes. These include SODO's close proximity to downtown Seattle, the community's reliance on street parking, the shortage of off-street parking facilities and the limitations on bus transit service that help to perpetuate drive-alone commuting.

The forum will be structured to provide a collaborative environment for exchanging information and answering questions. The event is sponsored by the Duwamish Transportation Management Association and is open to the public. Admission is free. For more information call 206-762-2470.

Does You Operation Generate Green House Gases?
(Hint: Do you have a company truck?)

On Sep 23, 2008, the Western Climate Initiative recommendations were issued including a program to address GHG emissions in the western US and Canada, starting with industrial and transportation emissions. The City of Seattle's Climate Partnership office is co-hosting a workshop entitled, Understanding Reporting Compliance in Cap-and-Trade Systems, October 28. This is your opportunity to get an early look at how the cap-and-trade will, or might, operate over the next 2-5 years. Click here for details.

Your Bus Route Could Be Changing
Bus service changes are coming in 2009 and 2010 to neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle, Skyway/West Hill, Boeing Field, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Federal Way, and the transit agencies want to hear from you on how to best serve local communities.

This could result in routing changes, schedule adjustments, route termination, or consolidation for almost 30 bus routes, including Metro routes 7, 8, 9, 14, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 42, 48, 60, 106, 107, 126, 128, 140, 154, 170, 174, 175, 180, 190, 191, and 194; and ST Express routes 574 and 594.

If you see your route listed now is the time to comment on the options that are being developed. Eight community discussion meetings will be held, for a list of meetings Click Here

SR 519 Construction Kick-off Ceremony
Please join WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond and the State Route 519 design-build project team to celebrate the kick-off of the final phase of construction for the SR 519 Intermodal Access Project.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Top of the Safeco Field parking garage
Just south of the stadium at the intersection of
Edgar Martinez Drive S. and Occidental Avenue S.


Upon completion in 2010, this project will improve traffic flow and pedestrian and bicyclist safety by improving connections between I-90, I-5 and the Seattle waterfront and separating people, traffic and rail. SR 519 Phase 2 will be completed prior to major construction of the south end of the viaduct. For project information click here.

Viaduct closed this weekend
WSDOT maintenance crews will close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for its semiannual inspection on Oct. 18 and 19 to ensure the structure remains safe for drivers. Crews will close both decks of the viaduct from 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. The viaduct will be closed between Spokane Street through the Battery Street Tunnel. The closure is extended overnight on Saturday to provide extra time for crews to repair damaged concrete roadway panels near Spokane Street. For more information click here.

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Fall 2008 issue
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