Transportation

Passengers lug their suitcases toward the train under an awning

Cascadia Forges Ahead on High-Speed Rail Despite Headwinds

Leaders from across the Pacific Northwest recently gathered at the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Seattle and reaffirmed their commitment to building high-speed rail linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. President Trump has created headwinds for the project by slashing transit funding and slapping tariffs on Canadian imports.

Sunday Video: In Praise of Chicago and Its Beloved L Trains

Chicago has gotten a lot of national attention this year, but not for the reason we'd usually hope. Ray Delahanty of CityNerd, however, made...
A double decker bus is rendered in Stride livery sitting at a bus station.

Sound Transit Selects Private Bus Operator for Stride BRT Network

The $433 million contract with MV Transportation extends through 2032, and includes full start-up costs for the three Stride lines. It's the first time that Sound Transit has contracted with a private operator for core transit services.
Some passengers catch a northbound train at U District Station while other wait on seats for the southbound.

1 Line Light Rail Faces Weekend Maintenance Closures Starting November 8

The Saturday and Sunday closures through Downtown Seattle come ahead of additional maintenance work planned later this fall and winter.

Seattle Budget Tweaks Would Add Transit Security Czar, Rescue Waterfront Streetcars

Focused on transit and street upgrades, budget amendments this week will be the subject of behind-the-scenes wrangling as Budget Committee Chair Dan Strauss assembles an initial balancing package for the council to debate next week.
A view of the platform at International District Station from partway up the escalator. A few dozens passengers are waiting for trains.

Sound Transit CEO Lays Out Approach to Second Seattle Rail Tunnel

Before moving ahead with building a second Downtown Seattle light rail tunnel as planned, Sound Transit is taking a second look at putting a third line in the existing tunnel instead. Doing so would entail some major tradeoffs, which the agency intends to fully lay out in its study.
Google's logo is illuminated in the sun at the Kirkland Urban building in Downtown Kirkland. A row of townhouses sits behind.

Kirkland Council Elections Could Tip City in Reactionary Direction

In four different races, Kirkland voters face a choice between pro-growth candidates interested in fostering additional types of housing throughout the city, and candidates looking for the city to be way less aggressive in fighting the region's affordable housing crisis.

SDOT Advances SLU Bus Corridor, Lacking Plan to Route Buses There

The new transit pathway along Harrison and Mercer Streets is intended to provide another option for buses to serve South Lake Union, in line with plans for a Ballard Link light rail station in the neighborhood. But with transit advocates and officials focused on Denny Way, it's not clear when the upgrades would actually be put to use.