Long-awaited upgrades to one of the city's busiest bus corridors are just a few days away, with SDOT set to permanently close the often-clogged slip lane onto Yale Avenue on August 1. A full eastbound bus lane will be installed by the end of August.
While amendments from the Council did make a mark on the Seattle Transit Measure renewal, it still largely resembles Wilson's initial proposal. Amendments that would have scaled it back in scope and duration were both defeated Thursday.
Councilmember Bob Kettle's proposal to slash the Seattle Transit Measure renewal by one-third drew significant pushback this week at a public hearing on potential amendments. Among those strongly advocating against the move was the Seattle Transit Advisory Board and the Amalgamated Transit Union.
The 0.3% sales tax bump going onto the November ballot would increase service by around 40% by the mid-2030s, the biggest expansion of transit service in Pierce County in decades. Since May, the proposal has been tweaked to include free rides for seniors.
The I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement project has completed its federal environmental review and the first phase of work is marching toward construction. Does that mean internal strife over major elements of the program is in the rearview mirror? Far from it.
A surge of World Cup fans for the U.S. vs. Belgium match pushed Sound Transit to new heights on July 6, with a whopping 309,000 light rail boardings. The agency also beat its monthly ridership record in June.
The ruling is the latest legal hurdle tripping up a proposal to close a 1.4-mile gap in the Burke-Gilman Trail, which a group of Ballard businesses has been fighting since 2008. Delays have heightened scrutiny of state environmental laws more broadly.
SDOT recently released 60% designs for a two-way protected bike lane along Leary Way NW and invited feedback in a survey open through July 15. Dan Strauss has touted the connection as a way to finally fill the Missing Link, but not everyone is on board with the idea.
Spokane County voters have an opportunity to fund transit service with a 0.2% sales tax renewal on their August 4th ballot. Here's how you can help put the measure over the top.
By far the most impactful amendment set to be considered to Katie Wilson's proposed transit measure renewal, Kettle's proposal would lead to more than 1 million fewer service hours over the course of 10 years.
National publications have ranked Seattle at the top of the list among World Cup 2026 host cities, commending the city's centrally located, well-integrated stadium next door to a bounty of urban attractions.
The state passed a shared streets law in 2025, and it's time for Seattle to seize the opportunity and reclaim streets for people. Half measures aren't cutting it.
A $406 million budget amendment approved Thursday is intended to get West Seattle Link ready for construction, a key promise in the wake of a Sound Transit board vote last month to rebalance the ST3 plan. Another $16 million advances design work on Ballard Link.
Starting downtown in early 2027, 84% of Bellevue streets that currently have a speed limit of 30 mph or higher will see reductions. This widely supported change sets the groundwork for broader street upgrades, likely to be more contentious.
Sound Transit set a new light rail ridership record on Friday, June 19, collecting an estimated 280,000 boardings as Seattle hosted a World Cup soccer match. Lime also set a new record for scooter and bikeshare usage.
In remarks to a transportation advisory committee, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin painted a clear picture of the need to increase bus frequencies in the city as Sound Transit advances plans for light rail and the city accommodates significant population growth in the coming years.
King County's medical center campus expansion plan approved by voters in 2020 has ballooned from $1.74 billion to at least $2.25 billion, with the new tower at the heart of the plan pushed from 2028 to at least 2031. Numerous county councilmembers are voicing frustration and alarm.
Sound Transit's lofty Enterprise Initiative was aimed at getting ballooning budgets under control without cutting or delaying planned light rail projects. However, that may have been an overly ambitious goal, since the agency did have to resort to pulling those levers last month.
Lime is expecting a ridership surge on its e-bikes and scooters on par with the Super Bowl victory parade during Seattle's FIFA World Cup matches. Staff are gearing up to handle the demand.
The Move All Seattle Sustainability Coalition is calling on City Council to approve Mayor Katie Wilson's proposed Seattle Transit Measure renewal to fund vastly more bus service and expand fare subsidies to the lowest income Seattleites. Here's why.
Around $90 million per year in additional funding will bolster King County's roads division thanks to the 5-4 vote, with a small pass-through program providing a slice of the pie to local cities and towns. A provision capping Seattle's cut of that funding was ultimately defeated.
New U.S. customs prescreening protocols being carried out before Amtrak departures from Vancouver are allowing trains to skip an extra stop at the Canadian border, cutting trip times by at least 10 minutes. Larger time savings may be achievable soon.
A press briefing this week with CEO Dow Constantine clearly sought to assuage concerns that Sound Transit wouldn't be able to get all the way to Ballard. With a six- or seven-year "runway" to close a $7 to $9 billion gap, the pressure is clearly on to follow through on that commitment.
Sound Transit's first head of "megaproject delivery" will depart after just over two years in the role. Terri Mestas' departure comes at a critical time, with significant attention on how Sound Transit will get the full voter-approved ST3 portfolio on track.
With a 0.15% sales tax bump, Seattle would be poised to see 100,000 more bus trips per year, boosting popular routes like the D Line and the 36. At a meeting Thursday, councilmembers got a deeper look at possible investments.
With the boost from the expanded 2 Line, Seattle's Link rail system is humming along at 160,000 daily riders, according to new April data. That makes it the busiest light rail system in the U.S.
Even though the 4 Line was delayed from 2044 to 2050, Issaquah leaders including Mayor Mark Mullet hosted a community celebration Monday night. Mullet sees staying on the calendar as the first step in getting the timeline for the Eastside's next light rail line moved up.
While hesitant to alter plans or go back to voters for funding, Sound Transit board members approved a "Request for Information" that could unearth more affordable plans for light rail to Ballard. Even so, the path to get the project back on schedule remains murky at best.
The City of Seattle's investment in King County Metro service would jump by 60% over the life of the proposed 10-year renewal of the Seattle Transit Measure. While backed by a sales tax increase, Wilson framed the measure as a path to affordability and access.
The Sound Transit board voted Thursday to overhaul expansion plans, prioritizing the rail spine from Tacoma to Everett, while deferring indefinitely stations in Tukwila, Interbay, and Ballard. Seattle leaders got Graham Street back into plans, but lamented the stations put on ice.
The long-promised Graham Street light rail station would go from limbo to back on track if Sound Transit board members approve an amendment advanced by Katie Wilson, Girmay Zahilay, and Teresa Mosqueda. The proposal promises "last in" funding from King County and Seattle.
Given obstacles from the Trump administration, West Seattle Link will not break ground anytime soon. Before any vote overhauling the Sound Transit 3 plan, the board owes the region revised, evidence-based dates for every project, Trevor Reed contends.
The Sound Transit Board will soon decide whether to deliver on the decades-old promise to South King County to build light rail stations at Boeing Access Road and Graham Street. They should not break their promise again, writes King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis.
An amendment from boardmember Dan Strauss would direct Sound Transit to prioritize a "starter line" between Westlake and Ballard ahead of a new tunnel in Downtown Seattle, flipping the script on Ballard Link. With a vote on Thursday, the timeline to consider such a move will be brief.
Hundreds of Seattleites turned out Saturday to celebrate the start of the 2026 Bicycle Weekend schedule, scaled back up by Mayor Katie Wilson after being stifled under the previous administration.
Direct service between light rail stations in Seattle and Bellevue and several major Eastside trailheads starts Saturday, and runs on weekends and holidays through August 30. Seattle's transit funding measure provides a big source of the dollars to operate the shuttles.
A bill quietly approved this week establishes a range of paid parking hourly rates between $1 and $8, with the actual fee charged to drivers based on the demand for curb access on that block. Bellevue is currently a major outlier when it comes to providing free on-street parking citywide.
A commitment to reduce barriers standing in the way of future 4 Line light rail is the latest move by Issaquah leaders to get their project moving. Later this month, the Sound Transit board is set to approve a new six-year delay for the project.
On Saturday, Amtrak delivered its first ‘Airo’ class trainset to Seattle for testing and deployment on Amtrak Cascades this fall. The trickle of train photos is already building anticipation for the enhanced service they will provide.
An amendment put forward by King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain would cap Seattle's participation in a new pass-through funding program to well below the city's proportional share, resulting in millions less going to the city.
Local leaders plugged expanded transit options for Seattle's World Cup matches this summer and shared their goal for 80% of fans to arrive without a personal vehicle. Here's what is planned.
Seattle leaders have been urging Sound Transit to provide a date estimating light rail's arrival to Ballard in light of plans to defer the station indefinitely, but the agency is insisting it doesn't know. This has not sat well with advocates.
At a rally Monday near Seattle’s future Graham Street infill light rail station, advocates demanded Sound Transit not cut two long-planned infill stations as it rebalances ST3 plans. Speakers flagged issues with racial equity and restoring trust with voters.
The "affordable ST3" plan still leaves $11-$13 billion in projects unfunded, as Sound Transit board members vow to look for additional revenue and cost savings. With a May 28 board vote fast approaching, the rebalancing proposal looks mostly baked at this point.
Riding the bus regularly can help officials make better policy decisions. Nondrivers Alliance wants your help to invite them to participate in the annual Week Without Driving this fall.
At a Tuesday forum, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, and Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss pushed back hard against Sound Transit's proposal to defer Seattle light rail stations in Ballard, Interbay, and Hillman City.
A proposal to close a $34.5 billion gap in the voter-approved ST3 plan is on a fast track to a Sound Transit board vote on May 28. Developed by Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, it would prioritize completing the regional rail "spine" while deferring and delaying multiple other major projects.
"It may take a few generations to solve the problem," Walsh told his colleagues, seeming to blame people hit by drivers while walking in Federal Way. His comments are far from being an outlier in the pedestrian-hostile city.
Bellevue Transportation Director Andrew Singelakis told city councilmembers he'd like to see spending on vehicle mobility ramp up from 10% to 25% of the city's spending on transportation. That looks to be at odds with Council, which is focused on safety investments.
Facing a cost-cutting scenario from Sound Transit that may see trains stop short of Tacoma, South Sound leaders on the board look to be laser focused on delivering that light rail connection. The agency might need to get creative with other projects in South Sound.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the biggest rail project in the Sound Transit pipeline is months overdue, with delays stemming from a Federal Transit Administration review to blame. Until that document is released, the board can't advance the project into final design.
A plan to add 21 on-street bike and scooter corrals in a joint effort to keep sidewalks clear and maintain visibility at intersections has been reduced to just 3 corrals. Neighborhood business advocates raised concerns around aesthetics and parking removal, despite a limited impact on legal spots.
While on Sound Transit's chopping block, the Ballard and Interbay neighborhoods made it clear at a 300-strong rally and four-mile march Sunday they are not going down without a fight. Advocates wants to see all light rail projects promised in ST3 built.
A new eastbound transit lane will go in on Denny Way between 5th Avenue and Stewart Street this August, in addition to a permanent closure of an infamously congested slip lane at Yale Avenue. The improvements are sure to bring joy to Route 8 bus riders.
At an April 14 rally in Everett, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin repeatedly stressed that finishing the light rail "spine" to Everett and Tacoma would be their top priority, while backing a plan to defer getting to Ballard.
Despite committing to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on city roadways by 2030, the numbers in Seattle aren't declining. Though a recent call for a performance audit has attracted attention, it will ultimately fall to Katie Wilson to orient SDOT toward safety.
The Tacoma City Council voted Tuesday to put a new “Connect Tacoma" levy on the ballot. Scaled back from a proposal voters rejected last April, the package still aims to fulfill goals of safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets.
Riders will get a sneak peek of the new trail for a few hours on the first day of cruise ship season, providing a detour around Pier 66. The full stretch opens next Tuesday, providing a wide, comfortable path between downtown and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Sound Transit can halve the cost of light rail to Ballard and West Seattle by building them as a connected automated light rail line with slimmer stations, according to two transit experts who have launched the Sound Transit Now campaign.
Amtrak's $300 million expansion of its SoDo trainyard hit the 50% complete mark this month and is on budget and on track to open in 2027. Officials welcomed local media for a tour of the facility on Thursday.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod have been sticking up for a pair of infill light rail stations that have been on the books for a long time, with a clear goal of making sure they don't fall through the cracks as Sound Transit makes budget cuts.
Transit advocates shared ideas to save Ballard Link light rail from being cut or severely delayed at a rally Saturday. A ballooning budget has Sound Transit considering drastic measures, but advocates see a path forward to get to Market Street.
All day for three Saturdays in May and June, one block of Seattle's University Way NE will become pedestrian-only, as a first step toward implementing a goal that advocates have been pushing for decades.
While broad agreement exists over the need to provide funding for King County's Road Services division, the issue of kicking back a portion of a new 0.1% sales tax to local cities caused more consternation. A one month delay is set to translate to six months of lost revenue.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has a public survey out on the 2025 State Rail Plan through April 24. Let them know that improving frequency, reliability, and connections for Amtrak service is a priority.
A total of 205,000 transit riders hopped on light rail trains on the first day of full 2 Line service between Seattle and the Eastside. It was the second busiest day in Sound Transit history.
A safety project along a busy four-lane road in West Seattle would be a catalyst project for neighborhood accessibility. But it's run into significant push back from residents wary of losing a lane of traffic.
Tens of thousands of riders came out to ride the 2 Line across Lake Washington Saturday, as Sound Transit inaugurated the light rail link between the east and west metro.
Today's events celebrating the region's newest light rail connection start at 9am, with the first train across I-90 taking off shortly after 10am. As the only light rail line to cross a floating bridge anywhere in the world, the full 2 Line is a major achievement.
The Seattle region will take arguably its biggest leap forward in transit connectivity ever on Saturday, with Sound Transit inaugurating crosslake 2 Line service. Here's how we got here.
The second opportunity for Washington residents to snag a $300 or $1,200 rebate for a new e-bike will last an entire year, with random winners selected monthly through next spring.
Lake City, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, and South Park will see upgrades intended to decrease air pollution and boost transit, walking, and biking, via $8 million in transportation levy funding. So far, proposals are still high level, with plans being developed over the rest of 2026.
While bleak news portending delays took center stage following the Sound Transit board retreat, the event helped get board members on the same page when it comes to a path forward. Here's what you need to know.
By framing a reduction of reliance on Russian oil as a matter of national security, Latvia offers a useful example of how to reduce car dependency and make real our climate goals. Latvia's ubiquitous and frequent transit network was on display during my recent visit.
The first new RapidRide bus line in South King County in over a decade, the I Line will connect riders with some of the area's busiest transit hubs including Kent and Auburn Stations and the forthcoming South Renton Stride station. Construction is expected to extend through 2027.
At a board retreat Wednesday, Sound Transit weighed three cost-cutting approaches that all included deferring light rail stations in Ballard and Interbay to a later date when funding allows. Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss pushed back against that approach.
Washington and Oregon will focus on replacing I-5's twin Columbia River bridges with a new freeway bridge ready to carry light rail to Downtown Vancouver, Governor Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday. The project is still facing a budget gap that could stretch into the billions.
The $350 million contract with Hoffman Construction, expected to be approved later this month, sets up a major piece of Sound Transit's system expansion puzzle. "OMF South" will be the agency's third train base.
The pressure to invest in degrading state highways pushed legislators to turn to $1.3 billion in bonding, a move necessary due to so many dollars being tied up in highway expansion projects like the North Spokane Corridor and the Puget Sound Gateway.
State lawmakers declined to unlock a financial tool that Sound Transit sought to get through a coming financial crunch, and approved a tax package that is expected to bring the agency a big revenue hit.
Thanks to newly revealed cost-saving measures, the cost to bring rail to Alaska Junction is now just $700 million to $1.1 billion over the amount baked into Sound Transit's financial plan, a major change compared to where things stood just 18 months ago.
2026 had been an opportunity to get Seattle and King County on the same page when it came to sustainable, long-term funding for Metro. But King County leaders are signaling they need more time.
Ferry advocates had been hoping that expanded authority to create passenger ferry districts could allow them to supplement state ferry service in more areas. But changes to the bill in the state Senate could significantly undermine that goal.
At UW’s OpenThePaths conference, elected officials, advocacy leaders, and researchers brainstormed strategies to transform streets to be safe, sustainable, and accessible for all. While overcoming decades of car-centric policymaking won’t be easy, speakers pointed to new momentum and advocacy tools.
After House transportation chair Jake Fey blocked a bill giving Sound Transit’s authority to issue longer-term bonds up to 75 years in length, the sponsor in the state Senate amended the provision into a different bill that remains alive, giving the effort a new lease on life.
Taking lessons from the YIMBY movement, Robert Cruickshank charts a path forward to build out the 116 miles of light rail promised to voters in the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, leveraging popular support to press for additional funding and lasting reforms to control costs.
WSDOT’s concept would remove the northbound ramp from I-90 onto Rainier Avenue and improve safety at the other freeway ramps. A clear step in the right direction, the unfunded plan is not as bold as some transportation advocates would like to see near such an important light rail station.
The crowded community meeting was the first step in an advocacy campaign intended to persuade members of the Sound Transit board about the value of continuing light rail expansion on the Eastside. Issaquah city leaders are bringing ideas to the table they say could cut costs.
Cities must commit to downsizing their highway networks if they intend to meet climate and livability goals and expand housing in a healthy and equitable manner. Seattle must lead the way.
The $2 billion in new bonding in the Senate’s transportation budget would help bolster the state’s highway and bridge maintenance spending, which has lagged due to longstanding prioritization of new highway projects. But the debt load could create problems for future budget writers.
The service boost will come in part from the restoration of 80,000 service hours that have been suspended since 2020. With the new network, Metro takes a big step toward a more frequent, all-day network in South King County.
The City of Seattle is planning 21 on-street bike corrals in place of illegal parking spots abutting intersections. But a debate over the aesthetic impact on Pioneer Square could overshadow the proposal’s benefits and derail the project.
Hoping to avoid simply delaying projects or shortening lines, Sound Transit has been looking high and low for potential cost savings. Those options are set to be contemplated at a March 18 board retreat that will set the stage for major decisions in the months ahead.
The proposal to empower local governments across Puget Sound to set up their own passenger ferry districts fell short in the Senate after passing the House last year. Its sponsor is pushing even harder this year, seeking to bolster the precarious state ferry system.
SDOT’s plan for adding barricades ahead of this summer’s World Cup leans heavily on planters and movable barricades. While the infrastructure could ultimately form a template for longer-term upgrades, these changes look to be quick and dirty and aimed at protecting pedestrians as Seattle opens itsel
The full list of 430 levy-funded projects across Seattle was mostly assembled before Mayor Katie Wilson took office. But it contains significant opportunities for the new administration to shape transportation investments over the years ahead.
Getting King County on board with going to the voters for a supplementary funding source for Metro bus service has long been a goal of regional transit advocates. But making it happen this year will likely be a tall order, given the need for intense coordination between two newly elected leaders.
A pair of bills advancing this week at the state legislature would finally allow Sound Transit to rise above the local permitting fray in several key areas. The reforms could save as much as nine months on key transit projects, according to the agency.
Revive I-5 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce car dependency and encourage transit, walking, rolling, and biking, but the Seattle region is letting it slip between its fingers. It’s not too late to fix that, opines Kadie Bell Sata.
Claudia Balducci, the second longest serving member of the Sound Transit board, will no longer be a member of the committee she’s lead since 2018. The swap out comes just as the board faces critical decisions around the future of the Sound Transit 3 expansion plan, work that will largely be hashed o