Capital rail projects that will increase service on the Amtrak Cascade corridor got cut in both the House and Senate Transportation Budgets. We will be holding a timely Friday Forum this week on the future of intercity rail in the Pacific Northwest. I hope you can join us!
Transportation Choices Coalition’s April Friday Forum
Get Onboard: The Future of Intercity Rail in the Pacific Northwest
April 3rd, 2009
Noon-1:30
King County Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA
Brown Bag Lunch
This month’s Friday forum topic is intercity rail in the Pacific Northwest. The discussion will focus on how we have gotten to where we are at today and opportunities for future rail expansion. The Federal Recovery Act approved 8 billion dollars for high speed rail; how is Amtrak Cascades positioned to receive a portion of these dollars? Could 110+ mph rail between Seattle and Portland be in the foreseeable future? What can you do advocate for high speed rail in the Northwest? We will address all of these questions and more at our April Friday forum. Bring your lunch and join the conversation.
Panelists include:
Andrew Wood- Deputy Director State Rail-WSDOT
Ron Sheck-Former Urban Rail Program Manager at Washington Department of Transportation
Bruce Agnew-Policy Director-Cascadia Center
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Washington's Transportation Budgets in the News
Last week the State Senate released their Transportation Budget and yesterday the House Released their version.
The release of this budgets has already caused quite a stir in the media.
The Seattle Times reported today, "State budget cuts could hit I-90 light rail" . The current version of the budget does not fund the state's agreed upon contribution to doing the reconfiguration of the I-90 bridge that is needed to build light rail to Mercer Island. TCC's own Bill LaBorde was stated in the Seattle Time article, "I think it is a betrayal to the voters, especially Eastside voters who are counting on the commitment to get rail."
Seattle Transit Blog has a more in depth post on the unraveling story here.
Make no mistake, the lack of state funding for R8A configuration over I-90 would be a direct blow to the light rail that Eastside voters are counting on. TCC will continue engage the Transportation Budget process and advocate for our issues. We will be releasing a coalition letter to the House and Senate Transportation Committees in the next couple of days, which I will put up on the blog.
The release of this budgets has already caused quite a stir in the media.
The Seattle Times reported today, "State budget cuts could hit I-90 light rail" . The current version of the budget does not fund the state's agreed upon contribution to doing the reconfiguration of the I-90 bridge that is needed to build light rail to Mercer Island. TCC's own Bill LaBorde was stated in the Seattle Time article, "I think it is a betrayal to the voters, especially Eastside voters who are counting on the commitment to get rail."
Seattle Transit Blog has a more in depth post on the unraveling story here.
Make no mistake, the lack of state funding for R8A configuration over I-90 would be a direct blow to the light rail that Eastside voters are counting on. TCC will continue engage the Transportation Budget process and advocate for our issues. We will be releasing a coalition letter to the House and Senate Transportation Committees in the next couple of days, which I will put up on the blog.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Mega-Bridge with statewide significance
There are various projects in Washington that TCC is involved with, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the 520 Lake Washington Bridge. Another large project that we will be getting move involved in over the next few years is the Columbia River Crossing, new I-5 Bridge from Clark County to Oregon. The project website is http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/
Demonstrating the statewide significance of this project, The Columbia River Crossing recently got some blog/press coverage from the other corner of the State in the Bellingham Herald's "Traffic Talk".
The current design for the bridge has a light rail and pedestrian element which is great news. It also calls for 12 lanes of traffic, on face value this appears to be an excessive and expensive capacity expansion for the corridor especially considering light rail will be coming across the river. That said, we will continue to track this project, engage local leaders in Clark County and keep you informed of its progress.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Great quote on Transit Oriented Development
It has been a tough couple of weeks in Olympia in regards to Transit Oriented Development. That said, here is a great quote from Urban Land Institute that I stumbled across on the Smart Growth America Blog. Take a look at the post here.
From the Urban Land Institute's "Emerging Trends in Real Estate" report in 2007:
“Energy costs add fuel to the fire—people want greater convenience in their time-constrained lives. Far-flung greenfield homes may cost less, but filling the gas tank burns holes in wallets. Both empty nesters and their young adult offspring gravitate to live in more exciting and sophisticated 24-hour places—whether urban or suburban—with pedestrian-accessible retail, restaurants, parks, supermarkets, and offices. Transit-oriented development at subway or light-rail stations almost cannot miss.” (ULI 2006, p. 14)
From the Urban Land Institute's "Emerging Trends in Real Estate" report in 2007:
“Energy costs add fuel to the fire—people want greater convenience in their time-constrained lives. Far-flung greenfield homes may cost less, but filling the gas tank burns holes in wallets. Both empty nesters and their young adult offspring gravitate to live in more exciting and sophisticated 24-hour places—whether urban or suburban—with pedestrian-accessible retail, restaurants, parks, supermarkets, and offices. Transit-oriented development at subway or light-rail stations almost cannot miss.” (ULI 2006, p. 14)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
TCC featured in Streets for People Video
A few weeks ago I attended the Seattle Great City Initiative Kick-Off. The event filled up the South Lake Union Amory with a bunch of urban, environmental, pro-bike and transit advocates. I was tabling in the back next to our friends at GGLO. Streets for People made a video on the event and the TCC table was featured in it.
Check it out!
http://www.thesouthlake.com/2009/03/11/street-for-people-video
Check it out!
http://www.thesouthlake.com/2009/03/11/street-for-people-video
Friday, March 13, 2009
March 18th is Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
Our friend Carla Saulter a.k.a "Buschick" recently wrote about Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Here at TCC we are totally onboard with this great idea! So next Wednesday hop on board and tell your driver, "Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day".
From Buchick:
Hans and Shannon, two soon-to-be-married bus types from Capitol Hill, have officially declared March 18th Bus Driver Appreciation Day. (Apparently, there is no such official day--at least not one that they could find record of.) I, for one, am totally on board (sorry, couldn't resist) and ready to help make it happen. Since this is a new thing, we get to decide how it works. Here's what I'm thinking:
Next Wednesday, tell every driver whose bus you ride, "Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day!" Make sure to keep smiling, even if they all look at you like you're crazy. If you have a favorite driver, consider bringing him/her a card* or other token--nothing that would be hard to keep on a bus all day, just something small** to show your love.
So, my fellow riders: Go forth, and appreciate. And oh yeah: Pass it on!
* Note to Hallmark: In case you missed the headlines: More people than ever are riding the bus. Don't sleep on this opportunity!
From Buchick:
Hans and Shannon, two soon-to-be-married bus types from Capitol Hill, have officially declared March 18th Bus Driver Appreciation Day. (Apparently, there is no such official day--at least not one that they could find record of.) I, for one, am totally on board (sorry, couldn't resist) and ready to help make it happen. Since this is a new thing, we get to decide how it works. Here's what I'm thinking:
Next Wednesday, tell every driver whose bus you ride, "Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day!" Make sure to keep smiling, even if they all look at you like you're crazy. If you have a favorite driver, consider bringing him/her a card* or other token--nothing that would be hard to keep on a bus all day, just something small** to show your love.
So, my fellow riders: Go forth, and appreciate. And oh yeah: Pass it on!
* Note to Hallmark: In case you missed the headlines: More people than ever are riding the bus. Don't sleep on this opportunity!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Event Notice: South Seattle Neighborhood Plan Updates
This announcement was released recently by Seattle Councilmember Sally Clark. If you live in these areas and care about urban planning especially near the light rail stations coming online, I highly suggest you attend the event in your neighborhood!
From Councilmember Clark's newsletter:
If you’ve ever thought about parks, sidewalks, building height and design, affordability, equity… OK, what did I miss? Neighborhood plan status reports all over the city and plan updates in three quick-start neighborhoods are getting underway. Last year Council approved the funding. Now the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Council (NPAC) is up and running, neighborhood advocates are coalescing and city staff are drafting ideas. It’s time for you to plug in.
Three introductory community workshops to begin development of plan updates in the North Beacon Hill, North Rainier, MLK@Holly have been scheduled for:
March 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Othello (MLK@Holly) Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
Miracle Temple of God
7100 42nd Ave. S.
March 21, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
North Rainier Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
Franklin High School
3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd.
March 28, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Beacon Hill (N Beacon) Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
El Centro de la Raza
2524 16th Ave. S.
From Councilmember Clark's newsletter:
If you’ve ever thought about parks, sidewalks, building height and design, affordability, equity… OK, what did I miss? Neighborhood plan status reports all over the city and plan updates in three quick-start neighborhoods are getting underway. Last year Council approved the funding. Now the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Council (NPAC) is up and running, neighborhood advocates are coalescing and city staff are drafting ideas. It’s time for you to plug in.
Three introductory community workshops to begin development of plan updates in the North Beacon Hill, North Rainier, MLK@Holly have been scheduled for:
March 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Othello (MLK@Holly) Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
Miracle Temple of God
7100 42nd Ave. S.
March 21, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
North Rainier Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
Franklin High School
3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd.
March 28, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Beacon Hill (N Beacon) Neighborhood Plan Update Meeting
El Centro de la Raza
2524 16th Ave. S.
Washington's Highway Stimulus in the news
Washington State's WSDOT highway stimulus legislation has been covered in the news with increasing controversy over the past few days. A report released by TCC, WASHPirg, and Futurewise is cited in many of the articles.
Here is the media rundown, feel free to let me know if I missed any:
2-24, Associated Press, "Wash. Leg. unveils $340M highway stimulus plan "
3-5, Seattle P-I, "State Stimulus Aimed at Roads"
3-3, New York Times, "Stimulus Spurs Road Projects, Big and Small"
3-5, Stranger Slog, "WA State Stimulus Bill: No $ for Seattle, but $40 Million to Widen Suburban Freeway"
3-6, Seattle Times, "Feeling unstimulated about road spending"
3-6, Sightline Daily, "Olympia's Highway-Happy Democrats"
Here is the media rundown, feel free to let me know if I missed any:
2-24, Associated Press, "Wash. Leg. unveils $340M highway stimulus plan "
3-5, Seattle P-I, "State Stimulus Aimed at Roads"
3-3, New York Times, "Stimulus Spurs Road Projects, Big and Small"
3-5, Stranger Slog, "WA State Stimulus Bill: No $ for Seattle, but $40 Million to Widen Suburban Freeway"
3-6, Seattle Times, "Feeling unstimulated about road spending"
3-6, Sightline Daily, "Olympia's Highway-Happy Democrats"
Demand for Transit continues to increase in all corners of the State
Transit Agencies are facing with increasing demand for service across the State. At the same time they have large budget shortfalls due to declining sales tax revenue.
Today from Pierce Transit:
"Pierce Transit experienced an 11.0* percent increase from 2007 to 2008, with 14.5 million boardings in 2007 and 16.1* million in 2008.
This significant increase in ridership continues as Pierce Transit experiences an unprecedented decline in sales tax collections (-7 percent from 2007 to 2008)."
I saw today in the Bellingham Herald traffic blog that ridership for the Whatcom Transportation Authority increased a remarkable 32% between 2007 and 2008.
From the release:
"Boardings, or one-way trips, reached 4.7 million, up from 3.6 million in 2007. Fixed Route productivity, measured in riders per hour, increased by 21 percent."
It is clear that demand for more transit across the state continues to increase, at a time while revenues for agencies are plummeting.
Update: Here is a good article from the Washington Post on increasing demand for transit nationally, "Public Transit Ridership Rises To Highest Level in 52 Years"
Today from Pierce Transit:
"Pierce Transit experienced an 11.0* percent increase from 2007 to 2008, with 14.5 million boardings in 2007 and 16.1* million in 2008.
This significant increase in ridership continues as Pierce Transit experiences an unprecedented decline in sales tax collections (-7 percent from 2007 to 2008)."
I saw today in the Bellingham Herald traffic blog that ridership for the Whatcom Transportation Authority increased a remarkable 32% between 2007 and 2008.
From the release:
"Boardings, or one-way trips, reached 4.7 million, up from 3.6 million in 2007. Fixed Route productivity, measured in riders per hour, increased by 21 percent."
It is clear that demand for more transit across the state continues to increase, at a time while revenues for agencies are plummeting.
Update: Here is a good article from the Washington Post on increasing demand for transit nationally, "Public Transit Ridership Rises To Highest Level in 52 Years"
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Washington's Transportation Stimulus Package is Signed by Gov. Gregoire
This afternoon Governor Gregoire signed the final State stimulus package for roads which amounted to 350 million dollars in federal spending on roads in Washington State. TCC, Futurewise, and WashPIRG released a national report and press release in response to the final stimulus list that was put together by the Governor's office and the State Legislature. Copies of both the report and the press release can be found on our homepage. For a direct link to the report go here and for a direct link to the press release go here.
From the Press Release:
Two of Washington’s projects were highlighted as good projects on this list, the Pierce County I-5 HOV project and the combined I-90 safety and maintenance projects. Two projects, the I-405 expansion project between 195th Ave. and SR 527 and the Yakima Valley Mall interchange were highlighted as bad investments for $70 million or 20% of the state’s stimulus funding for transportation projects. In Washington alone more than 400 bridges are structurally deficient including the SR 520 bridge, South Park bridge and Murray Morgan bridge. These projects would have been very strong candidates for state stimulus spending.
Also check out Erica Barnett's post on the topic: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/03/05/wa_state_stimulus_bill_no_f
From the Press Release:
Two of Washington’s projects were highlighted as good projects on this list, the Pierce County I-5 HOV project and the combined I-90 safety and maintenance projects. Two projects, the I-405 expansion project between 195th Ave. and SR 527 and the Yakima Valley Mall interchange were highlighted as bad investments for $70 million or 20% of the state’s stimulus funding for transportation projects. In Washington alone more than 400 bridges are structurally deficient including the SR 520 bridge, South Park bridge and Murray Morgan bridge. These projects would have been very strong candidates for state stimulus spending.
Also check out Erica Barnett's post on the topic: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/03/05/wa_state_stimulus_bill_no_f
Sound Transit Announces University Link Ground Breaking Tomorrow
This should be a fun event for an important transit mobility project in our region:
MEDIA ADVISORY
DATE:
March 5, 2009
SUBJECT:
March 6 event: University Link groundbreaking with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray
Sound Transit invites Puget Sound area news media to join U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and University of Washington President Mark Emmert at Husky Stadium tomorrow as Sound Transit breaks ground on the University Link light rail extension.
The celebration kicks off construction on the $1.9 billion University Link light rail extension from downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill and the UW. The site is adjacent to where the University of Washington light rail station will serve thousands of commuters every day.
The project is estimated to generate 2,900 direct construction jobs and economic activity equivalent to 22,800 both direct and indirect jobs according to a U.S. Department of Commerce model.
Light rail from downtown Seattle to Tukwila is on schedule and on budget to open in July. By the end of this year a direct light rail connection from Tukwila to Sea-Tac International Airport will replace the temporary shuttle connection that starts in July.
WHEN:
2 – 3 p.m., Fri., March 6
WHERE:
Southwest Plaza of Husky Stadium, site of the future UW Station. Enter through the main Husky Stadium parking entrance on Montlake Boulevard Northeast.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Husky+Stadium+Seattle&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=47.654035,-122.302637&spn=0.007241,0.015621&z=16
MEDIA ADVISORY
DATE:
March 5, 2009
SUBJECT:
March 6 event: University Link groundbreaking with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray
Sound Transit invites Puget Sound area news media to join U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and University of Washington President Mark Emmert at Husky Stadium tomorrow as Sound Transit breaks ground on the University Link light rail extension.
The celebration kicks off construction on the $1.9 billion University Link light rail extension from downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill and the UW. The site is adjacent to where the University of Washington light rail station will serve thousands of commuters every day.
The project is estimated to generate 2,900 direct construction jobs and economic activity equivalent to 22,800 both direct and indirect jobs according to a U.S. Department of Commerce model.
Light rail from downtown Seattle to Tukwila is on schedule and on budget to open in July. By the end of this year a direct light rail connection from Tukwila to Sea-Tac International Airport will replace the temporary shuttle connection that starts in July.
WHEN:
2 – 3 p.m., Fri., March 6
WHERE:
Southwest Plaza of Husky Stadium, site of the future UW Station. Enter through the main Husky Stadium parking entrance on Montlake Boulevard Northeast.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Husky+Stadium+Seattle&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=47.654035,-122.302637&spn=0.007241,0.015621&z=16
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Federal Transportation Stimulus bill being heard on the House Floor right now
11:45 am:
The State list for the Federal Stimulus transportation dollars is being heard on the House Floor right now. We have been testifying on this bill as it moved through committee and have been tracking it closely.
To tune into the floor debate go to http://www.tvw.org/media/livetv.cfm?CFID=2037776&CFTOKEN=78073697&bhcp=1.
Information on the bill can be found at http://flooractivityext.leg.wa.gov/default.aspx?chamber=3
Update:
House Bill 1978 passed off of the House Floor with a 67 to 28 vote. It will now move onto the Senate for further consideration.
3:45
Things are moving quickly in Olympia today. The House Stimulus bill that moved out this morning just passed out of the Senate moments ago with a 45 to 4 vote. It will not be delivered to the Governor's desk. Moving the bill on the same day shows how high of a priority this legislation is.
The State list for the Federal Stimulus transportation dollars is being heard on the House Floor right now. We have been testifying on this bill as it moved through committee and have been tracking it closely.
To tune into the floor debate go to http://www.tvw.org/media/livetv.cfm?CFID=2037776&CFTOKEN=78073697&bhcp=1.
Information on the bill can be found at http://flooractivityext.leg.wa.gov/default.aspx?chamber=3
Update:
House Bill 1978 passed off of the House Floor with a 67 to 28 vote. It will now move onto the Senate for further consideration.
3:45
Things are moving quickly in Olympia today. The House Stimulus bill that moved out this morning just passed out of the Senate moments ago with a 45 to 4 vote. It will not be delivered to the Governor's desk. Moving the bill on the same day shows how high of a priority this legislation is.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Onward and Upward: Transit Oriented Communities Moves forward in the Legislature
We are pleased to announce that our legislative priority is moving forward with strong support in both the Washington State Senate and House. Last week House Bill 1490 passed out of House General Government Appropriations with a strong 9-5 vote. Thanks to the leadership of House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Representative Darneille and House Speaker Frank Chopp who garnered strong support for the bill, it passed the House fiscal committee with resounding support.
Last night the Senate version of the bill (SB5687) passed out of Senate Ways and Means with little fanfare or controversy. We would like to sincerely thank Senators Prentice, Fraser, Tom, Fairley, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Pridemore, Regala, and Rockefeller for supporting this important environmental priority in Senate Ways and Means. If you are a constituent of one of these Senators please send them a big thank you.
Both the Senate and House versions are in the rules committee, which is the last stop before a floor vote! We will be making some friendly tweaks to the bill on the floor as a result of the stakeholder meetings that Rep. Nelson has been holding over the last couple of weeks. The floor cutoff is next week. We are working hard to ensure that the Transit Oriented Communities Bill gets out of the House in the upcoming days and moves forward on its way to becoming a law. Thank you for your support and for tuning in!
Last night the Senate version of the bill (SB5687) passed out of Senate Ways and Means with little fanfare or controversy. We would like to sincerely thank Senators Prentice, Fraser, Tom, Fairley, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Pridemore, Regala, and Rockefeller for supporting this important environmental priority in Senate Ways and Means. If you are a constituent of one of these Senators please send them a big thank you.
Both the Senate and House versions are in the rules committee, which is the last stop before a floor vote! We will be making some friendly tweaks to the bill on the floor as a result of the stakeholder meetings that Rep. Nelson has been holding over the last couple of weeks. The floor cutoff is next week. We are working hard to ensure that the Transit Oriented Communities Bill gets out of the House in the upcoming days and moves forward on its way to becoming a law. Thank you for your support and for tuning in!
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