Transportation Highlights

July 17, 2008
Host a Neighborhood Block Party - No Permit Fee Now Through September!
In support of Mayor Greg Nickels’ Climate Action Now program, SDOT is making it easy for you to connect with your neighbors and celebrate Car-Free Summer by making it easy to get a block party permit.

Our Party Pak has a variety of fun suggestions for how to turn your Neighborhood Block Party into a “Car-Free Summer” event by incorporating on-the-spot actions to reduce car trips. From June through September, permit fees are waived in an effort to strengthen neighborhood spirit and support increased pedestrian use of the right-of-way as part of Climate Action Now.

Find out more

June 24 , 2008
City of Seattle Announces Bike Smart Seattle Program
SDOT today announced the Bike Smart Seattle campaign to encourage people to ride their bicycles more often. Bike Smart Seattle will bring to neighborhoods this summer an exciting program of group rides, repair clinics, and special bike-oriented events to help Seattle residents overcome hesitations about cycling and promote it as a transportation option.

Established as a three-year public education project, Bike Smart Seattle will start in the city’s northwest and central east sections and eventually be implemented citywide. This month residents in those neighborhoods will receive a postcard that can be returned for a free bicycle kit containing a calendar of events, citywide bike map, safety information and other helpful materials.

For more information about Bike Smart Seattle, contact Serena Lehman at 206-957-4439

June 19, 2008
Bicycle Improvements on Second & Fourth Avenues Scheduled to Start in June
The Bicycle Master Plan and the Center City Access Strategy identify Second and Fourth avenues as the main north/south bike routes through Downtown. In support of this, starting on June 21st the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will make improvements to these streets to upgrade bicycle routes and increase rider safety. This work is anticipated to be completed within two to three weeks.

Find out more!

June 12 , 2008
Seattle Streetcar Celebrates Successful Half-Year of Service
The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar celebrated a successful half-year of service today by rapidly approaching the quarter-million passenger milestone.

Since its inaugural ride at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2007, the Seattle Streetcar has provided people a new transportation choice for traveling between the downtown, Denny Triangle and South Lake Union areas. Thanks to strong public support, the city’s first modern streetcar has served more than 245,000 passengers, surging past the forecasted 175,000 riders expected in its first six months of operation. Approximately 1,200 passengers use the streetcar daily to travel to places of work, shopping and scenic destinations along its route.

Visit the Streetcar Website

May 21, 2008
Change the Way You Go
Starting the week of May 26 billboards encouraging people to change the way they travel are going up in nine locations: Rainier Av, Boren Av, Lake City Wy, Aurora, Airport Wy, Fauntleroy, Myers Wy S, and Kenyon St. Learn more about options to driving.

Read the press release


March 31, 2008
City Gains 45,000 New Hours of Bus Service
Bus routes enhanced through Bridging the Gap
The city of Seattle announced today the acquisition of 45,000 additional hours of bus service annually secured through Bridging the Gap funds. Thanks to the voter-approved, nine-year transportation levy, the city purchased additional bus service for its residents for the first time in recent history.

Nineteen Seattle bus routes will receive increased service and, in some cases, extended hours of operation. These extra hours will be phased in beginning in September 2008 and will be fully implemented by 2010. With $1.5 million annual funding from the city, the new service will continue until the end of 2015.

“Through Bridging the Gap we are building sidewalks, paving roads, and making it easier to travel by bus,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “These additional hours provide riders more options to move around our city without a car. This is another example of Bridging the Gap delivering on its promise and keeping Seattle moving.”

Visit the Bridging the Gap webpage

February 25, 2008
New Community Parking Program
SDOT's Community Parking Program is a multi-year effort to engage communities to improve on-street parking management in Seattle business districts and adjacent residential areas. SDOT is working to make parking management improvements that balance competing parking needs and support transit, biking and walking and other alternatives.

Up first for development, Denny Triangle


Don't Miss These Highlights!

• The Seattle Department of Transportation Releases
  the Southeast Seattle Transportation Plan for Public Review and Comment
• The Seattle Streetcar Network Concept
• Read the Bridging the Gap (BTG) 2007 Annual Report (pdf)
• Learn about the Pothole Rangers
• Read the SDOT Art Plan
• Streetcar Zooms Past 100,000-Rider Milestone
• Taking Action to Reduce Climate-Changing Pollution
• Agreement Paves Way for Viaduct Solution
• Seattle residents urged to report potholes early
• SDOT in the News