News Roundup: ITDP Gold

Busway - Bridleway Crossing

This is an open thread.

Senate Dems, Back in Charge, Announce New Committee Assignments

As a result of Manka Dhingra’s election, giving Democrats a solid majority in the State Senate (with Sen. Tim Sheldon caucusing with the Republicans), the Senate Democratic Caucus has had to choose new Senate leadership and committee leadership, and redo committee assignments. The new assignments were announced on November 14:


Continue reading “Senate Dems, Back in Charge, Announce New Committee Assignments”

2018 Brings a Slight Increase to SDOT’s Budget

Though Bertha’s job is done, the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement project remains a major project in SDOT’s budget for next year.

With a backlog of over 550 lane-miles in need of major maintenance, estimated to cost $970m, and a rapidly growing city, the Seattle Department of Transportation says its 2018 budget attempts to balance the mobility needs of the city while maintaining existing streets and sidewalks.

Next year’s city budget, approved November 20, increases SDOT’s budget by a little over 5%, growing to $472.4m, from $448.4m. The agency plans on adding 31 new full-time employees, approved by the city council this summer, comprised of project management, engineers and planning and design positions.

In good news for bus riders, a last-minute proposal by Councilmember Mike O’Brien and approved by the council starts to lay a path for the use of automated enforcement of transit lanes. A report by SDOT in partnership with SPD “on the potential for using automated enforcement to reduce ‘block-the-box’ incidents and transit lane violations,” is due to the council by March 2, 2018

Continue reading “2018 Brings a Slight Increase to SDOT’s Budget”