Traffic Lab

Masks, driver shields, artificial intelligence: How do we make public transit in the Puget Sound area safe amid COVID-19?

Like schools, restaurants and other facets of once-normal life, public transit in the Puget Sound area could look dramatically different if the pandemic stretches on. Ridership has plummeted and agencies have scrambled to keep drivers and passengers safe as tax revenues evaporate.

Seattle City Council could consider new car-tab fees after I-976 thrown out in court
West Seattle Bridge repairs would be cheap, but future costs could soar, city analysis says
City ballot measure would raise sales tax for Seattle bus service, other transportation projects
The tech that might help cyclists and cars coexist safely
New no-cost Metro, Sound Transit passes available for people with very low incomes
Washington Supreme Court strikes down I-976, which cut car-tab taxes
City staff lean toward replacing, not repairing, West Seattle Bridge; hope to finish in 3 years
Lightning strikes Washington state ferry Saturday evening, knocking it out of service

Don't Miss

See how Seattle-area commutes have changed over the years — including the impact of COVID-19

Jonathan Hopkins (r) , director of strategic development for Canada and the Pacific Northwest, helps lead mechanic Ryan Gaschel load a Lime scooter into the back of a van so it can be dropped off in a Seattle neighborhood Wednesday, September 16, 2020. 500 scooters will be distributed in Seattle’s neighborhoods, from Ballard, Fremont, University District to Beacon Hill Wednesday. 300 will be added each week until they reach a total number of 2,000 scooters in the Seattle area. 215102

First rental scooters hit Seattle streets

Metro buses in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Metro transit will benefit the most from the government financial aid. It will help them maintain service as the number of riders drop and they stop collecting fares. 213462

Bus service cuts start Saturday as Metro Transit struggles to rebound from pandemic

Destiny N. Thomas, Founder/CEO of Thrivance Group

Ask An Expert: How can transportation planners better serve Black and brown people?

About Traffic Lab

Traffic Lab is a Seattle Times project that digs into the region’s thorny transportation issues, spotlights promising approaches to easing gridlock, and helps readers find the best ways to get around.

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Transit

King-Snohomish County line on Interstate 5 near the Northeast 130th Street exit where new columns are in the ground.

Lynnwood Link light rail service is scheduled to begin in 2024.

Sound Transit hopes for another $375 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid

Roads

The Coast Guard suggests that if the West Seattle Bridge needs to be replaced, the new version would need to be higher than the current bridge so taller ships can travel under it. This view of the bridge is from south of the bridge looking north. Construction to deal with the cracking under the bridge is seen just below the bridge structure.

Photographed on September 25, 2020. 215169 215169

A new West Seattle Bridge could be even higher than the current 140-foot-tall span

Getting Around

Monday, October 5, 2020 A rider pedals up 4th Ave. on the new bike lane that runs between Pine and Madison streets. 215253