Traffic Lab

Traffic Lab
The West Seattle Bridge was closed March 23 because of growing cracks in its concrete girders. Mayor Jenny Durkan says the city should repair — not replace — the bridge because that is the surest and quickest option to restore traffic. (Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)
The West Seattle Bridge was closed March 23 because of growing cracks in its concrete girders. Mayor Jenny Durkan says the city should repair — not replace — the bridge because that is the surest and quickest option to restore traffic. (Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)

Mayor Durkan wants to repair, not replace, the cracked West Seattle Bridge

Mayor Jenny Durkan says the city should repair the cracked West Seattle Bridge, and she hopes to reopen the span in 2022. West Seattle motorists have detoured since late March, when cracks in the concrete girders caused officials to call for an emergency shutdown.

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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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Contact us at trafficlab@seattletimes.com

Transit

A 2020 Washington State car tab, photo taken Sept. 30, 2019.

Seattle City Council approves new car-tab fee. Here’s how much you’ll pay.

Roads

A 2020 Washington State car tab, photo taken Sept. 30, 2019.

Seattle City Council approves new car-tab fee. Here’s how much you’ll pay.

Getting Around

A 2020 Washington State car tab, photo taken Sept. 30, 2019.

Seattle City Council approves new car-tab fee. Here’s how much you’ll pay.

Technology

Walmart teams with GM to test autonomous deliveries

DETROIT (AP) — Walmart is teaming up with the General Motors' autonomous vehicle unit to test driverless delivery in Arizona. The companies say battery powered Chevrolet Volt vehicles will begin deliveries in Scottsdale early next year. At first they'll have human backup drivers who will monitor the cars and help to deliver packages to doors....