Midweek Roundup: Fix the L8

Route 14 trolleybus turns from 2nd Ave S to S Washington in April 1977 (Mitchell Libby). The trolleybus network was significantly revamped the following year. A similar view in July 2021 (note the 50 years of tree growth).

38 daysuntil theDowntown Redmond Link Extension opens on May 10. Sound Transit recently announced opening day details.

As Seattle pulls out of the Big Dark, SDOT has travel guides for getting to events at the Climate Pledge Arena and seeing the cherry blossoms at UW. The Urbanist mapped out Seattle's more than 17,000 cherry trees and 27,000 other blooming arbors.

Transportation:

• King County Metro piloted Advanced Service Management" (ASM) on RapidRides A and F last year, and is now using ASM on Rapidride G to reduce bunching (Metro Matters).
• State transportation budget proposals are full steam ahead on highway expansions (The Urbanist).
• WSDOT is now planning to rebuilt 900 feet of road deck on I-5 just north of SR-520 this summer (The Seattle Times, $). More details on WSDOT's Blog.
• The Trump Admin's nominee for FTA Administrator, Marc Molinaro, has pledged to keep federal transit grant dollars flowing (Eno Center for Transportation). Reportedly, Molinaro enjoys the electoral support of several transit unions.
• Car bloat in recent years has reduced roadway capacity on Twin Cities freeways by nearly 10% (Bloomberg CityLab). A striking statistic: for every life saved by being in a larger car, twelve people are killed in smaller vehicles during collisions. Pedestrians and cyclists are even worse off.
• In California, a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge ordered operators of the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority back to work after a 16-day strike (San Jose Insider). 1,500 VTA operators demanding higher wages sat down on March 11 (CBS News Bay Area).

Land Use & Housing:

• Cathy Moore (Seattle Council D5) is puzzled" why Democrats in the state legislature are legalizing denser housing (The Seattle Times, $). Robert Cruikshank points out Moore is out of step with voters; David Kroman replies (Bluesky).
• The Seattle housing market is still too expensive, but buyers are starting to get concessions on new builds (The Seattle Times, $).
• Bellevue's new comprehensive plan includes high-rises between I-405 and Eastrail in Wilburton around the new 2 Line station (The Urbanist).
• Seattle has lots of old buildings that used to offer affordable housing, but are now rented at high market" rates after mild renovations (The Seattle Times, $). The soaring rents of the 2010s were driven by one factor: a shortage."

Commentary & Miscellaneous:

• Fix the L8" advocates want dedicated bus lanes on Denny to get Metro's Route 8 back up to speed (The Urbanist).
• As Dow Constantine takes the reins of Sound Transit, he must prove the Board made the right choice (The Seattle Times Editorial Board, $)
• Sara Nelson (Seattle City Council D9) joined Erica C. Barnett and company on the Seattle Nice podcast to discuss the recent vote to allow housing in the Stadium District, and more (PubliCola).
• Progressive champion legislator Frank Chopp died on March 22, 2025 (The Cascadia Advocate). His legacy of affordable housing and other programs will benefit Washington for a long time (The Seattle Times, $). Colleen Echohawk writes deep gratitude for his work (The Stranger).
• How to leverage conservative principles to advance progressive policies regarding parking and congestion pricing (Bloomberg CityLab).
• Let election season begin: The Urbanist issued an early endorsement for Alexis Mercedes Rinck as she starts her reelection campaign.

This is an Open Thread.