Midweek Roundup: Pinehurst Station
by Nathan Dickey from Seattle Transit Blog on (#6TJ1K)
Transit & Streets:- A major repaving project on Denny Way will kick off early this year (SDOT Blog). Sign up for tomorrow's virtual open house here (6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025).
- Last Friday, transit operators from around the PNW mourned Shawn Yim (Metro Matters). An STB article on public safety and transit is in the works.
- In a reversal of Inslee-era climate priorities, Ferguson may delay converting ferries to electric power (The Seattle Times, $). In 2024, the ferry system recorded 19.1 million boardings, up 2.6% from 2023 (WSDOT Blog). In other climate news, Washington is a hotbed for carbon capture research (The Seattle Times, $).
- King County Metro is adding 120 Tesla Model Ys to its vanpool fleet (Mass Transit Magazine).
- Governer-elect Bob Ferguson has named Julie Meredith, manager of WSDOT construction megaprojects like the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement and SR-520 floating bridge rebuild to be Transportation Secretary (aka head of WSDOT) (Washington State Standard).
- Heavy construction on the Route 40 TPMC project to begin this year (SDOT Blog)
- Sound Transit has started construction of a second elevator at the SeaTac station skybridge (The Platform)
- Sound Transit wants your input on the At-Grade Crossing Program Draft Master Plan, the Graham Street Station project, and the Boeing Access Road Station project (The Platform).
- The NE 130th Street Station will be officially named on Thursday; Pinehurst Station" is the leading contender (Sound Transit).
- A review of zoning reforms enacted across the USA in 2024 (Planetizen).
- At the top of WA Democrats' housing agenda is House Bill 1217, which would cap annual rent increases at 7% and prohibit landlords from raising rent a tenant's first year (The Urbanist). A number of other housing priorities are on the docket as well. Also covered by Cascade PBS.
- Anna Zivarts opines: Washington State Should Allow Riders to Serve on Transit Boards (The Urbanist)
- Alon Levy muses on how train station design impacts user experience (Pedestrian Observations)
- Starbucks is reversing its open-door door policy (The Seattle Times, $).
- An interview with Cameron Booth, who is cataloging Portland's streetcar history (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
This is an Open Thread.