By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Four months ago today, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition informed the city of what it considers the five “most pressing transportation issues” for the peninsula, and set a deadline for responses on what could/would be done about them.
In some cases, the answers boiled down to “not much, without spending a ton of money,” as you might have seen in our report earlier this month, featuring the replies sent to the WSTC right at the wire.
Meeting for the first time in 2015, the WSTC said in essence, that’s not good enough. Its list of 5, meantime, is down to 4. Here’s how the discussion, and other hot transportation topics, unfolded:
WSTC’S 5 PRIORITIES, THE FOLLOWUP: Reviewing the responses, WSTC co-chair Amanda Kay Helmick observed that overall, they seemed more about keeping a dialogue open than recommending solutions, with the exception of what was #2 in the September letter, an emergency-relief plan for the peninsula, shelved because the presentation at WSTC’s last meeting convinced them that the city has it covered. Otherwise, regarding the other points, there was general concern that the SDOT replies were a little more dismissive than they should be.
For issue #3, increasing access to the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct from SODO, Michael Taylor-Judd said the SDOT reply seems to “shrug” at the fact that access was reduced when the SSV was widened – taking away the 4th Avenue onramp – and while its response says they’ll “look at it,” in Taylor-Judd’s words, “they should have been looking at it 10 years.”
The answers that could be distilled to “not likely any time soon since it would cost a lot,” were considered less than satisfactory. Some hope then was expressed that if the city can’t build some needed infrastructure, maybe the Port of Seattle can (as it did with the East Marginal flyover south of the “high-rise” WS Bridge). SDOT mentioned the Port as well, in its reply about #4, completing the Lander Street Overpass project.
Issue #5, faster handling of incidents that block all or part of the bridge, generated the most discussion – including towing policy. WSTC resolved to ask Seattle Police for more information about that. Next steps on that include involvement in the West Seattle Bridge Corridor Management Task Force meetings that are expected to start by spring.
Now, more of what came up at the WSTC meeting:
LEGISLATURE TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE? King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s transportation adviser Chris Arkills said so far, it was looking like if there will be one, it will happen sooner rather than later. From what he’s hearing, it will include a mix of taxes. And he said that every version he’s seen/heard of so far does include two more years of the soon-to-run-out “mitigation money” covering transit compensating for the no-end-in-sight Highway 99 project.
MORE ABOUT METRO: Also from Arkills – the transit service is kicking off its process of developing a long-range plan. “It’s not going to be a task force or anything, it’s going to be a series of public meetings throughout the county,” likely starting soon.
SOUND TRANSIT’S NEXT BALLOT MEASURE: Arkills also offered information in this discussion. Taylor-Judd suggested that a Ballard vs. West Seattle battle for light-rail funding seemed to be shaping up. Helmick wondered if WSTC “needs to jump on that,” while later adding that she did not want to see West Seattle and Ballard pitted against each other, and was instead in favor of collaboration. Arkills said there were many ways that the various needs could be addressed – but probably not a “full meal deal” taking rail all the way into Ballard AND all the way into West Seattle.
BIKE-SHARING: Chas Redmond wondered why, with the Pronto bike-share bicycles so visible elsewhere in the city, aren’t they here in West Seattle (the service’s website erroneously touts stations “all over the city”)? Arkills suggested that was just because it’s a new program, and it’s starting smaller, as did car-sharing programs. He also suggested WSTC could be “constructive” by, for example, going to Pronto with suggestions for where its program might work here. And when someone suggested that bicycle lanes are still underused, a chorus of counters to that erupted. “As a driver, I feel safer” when bicycle and car traffic are separated as they are in some places downtown, for example, noted WSTC’s Deb Barker.
WESTWOOD BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS: WSTC co-chair Helmick recapped Metro’s plan for lighting and sidewalk improvements at the Westwood “transit center,” which she had announced earlier this month, and recapped at last week’s Delridge District Council meeting (WSB coverage here).
SDOT’S MULTIMODAL CORRIDORS PROGRAM: Helmick also recapped last week’s Delridge DC presentation by SDOT’s Sara Zora, who she says will be at WWRHAH’s next meeting, 6:15 pm Tuesday, February 3rd, at the Southwest Branch Library (35th/Henderson).
PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGES: The proposals, as revised, will be up for a vote at future meetings, so watch the WSTC’s website and other channels for what’s proposed.
NEXT MONTH: WSTC will be trying for a guest from the Port, among other things.
WSTC now meets on fourth Thursdays, 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center.
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