On the move: This week’s transportation toplines

smbus.jpgBUS ROUTES: First and foremost, a reminder that changes kicked in this past weekend on the downtown section of several routes that go through West Seattle, leading up to today’s reopening of the bus tunnel: The following routes that used to travel 1st Avenue downtown now travel 3rd Avenue instead — 54 and 55 all the time (their 5th Ave segments also now are on 3rd instead), 56 Express northbound during mornings only, 21 Express northbound during mornings only. Read this carefully for Metro’s complete update, including a list of the routes now running in the tunnel again, and other changes. SCENIC_Alaskan_Way_AWV1.jpgTHE VIADUCT: The city Transportation Department reps at last week’s Alki Community Council meeting said the city and state are now cooperating again in the process of figuring out what’s next for The Viaduct. Whew, that’s a relief. This week, you can participate in a West Seattle “public scoping meeting” regarding the plan to replace the south end of The Viaduct no matter what is decided for the middle part of it; it’s happening 5-8 pm Wednesday @ Madison Middle School, with the presentation scheduled to start at 6.

2 Replies to "On the move: This week's transportation toplines"

  • AJL September 24, 2007 (2:16 pm)

    One thing of note regarding the new routes (for the 54 and 55 especially) heading up and down 3rd Ave – those stops between 2nd and 3rd are dangerous for bicyclists! Very steep inclines that could make it difficult to get your bike on/off the racks. We have also all experienced bus roll at one point or another too. Not to mention getting your bike either up the hill riding from mid-point or navigating to the sidewalk. I’ve put an inquiry into Metro about letting bicyclists use the first/last stop on 3rd instead of first/last in the Ride Free area that they prefer us to use due to multiple hazards. My bus driver let me use 3rd this morning.

  • Sue September 24, 2007 (9:03 pm)

    Thanks for mentioning this, AJL. I’m not a bicyclist, but will pass it on to my husband who is. I did find it odd when I drove downtown on Satuday and saw the new bus lane up Seneca that said it was open to buses and bicylists, and my husband said that no way would he bike up that hill with no separate bike lane, riding a steep hill and holding up a bus.
    I didn’t take the bus downtown today, but I don’t think I’ll be getting off at that first stop either (without a bike) because I don’t feel like navigating that hill when I have mobility issues, even though I work in WaMu tower which is right there. I’d rather just get off at the next stop in front of the post office and walk back a block.
    The one plus I see to it is that when the bus turns (going back to WS) onto Columbia and people start screaming that they don’t want to go to WS, at least there will still be another stop for them now.

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