See which West Seattle streets are in city’s just-approved ‘heavy haul network’

(Click the image to see the map as a full-size PDF)
That’s the map of the “heavy-haul network” approved by Seattle City Councilmembers today – a year and a half after the idea started circulating in a big way. This city news release explains:

Mayor Ed Murray praised the Seattle City Council for passing legislation establishing a heavy haul network of city streets in Seattle. The network will allow heavier cargo containers to be transported between the Port of Seattle, industrial businesses and rail yards.

“Seattle is an international gateway and trade supports our strong and diverse economy,” said Mayor Murray. “A heavy haul corridor will help freight move more safely and efficiently through our industrial center. I applaud the Council for approving a plan that will support thousands of trade-dependent jobs and businesses in Seattle, around the region, and across the country.”

The measure provides a framework to repair and build roadways within the network, calls for semi-annual safety inspections of heavy haul trucks, and aligns weight regulations with the state and other municipalities across the country. The proposal will also eliminate citations from the State Patrol to truck drivers for carrying overweight loads.

The proposed corridor will allow the Port to be more competitive with other West Coast ports, which have similar heavy haul networks.

“The Northwest Seaport Alliance thanks the Seattle City Council for its approval of a heavy haul network that will make us a more competitive international gateway and improve the livelihood of truck drivers,” said Port of Seattle Commission Co-President Courtney Gregoire. “Seattle’s heavy haul network, like others in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Tacoma, will allow freight to move more safely and efficiently through our North Harbor.”

The Port of Seattle is contributing $250,000 toward start-up and implementation costs for 2016 and 2017. To offset the anticipated impacts of allowing heavier trucks, the Port will contribute between $10 million and $20 million over the next 20 years towards roadway repair and reconstruction within the network.

Commercial drivers will be required to purchase a $200 annual permit for transporting loads up to 98,000 pounds. The fees collected from the permits will be used to administer the program, including a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer.

As the map shows, the new “network” includes the “low bridge” and West Marginal Way SW.

Mike October 19, 2015 (5:02 pm)

wondering about the impact to bicycle routes and cyclist safety. We already have a conflict due to the close proximity of truck traffic and the established route for bike commuters from West Seattle to downtown. Does this increase that exposure? Any plans in the works to make it safer to bike in to downtown?

let them swim October 19, 2015 (5:22 pm)

If Courtney is related to our last governor, who shoved BIG BERTHA down our throats,
I would not trust her.

themightyrabbit October 19, 2015 (6:42 pm)

Mike, the Prop 1 Move Seattle initiative establishes a grade separated bike path for us, so that would be one of the key ways to maintain/enhance the E.Marginal Way corridor. If it doesn’t pass, then agreed we should remain concerned of impacts.

dsa October 19, 2015 (6:52 pm)

It appears this corridor network plan takes the heavy trucks off the upper level bridge. That is both good and bad, but definitely will help upper level problems.
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Thanks for publishing the map. TV news only mentioned a plan. Instead of showing the map, they made viewers look at the newscaster.

captainDave October 19, 2015 (7:00 pm)

Hmm. Another City fee to pay. I wonder if the $200 permit scheme is simply designed to create more city employment of paper pushers and enforcers while posing another barrier to independent operators? Ultimately, the consumer will pay for this. I wonder if the other more competitive ports are piling on fees like this? How is adding more bureaucracy going to make the Port of Seattle more competitive? Something doesn’t make much sense to me.

JayDee October 19, 2015 (8:57 pm)

How about the Grade Separation at Lander, allowing cars and trucks to travel over the rail lines between 1st and 4th?. We’ve been promised it once or twice, maybe three times with the proposed “Move Seattle” fungible Christmas list of projects. I did see we got more frequent 120 service…whoo…hoo. Not. 930 Million when the inflation adjusted “Bridge the Gap”would only be $527 million…but who’s counting?

wetone October 20, 2015 (11:07 am)

Looks like Port of Seattle Commission Co-President Courtney Gregoire is taking over where her mom left off. Setting the ground work for new terminal 5, and more debt to all. If people think road conditions, traffic and I-5 access are bad now just wait. Most all roads involved inside this “heavy haul corridor” will need rebuilt to hold up properly for added usage and to safely allow loads up to 98,000 pounds. Most these roads are built on soft ground, in bad condition and never designed for such heavy truck usage. It’s crazy how Seattle government just changes laws now or tells other agencies not to enforce laws in Seattle, seems common practice these days. Perfect example from above statement “The proposal will also eliminate citations from the State Patrol to truck drivers for carrying overweight loads.”
Statement shows zero common sense and blatant care for safety. If terminal 5 gets built traffic across lower bridge would most likely be dedicated to trucks if they plan on keeping them off highrise, also impacting 1st ave bridge greatly. Don’t forget how traffic was when ships were in at T-5 (BAD). Another factor in all this is the rail system improvements needed. Duwamish railroad bridge to access WS was built 1928. Get ready for more big $$$ levy’s coming soon :)

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