TreeHouse July 19, 2019 (6:16 pm)

I was on the 55 and it took an hour and thirty minutes to get home from Third and Seneca in downtown. We need to put bus only lanes back on these routes!

Eric Torgerson July 24, 2019 (5:09 am)

Not enough room for bus only lanes downtown to many people drive downtown some if not most car drivers I know hat bus only lanes they see 20-50 people on the bus versus 100+ people who drive on are all ready undersized roads including the tunnel
- WSB July 24, 2019 (9:49 am)
  
  Buses make traffic better. Ever see that video/photo (I don’t have the time to go looking for it but perhaps someone reading this does) showing the space taken by all the cars it would take to transport all the people in one bus?
  - miws July 24, 2019 (10:50 am)
    
    I believe this depicts what WSB is referencing… https://i2.wp.com/john-s-allen.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/muenster_poster.jpg
    - WSB July 24, 2019 (11:02 am)
      
      Thank you, yes, I’ve seen all sorts of variants but that’s basically it.

Carl July 19, 2019 (6:18 pm)

This is what my One Bus Away looks like to downtown from Myrtle. Who knows if it’s accurate.

flimflam July 19, 2019 (6:27 pm)

wow, so frustrating i’m sure…

Jort July 19, 2019 (6:34 pm)

Well, look on the bright side: Jenny “Cars-First” Durkan can take pride in knowing that no car drivers’ feelings were hurt by de-prioritizing them in favor of public transportation. It is long past time for our “liberal” mayor to begin banning private vehicles from out transit corridors so that buses can move through quickly. I do not care if that means it takes 13 hours to commute with your private vehicle. It is 100 percent unacceptable for buses to sit in traffic behind private, single-occupant automobile drivers, especially since private vehicles are Seattle’s single largest source of carbon emissions. But, knowing that such decisions would hurt car drivers’ feelings and, most especially, enrage the Seattle Times comment section, Durkan will continue to sacrifice socially-responsible transit riders. What a spineless joke of a mayor.

WSB July 19, 2019 (6:54 pm)

You can tell her that in person tomorrow. The mayor’s office oddly and last-minute-dly have announced she’ll be walking around The Junction tomorrow at 10 before she and the chief walk in the parade (also a last-minute addition).
- Jort July 19, 2019 (7:20 pm)
  
  Good idea! Maybe if I dress myself up in a costume that looks like an unhinged lunatic Seattle Times comment section she’ll listen to me!
  - WSB July 19, 2019 (8:02 pm)
    
    I think a lunatic KIRO Radio (aka MyNW) comment section costume might be even more catchy.
- Ali July 19, 2019 (7:51 pm)
  
  Does anyone know the best way/approach to register complaints to city officials about the new bus routes from West Seattle to and from downtown? Who should we be directing complaints to?It has been maddening to be stuck in Pioneer Square day after day and you can feel the collective outrage on the bus each day.
  - WSB July 19, 2019 (8:00 pm)
    
    Buses are the county, not the city (although the city chips in $).
    https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/contact-us.aspx
  - LT July 20, 2019 (9:41 am)
    
    I’ve used the Contact Us multiple times to report issues on the new 1st Ave routing of the C line and have gotten no response. To me the solution wouldn’t be taking cars off of First Ave. The buses do not belong there. Routing buses through Pioneer Square was always a ridiculous idea. Because of my odd commute times, getting home is generally not an issue, but the nightmare of trying to get TO 3rd & Seneca is horrendous. There have been a few times II’ve gotten off at King St and walked and never seen a C pass me. Transit times were much faster to downtown during Viadoom because the C went on the busway. I have no idea why they didn’t continue that routing until the final route is complete. When I asked (multiple times) I never got a response. I am a huge Metro advocate usually but this routing on 1st Ave has really put a dent in my attitude.
Gene July 19, 2019 (7:05 pm)

Late/ missing buses-ridiculous travel times- looks like getting back in our SOV is the solution!! Yep!!
Laughable July 19, 2019 (7:06 pm)

While I do believe buses should be prioritized it is laughable that you feel private vehicles should be banned from driving downtown. It’s great that some people can walk or bike to work or even take the bus, but that just isn’t an option for everyone. Maybe when light rail is an option more people can get out of their cars but until there is reliable transportation for everyone cars will remain a necessity for a lot of people and the city needs to plan and design around that.
- Jort July 19, 2019 (7:18 pm)
  
  No no, not banned from driving downtown. Banned from driving on bus routes. As for planning for cars, the city has planned nearly all of its transportation choices almost entirely around the private automobile for about 100 years. Guess what?! It isn’t fixing congestion. The only solution is making alternative transportation cheaper, easier and faster than driving a private vehicle. No city on planet earth in the entirety of human history has “solved” traffic congestion by continuing to prioritize single-occupant automobile driving. Seattle is not going to be the first city to do so, either. Get the cars out of the way of the buses. If that means car drivers taking a tiny side road for 17 hours, then maybe consider getting over it and taking the bus instead?
  - Quora July 19, 2019 (8:28 pm)
    
    You are right and it is exacerbated by the $&@? show that is Pioneer Square. Why in the hell the transit “planners” (if you want to call them that) ever thought routing buses AND cars that were all diverted from the old viaduct would be a good idea is beyond me. Before anyone comments “well what do you suggest, Quora”, I suggest what Jort suggests; buses and cars cannot share that road as part of an evening commute; re-route the cars accordingly and make that section of Pioneer Square transit only so people can get the hell home in a reasonable amount of time. And in the interest of full disclosure, my wife and I each have cars and we still take the bus every day because if everyone drives, well, that isn’t going to work.
  - M July 20, 2019 (7:53 am)
    
    Make a “First” class version of the bus and I’m in. I don’t ride the bus because it’s not a pleasant experience. Stinky, crowded, unsafe.
    - Agreed July 20, 2019 (3:29 pm)
      
      Agreed! Make the bus riding experience more comfortable, add more patrols downtown so the bus stops are safer, add more covered tops for the stops during rainy season, and make the schedules really dependable so you can actually make plans and be on time. Having to choose between standing on an overcrowded bus 30-60 minutes (or longer), or waiting for the next one (and be late) isn’t a viable option for everyone.
    - CAM July 21, 2019 (10:48 am)
      
      They remove those shelters because people complain that homeless people congregate under them. You can’t have it both ways. The bus is quite safe and clean and there are very few stops where you are actually likely to be at risk or harassed on a regular basis. Not that it couldn’t be improved, but it isn’t as bad as you make it out to be.
    - Jim Walker July 20, 2019 (4:31 pm)
      
      Riding the bus has to be safer than riding your high horse to work.
- Duwamesque July 19, 2019 (7:29 pm)
  
  I don’t thinl the OP was suggesting cars be banned from downtown but was referencing the mayor’s decision to delay making 3rd Ave a transit only corridor. I think the number of folks who actually “need” to take a private vehicle into town is fairly minimal (versus those who simply refuse to be inconvenienced by bus schedules). The vast majority of us are in busses which are stuck in traffic largely due to single-occupancy vehicles. Major cities have to decide how to prioritize traffic efficiently. Transit needs to be prioritized to move the greatest number of people to their jobs.
flimflam July 19, 2019 (7:50 pm)

…and predictably here’s jort with his/her weird anti car at all times opinion.
- Mike July 20, 2019 (9:27 pm)
  
  My favorite is this wacko no truth at all comment by jort “the city has planned nearly all of its transportation choices almost entirely around the private automobile for about 100 years” Yes, the city was definitely planning cars as a priority in 1919. Yup, I remember hearing about the Model T gangs taking over the streets, driving along the non existent I5 to access the non existent West Seattle bridge. Everyone was hoping to get the horse lanes, but the gosh darn Model T people were the only ones the city officials would listen to.

Coffeedude July 19, 2019 (6:42 pm)

If SDOT could get a clue and make all way walks and time the lights we would have so much better flow. However they seem to be more than clueless in this department.

Jort July 19, 2019 (7:15 pm)

Everyone thinks there’s some magic solution to “timing the lights” to resolve traffic. If this were possible, it would have been done and replicated across the world. But the reality is that there is no “cure” for traffic congestion, because traffic is caused first and foremost by too many vehicles. When you reduce vehicles, you reduce traffic. That’s why it’s time to reduce the amount of private vehicles on bus routes. No city has ever “cured” traffic congestion with some magic solution. Seattle will not be the first city in human history to discover a “cure.”
- Really? July 20, 2019 (6:20 am)
  
  It has been done and replicated all over the world. And traffic flows significantly better in cities far larger than Seattle that have done it. It has nothing to do with a “cure.” It’s common sense. And it doesn’t happen in Seattle because of money and bureaucracy. The county runs the buses and the city runs the roads. Biggest mistake Seattle made was giving up its buses that it controlled.
  - Interested July 22, 2019 (3:28 pm)
    
    Where?
M July 19, 2019 (7:35 pm)

Totally agree. At a minimum, there should be walk all ways crosswalks at every major downtown insterction during peak hours. Pedestrian crossings prevent cars and buses from turing and therefore contribute to the congestion.
- CAM July 20, 2019 (12:06 am)
  
  I am occasionally forced to drive down 1st rather than getting to take the bus. The thing preventing me from turning at any intersection is the cars stopped in front of me because there is no room for them to go through the intersection not pedestrians. People in cars, including me on some days, are the problem not everyone else.

Steve July 19, 2019 (6:51 pm)

I have been looking for a car for weeks now but have been hesitant to pull the trigger. Seriously considering buying a bicycle knowing that on some commutes I could get to my destination faster than vehicles could.

Jort July 19, 2019 (7:12 pm)

Consider an e-bike! It makes getting up our hills and going around the city a piece of cake, even on cruddy days.
Molly July 19, 2019 (7:16 pm)

My husband started biking for exactly this reason. The 57 would take 45+ minutes driving time in addition to the *waiting* time, so he started biking. He now takes 24 minutes to get from home to work. You get used to the hills eventually. I’d highly recommend looking into a good bike or an electric bike. Just find good rain gear and you’ll be fine during the winter months.

JayDee July 19, 2019 (6:52 pm)

I was caught in the same gridlock and gave WSB my input as to the cause: Closing of Yesler, Washington, and King Streets due to the Viaduct demo. Totally predictable and no one talked to anyone. I hope they make reroutes next week using 2nd/4th or busway diversions where possible. 1 hour 45 minutes to get home. Even my driver was uninformed. It started at 4:25 (I was on the 4:04 56) and Metro sent the alert at 5:35. Good timing.

JN July 19, 2019 (7:03 pm)

37 minutes from Capitol Hill to the Junction @5pm by bike. Same as it is everyday (barring low bridge opening).

bus rider July 19, 2019 (7:08 pm)

My first 2 hour commute. I’m all for congestion price in downtown Seattle now!

Sleeping in the Bus July 19, 2019 (7:21 pm)

I was on the C Line today and the 120 last Friday and both times it was like Kelly Park reported. Metro said congestion but last Friday there was a flagger on Railroad Rd, that was making vehicles stop for no real reason. There wasn’t an obvious need for a flagger (traffic lights worked, no construction vehicles needed to get through). It didn’t help that a multi level parking lot was exiting out onto the same street that my bus was in. Today there was a flagger on 1st Ave, was there a Mariner’s game? The bright side was my bus driver today had a good attitude and kept apologizing for something out of his control.If Fridays are going to be about 1 hour wait to go one block. I’m thinking of taking the light rail to Sodo Station and then taking 50 to WS and then 120/125 to where I live. Or taking the light rail to Beacon Hill and then taking to 60 to WS. Its annoying to have to do this, but at least, I’ll be moving.

HG July 19, 2019 (7:37 pm)

The commutes are becoming unbearable. With having to do daycare drop off and pick up, it’s almost impossible to work an 8 hour work day, and I even don’t take a lunch break any more to even do that. SIX miles from my house on public transportation. Absolutely absurd.

Time I will never get back July 19, 2019 (7:43 pm)

It’s absurd that buses are going through Pioneer Square! Really boggles the mind when there are other possible routes that could be taken….There is nothing rapid about rapid ride!

Kc July 19, 2019 (7:51 pm)

Light rail can not come soon enough!!!what on earth do you expect when you put cars on the same pavement as your Mass transit. They call that “Mass Mess”. Have the bus traffic go third Ave south bound get into the bus only express lane east of 4ave. Then go east on Spokane or lander when the overpass is complete. Problem solved this city is mess up. You allow a building to be built near a transit center and you need not to provide parking. Then the tenant parks on the street and everyone is up in arms to a point there must be restricted street parking. A builder does not like to dig a hole just for parking be cause it is expensive. It is a real catch 22you know the director of downtown (in) mobility leaves in west SEATTLE I wonder how her commute was

dsa July 19, 2019 (7:56 pm)

Need traffic a control officer instead of lights during congestion times at key intersections. They can decide who needs to go while the other direction can wait longer, or much longer. A good computer controller could do it, but I don’t think we are there yet.

wscommuter July 22, 2019 (11:22 am)

Strongly agree with this comment. Downtown has become a system of drivers (bus drivers included) behaving badly out of frustration/impatience. I see daily – multiple – events of drivers blocking traffic trying to cut to the front of turning lanes, bus drivers knowingly blocking intersections and bike riders “white-lining” (5th Ave especially) – all of these things would not happen if there were a uniformed officer standing there. Expensive, perhaps. But it would make stuff move better.

Kravitz July 19, 2019 (7:56 pm)

I’m a Seattle native and I love this stupid, dysfunctional, and overpriced city, but after tonight’s commute, I feel completely exhausted and FED UP with the lack of planning and leadership in this city. One tries to do the right thing by taking a single-occupant vehicle off the road and commuting to and from work by bus – a mere 5 or 6 miles – and it takes OVER TWO HOURS? Furthermore, I rarely feel safe on the C-Line, and NEVER feel safe at 3rd and Pike waiting for it. It’s disheartening to see such a wealthy and powerful city failing epically at basic infrastructure, urban planning, housing affordability, safety and pretty much everything else that’s required for the success of a great and desirable city. I remember the billboard, “Will the last person leaving Seattle turn out the lights?” I would’ve left a long time ago if only I hadn’t been stuck in traffic.

Mel July 20, 2019 (12:05 am)

I feel ya Kravitz. I could have written this post though I am not native Seattlite. Been here for 20 + years though. I can’t do the bus in winter dark hours as I feel very unsafe at the shelters getting on and off and at 3rd/Pine stop.

Quora July 19, 2019 (8:05 pm)

I’ve been beating this drum for a while. It’s a complete and utter mess. Took me 1.25 hours to get home from 3rd and Seneca to Admiral on Wednesday so I said screw it and worked remotely the last two days. If this is the new normal I’ll be doing that a lot more.

Pigeon Point Mom July 19, 2019 (8:17 pm)

I was on the 120 stuck at the 1st and Dearborn intersection when that rogue C line went past. Boy, that looked like a good idea! I’ve been fed up with this awful route for a few weeks. I decided to walk to the 1st and King stop instead of my usual 3rd and Columbia stop, thinking that I could probably walk there faster than the bus was moving. I was totally right. According to the 120 I got on, it took 37 minutes to get between those two stops (took me 17 minutes to walk there from Harborview). I sat on the bus an additional ~30 minutes to go literally 1 block before we finally got onto a wide open 99 South and counted myself extraordinarily fortunate, because last week my hour long bus journey was standing on a crowded 120 with minimal AC, and this time was sitting on a 3/4 empty one with lots of cool air.

1994 July 19, 2019 (8:48 pm)

So much for that special transportation benefit district extra car tab tax for improving bus service in the city. Sounds like Metro should coordinate with SDOT to MOVE the Seattle traffic so both agencies make it a reality to improve bus service with all that extra tax revenue citizens have been paying.

Graciano July 19, 2019 (9:01 pm)

If you don’t like it now, give it a few months…, It’s only going to get worse.

SeaVieu July 20, 2019 (4:29 am)

Why is that? Shouldn’t it (at least the C bus) get better when the route down Western starts?

Ice July 19, 2019 (9:23 pm)

I was on a bike today, but usually I am on the bus. The 1st ave rerout for the West Seattle buses really sucks. Today was exceptionally bad, but most days on 1st ave are a crawl at best. I don’t know why they didn’t just keep the same rerout they did for the ‘Viadoom,’ it was only a few minutes slower than the original routs viaduct routs and they would pass by the Lightrail station. Currently, getting to the LR from West Seattle is a total pain. It would be so nice if the C ran directly to a LR station. Either get a better rout for the buses or put a bus only lane on 1st ave so these SOVs don’t get in the buses way.

Kathy July 20, 2019 (11:21 am)

The 50 bus goes to the SODO light rail station. And with the density in Alki rapidly increasing, we could use 15 minute headways on that route instead of half hour.

jan July 19, 2019 (9:23 pm)

pro-tip: it’s faster to get off the bus at 3rd and Columbia and walk the 10 minutes to the next stop and get on one of the 2-3 C lines ahead.

WSB July 19, 2019 (9:31 pm)

Reminder for those who missed this in past reports and in a comment thread the other day …the current route is not the permanent route.
https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/transportation/metro/programs-projects/alaskan-way-viaduct/interim-and-permanent-southend-pathways.pdf

KM July 19, 2019 (10:30 pm)

In addition to those struggling to leave downtown, I waited 30 mins+ for a C line headed to the Junction from 35th and Barton this afternoon before I gave up and drove. C line busses headed SB on Fauntleroy by Lincoln Park couldn’t get around the backup for the ferry–too many parked cars blocking the ferry lane, and only one tow truck working on it. 5-6 parked cars ruined it. Maybe this is an isolated incident (I’m rarely in that area in the afternoon). Probably wise to end that parking much sooner, so the single tow truck monitoring it has time before the rush. The same can be said about 1st downtown through Pioneer Square–parking shouldn’t be allowed during this temporary bus reroute. Seattle truly is incapable of handling multi-purpose lanes.

Brayton July 19, 2019 (11:02 pm)

It’s only a matter of time before a transit rider, driver, or someone else gets hurt. The amount of pent up rage is palpable from everyone. The common question that remains unanswered is: WHY the F is Metro routing like this? Meanwhile, crickets from Metro.I feel bad for the drivers who have to deal with this. Surely this increases their anxiety and practically eliminates the amount of time they have to eat, use the restroom, or even stand. I personally would cheer any driver who goes rogue and drives the bus down another street.

Metro. We’ll get you there [eventually. Bring emergency rations and an empty bladder].

not rapid July 19, 2019 (11:09 pm)

Ever since the busses started going through pioneer square, I think the lost the naming rights for “rapid transit”. Its literally faster to walk that length and get back on the bus after your through it.Oh my!Also, the people who griped about xwalks are crazy. Pioneer square is about pedestrians and foot traffic. The problem is not the walkers. The problem is routing “express” busses through the walking district. If you gotta do it, the least you can do is get the single occupancy vehicles outta there. Relegate them to some other street pleeeeze!

Stopped July 19, 2019 (11:22 pm)

I love the vitriolic blaming of SOVs for this problem. If you observe what’s going on during these commutes, you’ll see there are multiple contributing factors, and no one from SDOT seems to be trying to do anything to fix it. First, when you get onto First Avenue downtown heading south, the left hand lane is routinely blocked by cars who turn from the left lane east onto either Spring or Marion. Typically one or two cars make this turn during each light cycle and everyone in the left lane behind them … just … sits. Those turns should not be allowed during rush hour to keep both lanes moving. There are also routinely UPS trucks stopped in the right hand lane — several of them — between Marion and Columbia. This is every day between 5 and 6 pm. We need traffic officers on bikes on the sidewalk there to give UPS drivers (and uber/lyft drivers) who stop in the right hand lane for any reason during rush hour tickets.Second, every articulated bus turning south onto 1st from Madison and Columbia turns on the yellow and then blocks the intersection for most of the green cycle heading south on 1st. Fine, bus riders believe they are superior to everyone else, but aggressive bus drivers blocking the flow contributes to the overall traffic problem for everyone.Third, the traffic lights heading south on 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square are not well timed. Most of the streets heading west beyond 1st are closed, but the east/west lights run at least as long as the north/south lights. That should not be the case, especially during rush hour if 1st is going to be a corridor to move people south and towards west seattle.Fourth, the Pioneer Square corridor is obviously not meant to handle this amount of bus traffic. Duh! The entire left lane on 1st from Cherry to Jackson is wall-to-wall articulated buses at rush hour. And then they all try to get into the right lane for that (I’m sorry) ridiculous new bus stop at 1st and Jackson, where each bus stops halfway blocking the right lane so no one else in the right lane behind them can go while they stop to pick up passengers.Fifth, the light cycle at 1st and Jackson, to turn right to get onto the 99 “on ramp”, is TERRIBLE. Cars heading north on first and turning on Jackson get the longest cycle, by far. It must be twice as long as the cycle going south (remember, this is the chosen corridor to get people south and to west seattle). The cycle should be reversed, BUT thenSixth, the “on ramp” on Jackson to turn left onto 99 is TOO SHORT! It can fit maybe two articulated buses and that’s it. And guess what, that light is not coordinated either, so the light turns green to head south on 1st and two buses make the turn into the “on ramp” on Jackson and just sit there, because the light to get onto 99 is red when the light feeding cars onto the on ramp from first is green! So no one heading south on 1st moves.Complaining as though SOVs are the problem is really short-sighted and ignores that we SOV drivers are getting taxed to death to pay for the bus service and bus lanes as well. I rode the bus too, but being in an SOV allows me to take alternative routes when the traffic is borked like this, and like it so often is. But there are a lot of problems here, including that this route through Pioneer Square is not at all equipped for the volume of buses that are using it, and all of the “smart” SDOT people do not care about this and are not trying to cycle the lights or think critically about this as a problem for many (many) of us, that wastes all of our valuable time, and actually do something about it.Today, for example, I got frustrated from the traffic on 1st getting to Jackson and went straight by the stadiums rather than trying to turn onto 99 at Jackson. There was NO TRAFFIC on 1st after Jackson, even with the Mariners game, and the rest of the ride home on 1st to the bridge was smooth sailing.Where are the critical thinkers at SDOT? Are there any? Does anyone who has control over traffic flow think this is a problem? Obviously not.

sam-c July 20, 2019 (7:39 am)

By far the best comment on this thread (vs all the complaining and fighting and blanket statements about SOVs). I would hope you will share your thorough analysis with SDOT, and the mayor etc.
Michael B July 20, 2019 (11:07 am)

Great, factual observations from Stopped. At least some relief will come when all lanes of Alaskan Way are reopened but everything else is persistent. In the meantime, rush-hour directing of traffic and pedestrians onto and on Alaska Way could provide some benefit I second the call for enforcement of “no stopping” on 1st and of intersection-blockers – both private vehicles AND Metro buses.

dsa July 20, 2019 (12:29 am)

Stopped explained the frustrating causes above. Unfortunately SDOT and SPD cannot resolve our problems until city hall decides to.

Bradley July 20, 2019 (1:50 am)

This is just one more reason why I drive my own car.

waikikigirl July 20, 2019 (4:47 am)

I think after last nights commute all the above commenters need to schedule an appointment at:

Spa Phoebe: West Seattle Blog’s newest sponsor!

JayDee July 20, 2019 (6:00 am)

Thanks Stopped–you captured what I observed and more. The link WSB shared shows an alternate routing from 3rd Ave down James to 2nd Ave southbound. They should be using that rather than this stupid Pioneer Square re-route southbound. More importantly why was Metro blind to Friday’s commute CF? Closing 3 streets WB to Alaskan Way? What did Metro and SDOT think would happen?

Tsurly July 20, 2019 (6:52 am)

45 minutes by bike from downtown to Morgan Junction, including riding the back way around Alki. Great commute!

James Skrzypczak July 20, 2019 (7:07 am)

I take the relaxing water taxi from West Seattle to downtown most days. Then I walk or run to the 40, 62 or 5 bus lines at 3rd and Union to Fremont. This is my return route as well. If you live in West Seattle try the water taxi, less stressful and plenty of seats, happy folks and great views.

J July 20, 2019 (1:25 pm)

Is it easy enough to find all-day parking near the water taxi? I live in south delridge and my bus commute has been 1.5-2 hours on the reroute. Desperate for a solution. I cant ride a bike because of back problems unfortunately.

Joan July 20, 2019 (8:39 am)

Wow, how horrible! I’m glad I’m retired and no more commuting! It wasn’t long before I learned that Friday traffic was THE worst. I got to the point where I worked at home on Fridays. Luckily, I was able to do that. My advice is if it’s possible for you to work at home, at least one day a week, pick Friday. You will be so happy. That’s regardless of any other traffic jams. Fridays are bad, unless you can leave work by 2 p.m. or so.

JayDee July 20, 2019 (10:50 am)

TSurly:I own a LHT but I don’t ride downtown because of cars. In downtown at 5th and Union I got hit walking in a cross-walk with the walk sign and got a broken back in the process. The car was only going 5-10 mph. Seattle’s bike paths are an invitation to an accident. Anyone driving a vehicle are actually trying to kill you–you have to assume that both riding andwalking and the so-called “bike paths” are no different. I ride transit because I don’t contribute to the SOV problem. If I could ride a bike without thinking of being a paraplegic I would.

Kathy July 20, 2019 (11:33 am)

Seattle lacks vision. We need a mayor and a council with vision. What happened to the “mobility czar” Director of Citywide Mobility Operations Coordination Retired AF Major General Michael Worden? Is he still on the payroll as a consultant? I would not give him a great performance evaluation. For those considering biking, be careful when you reach the waterfront. We (WSBC) have reached out to WSDOT about serious bike safety issues due to construction re-routes where the Elliott Bay Trail dumps out onto the waterfront. They are looking into it.

Jim P. July 20, 2019 (12:07 pm)

I know the viaduct had to go but it sure seems like the city really annoyed the pooch over how to handle the existing traffic at the time let alone the massive increase over the years.The streets are simply too marrow for the population and high rise buildings downtown now.

MJ July 20, 2019 (1:28 pm)

Restricting left turns as suggested by Stopped during peak times makes a lot of sense.

Sunuva July 21, 2019 (1:23 pm)

Is there a reason why Metro isn’t routing buses down the busway like they did during Viadoom? It worked well, even better than I expected. This 1st Ave Pioneer Square routing is just ridiculous, so there must be some REALLY good reason why they aren’t using the busway instead, right? Not only is the traffic backup absurd on a daily basis, but I’m imagining all the damage these buses are doing to the streets in one of the oldest parts of the city. Nothing makes sense about this route.

Denise July 21, 2019 (5:58 pm)

Nothing works! Bus, car. Do the people who run this city have any idea how bad it is out there?? 6 miles each way for me , pure hell. And then we have Uber and lift stopping where ever they want. I was a tunnel hater then it worked, I was so happy. Now I’m back to everyday is a struggle. Life is too short.

flimflam July 21, 2019 (6:09 pm)

i think uber and lyft are an interesting factor in the sceme of things. sure, some folks may not own a car because of their “service”, but it seems to have added more cars total to overall car transportation.

Jane Milliken July 26, 2019 (4:32 pm)

Seems like the cause is a fustercluck right where 99 starts. All roads come to a stop and then one from each direction gets to go one at a time. That’s incredibly inefficient. There’s no stoplight. Just a guy directing traffic. Really? Is that the best they could do?