FOLLOWUP: SDOT says it’s finished some timing changes in hopes of speeding up buses south of downtown

More potential progress in unclogging the southbound bus jam out of downtown. SDOT tells WSB that it’s made the tweaks that it said one week ago would be done within two weeks. From SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:

(W)e’ve completed the following adjustments to optimize the movement of buses.

Additionally, we are continuing to make incident management a high priority during the morning and afternoon commute.

*Revising signal timing at 1st Ave S & S Dearborn St, and Alaskan Way S & S Dearborn St to further aid transit operation – Completed

*Further optimizing the signal timing plan for the 1st Ave S corridor through Pioneer Square while emphasizing the north and south movements – Completed

*Implementing pre-game event timing to support the stadium events including Mariners, Seahawks and upcoming concerts – Ready to implement as needed for scheduled events

The next “scheduled event” in the stadium zone is the Rolling Stones concert at CenturyLink Field tomorrow night. Then on Thursday, as reported here last night, Metro plans a southbound-only rerouting test.

WSOwl August 13, 2019 (4:36 pm)

The situation has much improved getting through Pioneer Square.

Busrider August 13, 2019 (5:32 pm)

Avalon is majorly backed up in evening commute.

Kravitz August 13, 2019 (6:04 pm)

Tonight’s commute from downtown was eerily pleasant AND fast. I also saw Metro personnel flagging drivers and busses in Pioneer Square with signage regarding busses traveling in the left lanes – we went by too quickly for me to read the signs fully, but it made me feel that they’re at least trying to help improve the situation, which is better than what we had two weeks ago when it felt like the complaints and frustrations were falling on deaf ears.

Brayton August 13, 2019 (6:05 pm)

The last two evening commutes have been a breeze compared to the last month or more. I left work late today and made it home well before the time I had been getting home after leaving extra early. Welcome relief. And I’m curious what the Thursday evening test commute will be like.

120rider August 13, 2019 (6:14 pm)

I don’t see “traffic police will no longer socialize with the bar patrons at 1st and Dearborn and instead direct traffic to further aid transit operation”.

Alki Commuter August 13, 2019 (11:36 pm)

Thank you WS blog for the follow up and update. We appreciate how you stay on top of our concerns! I hope to see these improvements going forward.

Elton August 14, 2019 (8:24 am)

I think the signs I saw said “no right lane driving”. Our driver seemed to know the guys, exchanged pleasantries, and moved on. I wasn’t clear on if this was a protest I didn’t understand or what, but now I’m guessing it was some sort of instruction to drivers?

JayDee August 14, 2019 (10:31 am)

The no-right lane restriction is weight-related. Pioneer Square was not built for today’s buses with 72-passenger loads and the RH lane is very close to the building foundations (remember the underground tour?). Plus Pioneer Square was not built to today’s standards and the fill under the streets is vulnerable.

Mj August 14, 2019 (12:01 pm)

JayDee yes that is a very good point, and why 1st Avenue was chosen for interim routing is a big question. Further, why so long for SDoT to refine signal timings?

Sorry, comment time is over.