West Seattle, Washington
02 Monday
(Friday photo of Fauntleroy ferry at sunset, by Joshua Crowgey)
Starting tomorrow (Sunday, March 1st), Washington State Ferries will start charging a new fee on card transactions, as ordered by state legislators. If you haven’t heard about it already, here’s the summary from WSF leader Steve Nevey in the latest weekly newsletter:
Starting in three days on Sunday, March 1, a 3% cost recovery surcharge will be added to all credit and debit card purchases. The Washington State Legislature directed this change (RCW 47.60.860) so the state can recover the cost of processing card payments. The 3% recovery fee applies to all in-person, kiosk and online fare purchases, including single-ride, multi-ride, and ReValue tickets. It also covers no-show fees for vehicle reservations and carpool and vanpool permits. The cost recovery surcharge does not apply to fees for memorial services, annual business accounts or promotional activities like tabletops and film or photo shoots. Customers can avoid the recovery fee by paying with cash or by using a preloaded ORCA card. If a card transaction is refunded, the 3% surcharge will also be refunded. See our ticket information page for a full list of accepted payment options.
One reader told us they thought fees like this couldn’t be charged on debit-card transactions; WSF explains that they aren’t able to process debits, so debit cards are charged as credit cards and will include the fee.
SDOT says it’s finalized the plan for seven blocks of new sidewalks and walkways in Highland Park, five months after proposing which blocks would go into “conceptual design.” The orange lines above show the final decisions – which removed several blocks from last October’s proposal. Now a block of Cloverdale is removed, and the 8th and 7th sidewalks/walkways will end at Thistle instead of stretching north to Kenyon. City reps walked the area with local residents in May, to help determine where to improve walking routes with Seattle Transportation Levy money. See the final report here; it includes notes on other traffic-calming features, as well as this:
In most cases, sidewalk or walkway will be designed on one side of the street. Sidewalks and walkways may be constructed from a variety of materials including paint, asphalt, concrete and barriers. Specific design treatments are decided based on factors including the space available on the street, drainage needs, existing infrastructure, impacts to parking, slopes, and estimated construction costs. Projects will be in construction between 2026 and 2029.
That’s what SDOT is proposing to address longstanding concerns aired three weeks ago at a community meeting about RV parking on 16th SW alongside South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), The map was explained in this announcement from SDOT’s Mike Estey, who was one of the city reps at the meeting:
… At the meeting, many residents described the RV’s parking and clustering for long periods of time despite efforts to enforce existing parking rules and regulations, and in the wake of multiple formal RV remediation and cleanup efforts that have had little success in providing any lasting, sustainable changes. Representatives of the College echoed those concerns and also described the importance of reliable access to on-street parking for students.
As an outcome of the meeting, SDOT agreed to look at potential updates to curb management and installing new signs along 16th Avenue SW to further discourage long-term use by RV’s. In particular, SDOT is considering the following:
“No Parking, 11 pm – 5 am” signs on the east side of 16th Avenue SW between SW Morgan St to the south and SW Findlay St to the north
4-hour daytime time-limited parking on the west side of 16th Avenue SW for this same stretch
Please see the map and graphics for reference.
These new parking restrictions would apply to all vehicles, not just RV’s. Those parked in violation of the newly signed rules would be subject to enforcement.
Because SDOT’s experience is generally that similar RV issues tend to occur less frequently adjacent to residential properties, and because the daytime time limits may have unintended impacts adjacent to residential properties on the west side of 16th Ave SW, SDOT is inclined to start with the overnight “no parking” signs on the east side, monitor their effectiveness, and then determine whether the west-side restrictions are still advisable.
Before implementing these changes, we would appreciate knowing if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Please email curbspace@seattle.gov to share any such comments. Depending on comments received, SDOT currently intends moving forward with any potential parking adjustments in April.
So what does SSC support? This statement was included in the email to neighbors that began with the SDOT announcement above:
College Decision on Signage: South Seattle College has asked the City of Seattle to move forward with parking restriction signage on the college side of 16th Ave SW after gathering perspective from neighbors and the college community. In the attached proposal you’ll find SDOT’s recommendation for signage on the west side of 16th, opposite college grounds, as well.
As a community college guided by our mission to make higher education accessible for all, we see this as a step toward ensuring students and employees who chose not to pay for parking on campus can still find close parking and easy, safe access to the college from 16th Ave SW.
We came to this decision based on concern for access and safety for those who learn and work at the college, and from the experiences and concerns shared by our neighbors. We appreciate the City of Seattle’s continued efforts to provide support and services to the unhoused community while exploring new options for long-term vehicle parking.
Follow-up on Campus Parking: During our community conversation in early February, the idea of the college making parking free on campus came up. South Seattle College charges parking fees based on Washington Administrative Code 132F-116-062, which states, in part, that “Fees collected from the sale of parking permits shall be used to help offset the expenses of the district’s commute trip reduction program, to help maintain the parking facilities at each campus, and to assist with funding of the positions necessary to enforce these parking rules and regulations, and other purposes deemed appropriate.”
These fees are critical for the college’s ability to subsidize ORCA Cards for students and employees who use public transportation, maintain our parking lots, and pay our public safety employees’ salaries.
The 11 pm-5 am signage option would be identical to what SDOT did in 2023 along most of Harbor Avenue, which has been mostly devoid of RVs ever since. The “daytime 4 hours” signage would be what SDOT did on SW Trenton by Westwood Village in 2024 with similar results, though the occasional RV turns up.
ADDED 9 PM: We drove this stretch of 16th tonight. Three trailers/RVs, compared to 10 around the day of the meeting three weeks ago.
(WSB file photo)
Thanks to HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick for the tip. SDOT has scheduled an online public meeting March 4 for the most controversial West Seattle project on their drawing board, the plan to convert the outside downhill lane on the Highland Park Way hill to a multi-use path. The possibility of rechannelizing the hill – which was a busy detour route during the West Seattle Bridge closure – first came up in the 2010s, then went on hold in 2020, then turned up again in a city application for federal funding in 2022, and then moved onto the path toward finalization a year ago despite loud opposition. SDOT recently told WSB that construction is at least a year away; the department says it’ll have design updates at the March 4 meeting, which is scheduled to start at 5 pm, and will be at this Zoom link.
(Reader-contributed file photo)
Since Wednesday night, we’ve been reporting on WSDOT‘s closure of two northbound lanes on the 1st Avenue South Bridge after inspectors found problems that need to be repaired. Thursday’s followup included a WSDOT promise of an update March 6. The question: Why not until then, and would the lanes remain closed until then? Here’s how spokesperson RB McKeon responded:
Our bridge engineers and inspectors need some time to analyze what they found in the field, develop recommendations, scope, timeline, source materials, etc… We believe that two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for us to be able to do that work and then come back to the public with additional information. To be clear, March 6 is the date we have indicated that we will come back to the public to share updates. We have not indicated that the lanes will reopen on March 6. As noted in yesterday’s updates, it is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6. The lane closures are in place until bridge inspectors have determined the lanes are safe to reopen.
The bridge is two separate structures; the northbound side was built in 1956, 40 years before the southbound side. It served as a major detour route to get across the Duwamish River while the West Seattle Bridge was closed for two and a half years 2020-2022.
3:20 PM: No word yet on whatever inspectors found that led to the closure of two lanes across the 1st Avenue South Bridge overnight, as reported here. We asked WSDOT for details; a spokesperson told us, “Our bridge engineers are on site today doing further assessments, after which we should be able to provide an update.” They also have opened the HOV lane to all traffic, in hopes that will reduce the potential for backups, though at “reduced speeds of 25 MPH over the bridge.” The bridge is a state-owned structure that was put to use as the major bridge across the Duwamish River during the two and a half years the West Seattle Bridge was out of service 2020-2022. It’s actually two bridges of different ages – the northbound side is older, built 70 years ago (lots of background in this story we published in 2020).
4:35 PM: More info just in from WSDOT. What the inspectors initially found, they tell WSB, was “concerns with the steel grid bridge deck. … Bridge engineers are on site conducting a more detailed assessment. It is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6th.” The update we received in response to followup questions also says:
Like many structures across the system, it requires ongoing maintenance and targeted repairs to remain in service. The last significant repairs to this bridge occurred in 2020, when 14 deck panels were replaced. This lane reduction closure highlights the critical need for investment in preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
As for what this means if you use the bridge, WSDOT reiterates:
To protect public safety, two right lanes are closed and speed in the open lanes has been reduced to 25 mph. The HOV lane is open to all traffic until further notice to help maintain capacity. The bridge remains open and operational, including for maritime traffic, and vessel openings will continue as needed.
People traveling through the area should expect significant and ongoing delays, especially northbound into Seattle. These impacts come on top of existing lane reductions on I-5, which continue to affect regional travel.
6:31 PM: WSDOT has now issued a news release with more details on what we reported above, and a bit more background on the bridge’s most-recent challenges.
Starting Monday (February 23), you’ll be able to use more than just an ORCA card on most regional transit services if you want to “tap to pay.” Here’s the announcement we received today:
On February 23, ORCA is launching a new Tap to Pay feature allowing riders to use credit and debit cards, and digital wallets, to pay for transit across the Puget Sound region.
Riders can simply tap their contactless Visa, Mastercard, Discover® Network, or American Express credit or debit cards, or cards in digital wallets, using Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™ to ride. This new feature expands access to public transportation and supports seamless travel experiences for both daily riders and visitors alike.
This new feature also comes as Seattle and the Puget Sound region prepare to host several large events in 2026. With many international visitors expected to travel across the region, Tap to Pay simplifies transit and aligns with global expectations for convenient payment options. …
How the new Tap to Pay feature works:
Riders can pay for transit with most contactless-enabled credit or debit cards with a contactless symbol, or with digital credit or debit cards via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, by tapping their cards or smart devices on ORCA card readers.
ORCA cards will still be issued and accepted across the region on buses, trains, and ferries. ORCA cards continue to provide the most cost-effective, convenient benefits for many riders across the region, especially those enrolled in free or reduced fare programs such as ORCA LIFT, Senior RRFP, Disabled RRFP, Youth, and those with employer or organization sponsored ORCA cards.
Contactless payments through ORCA are not accepted on:
Seattle Monorail
Washington State Ferries
King County Metro DART, Community Vans, Metro Flex
Community Transit DART, Zip Shuttle
Pierce Transit SHUTTLE, Pierce Transit Runner
Everett Transit ParatransitSome of these services may offer other ways to pay using contactless payments outside of the ORCA system. Tap to Pay will soon be available on Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries, Foot Ferries, and King County Water Taxi.
Riders paying with contactless credit or debit cards are charged an adult fare and will still receive the ORCA 2-hour transfer window benefit, allowing for seamless transfers across Puget Sound, as they do today.
Riders cannot receive discounts (Senior, Youth, ORCA LIFT, Disabled) or passes. Riders with ORCA cards that receive discounts are encouraged to keep tapping their existing ORCA cards.
Customers will not be able to pay for multiple riders or groups using one card or device. Every rider will need their own payment method.
Cards need to be tapped directly on the ORCA card readers. Riders should remove physical cards from their wallets before tapping to avoid unwanted charges on other cards or tap failures.
If you have both an ORCA card and a credit or debit card in Google Wallet™, the card reader should default to charging your digital ORCA card when tapped. If you wish to use a digital credit or debit card, select that form of payment on your smart device before tapping.
For Apple Pay users with Express Mode enabled, riders can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a card reader to ride transit across the Puget Sound Region — without having to unlock or wake up their device. And with power reserve, if their iPhone needs to be charged, they can still use it to ride transit.
Riders who tap with a contactless payment method may be subject to fare inspection on some services. Fare inspectors will not scan credit or debit cards; however, they will ask Tap to Pay riders to share the last 4 digits of their card number to confirm fare was paid. This allows fare inspectors to input the last 4 digits of the card used to confirm that the fare transaction occurred. More information on how fare inspection will work can be found here: https://info.myorca.com/contactless/#fareinspection
ORCA cards remain the best option for many, but this enhancement to the ORCA Product suite makes riding transit easier than ever for all types of riders.
Learn more at info.myORCA.com/contactless
11:59 AM: Thanks to Gregg for the report – the Admiral Way protected-bike-lane upgrade work on the hill north of the West Seattle Bridge is under way today. Less than a week ago, we reported SDOT‘s confirmation of what’s being done here:
The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
We’ll check in on the progress later this afternoon.
2:59 PM: WSB’s Macey Wurm went to the work zone for photographs, and reports that the crew wasn’t expected to finish the work today (above, see the pre-cast curbs that are being installed) but is likely to finish up this weekend. In the meantime, while they’re there, be aware of temporary lane reduction in the work zone.
A week and a half ago, when SDOT released its draft plan for spending Seattle Transportation Levy money this year, we went through it and listed the notable West Seattle mentions. However, many were so brief, they required followup to ask “OK, you’ve listed a project at (location), but what exactly are you planning there?” We then sent our followup questions to SDOT, and the answers arrived today. What’s below, verbatim, are the questions we asked, most under the title of the report section in which we found them, and – in italics – SDOT’s verbatim answers:
VISION ZERO
1) Highland Park Way (downhill lane conversion) is listed in two places as (in) design this year. So construction will NOT start before 2027?
The 2026 Levy Delivery Plan highlights key milestones anticipated this year. Highland Park Way is listed both in Protected Bike Lanes and Vision Zero Corridor Projects in the 2026 Levy Delivery Plan. For Highland Park Way, design work continues in 2026. Construction is currently anticipated to begin early 2027. As with all projects, schedules may adjust as design advances.
2) California/Oregon is listed as a VZ project, with construction this year. What exactly is planned there?
This Vision Zero project will add raised, durable centerline treatments that help slow turning vehicles and make movements through the intersection more predictable, improving safety for everyone using the intersection.
(We’re following up to ask exactly where the “raised centerline” will be.)
3) Another VZ project is “West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span.” What exactly is planned, and where exactly is that?
This project focuses on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, as drivers head toward downtown. We will relocate and replace signs to better clarify lane assignments where the bus-only lane begins. The project will also add reflectors to the center concrete barrier to improve visibility, particularly in low-light conditions.
TRAFFIC CALMING
Harbor Ave from California to Spokane. This stretch already has a variety of things, medians, for example, and tons of speed bumps. What is planned now, and where?
This project will build on the existing traffic-calming measures along Harbor Avenue between California and Spokane. Planned improvements include additional speed cushions, new painted median islands, narrowed travel lanes in select areas, updated curve-warning signs, and a new flashing beacon at the existing crosswalk near the water taxi terminal.
FAUNTLEROY/ROSE
This much-awaited crossing improvement is listed in two spots as just “design” this year. So no construction before 2027?
For the Fauntleroy/Rose crossing, design is underway in 2026, and construction is currently anticipated to occur later in 2026. As with all projects, timing may adjust as design advances.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
California/Erskine/Edmunds. What exactly is planned there? that’s a three-street intersection that has long been the source of complaints.
This project will rebuild the traffic signal at California/Erskine/Edmunds. Work will include new signal poles signal heads, upgraded push buttons with audible features, and rebuilding any curb ramps or sidewalks affected by the work. Construction is planned to begin in 2026.
This upgrade is intended to improve visibility, reliability, and accessibility at the intersection.
NEW SIGNAL
California/Walker
currently a fire signal. will that become a full traffic signal, or …
Yes — the existing fire signal at California/Walker will be replaced with a new, full traffic signal. The project includes Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) push buttons with audible features, as well as new ADA-compliant curb ramps at the intersection. The project is currently in design, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
PBL (PROTECTED BIKE LANE) UPGRADE
Admiral Way , Spokane to Lander. Will that be an actual protected BL now, like concrete barrier?
Yes. The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
PEOPLE STREETS
What stretches of those streets (18th and Lander were mentioned without other specifics)?
The improvements are planned for two locations:
-SW Lander Street, from west of California Avenue SW to the alley
-18th Avenue SW, between Delridge Way SW and SW Barton Street
FREIGHT
Derelict rail removal on West Marginal Way – which one(s)?
The proposed rail removal is near the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW, just south of the Duwamish Trail pedestrian crossing at the T-105 entrance.
Removing the unused rail will improve the roadway surface and reduce uneven pavement conditions that can create safety concerns for people driving, biking, or crossing the street.
OVERALL QUESTION ABOUT SIDEWALK REPAIRS
5,000 are mentioned. I assume this is where crews show up and do quick shims, beveling, etc. How are the 5,000 being chosen? If not already scheduled out, any community input needed? How does SDOT discern between “hey property owner, YOU need to fix your sidewalk” which can be a heavy price to pay, and “hey, we’ll show up and fix your sidewalk”?
Yes — the approximately 5,000 spot repairs include quick enhancements such as shims and beveling to reduce tripping hazards.
Locations are selected by:
-Shims are typically installed in response to community requests. When someone reports a sidewalk issue, it generates a work order that is assigned directly to our Street Maintenance crews.
-Beveling is planned each year. Crews work in geographic “grids” and prioritize areas with higher pedestrian activity.
-Recent beveling focused on downtown and nearby neighborhoods in advance of major events, including the FIFA Men’s World Cup.When a request comes in for a more permanent sidewalk repair, we evaluate the location to determine responsibility:
-If the damage is caused by a privately owned tree, the property owner is notified and is responsible for completing the permanent repair.
-If the damage is caused by an SDOT-owned tree, the location is added to SDOT’s sidewalk repair project list for future construction.
In both cases, we typically install a shim as a temporary safety enhancement.
As noted previously, this is just from this year’s levy spending plan – other projects will be in the spending plans for each of its upcoming years, and other projects are in SDOT’s general budget.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This afternoon’s Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee meeting had two items of note for those watching the West Seattle Link Extension plan, still on record as pointed toward a 2032 launch. The question is, what will the plan look like once the staff and board are finished trying to reshape it into “affordability”? The process aimed at answering that question, the Enterprise Initiative, was the subject of another briefing at this afternoon’s committee meeting.
Before that was discussed, the first item of interest was another real-estate acquisition – a residential property on Pigeon Point. Not because it’s needed soon for planning/construction, but because, according to agenda documents, its owners have “medical circumstances” requiring them to sell soon, but because of the looming light-rail project, the agency says, nobody else will buy it. The board already has approved a couple other such purchases, and the committee sent this one on to the full board for approval (along with another in the Ballard project area), though with reservations voiced by Dan Strauss, the Seattle City Councilmember who sits on the ST Board – he revived a topic brought up with previous acquisitions, concerns about ST just letting the properties sit empty for years; apparently a policy change is in the works that might allow a different use for such properties, but not quickly enough to alleviate the concerns Strauss voiced.
Then it was on to the Enterprise Initiative briefing. The next major milestone is the development of “scenarios” for the full board to discuss at its retreat in March, so they can finalize an “updated ST3 system plan” by midyear.
ST’s Brad Owen told the committee that they’re now evaluating more than 600 “opportunities” for getting the full ST system plan close to something realistic.
The “takeaways” from that work included another warning that project phasing or even deferrals might be required.
And as has been the case at previous briefings, they again discussed possible cuts/changes as “levers” of different levels that could be pulled. Then Owen presented examples of possible levers at each level, such as, in the West Seattle project, dropping the Avalon station.
This, he said, would have “no notable effect on ridership” and would mean fewer property acquisitions, a more direct route from Delridge to The Junction, less impact on sites of concern like Longfellow Creek and the West Seattle Health Club property, with up to almost half a billion dollars in savings. (No new total project-cost estimate was mentioned at this meeting.)
Board approval would be needed for that or any other top level “lever” proposed – and keep in mind, what was presented today (here’s the full slide deck) was just a set of examples, not a formal proposal. And the West Seattle project isn’t the only one they’re reviewing for cuts – in addition to Ballard, there are Tacoma and Everett Link Extensions in planning, as well as Sounder and ST Express Bus projects discussed at today’s meeting. (Added: Here’s the meeting video.)
WHAT’S NEXT: The full board generally gets discussion items like this at its next meeting after committee briefings; that will be two weeks from today, on Thursday, February 26 – watch here for the agenda.
Another update from Washington State Ferries – the two-boat schedule will continue on the Fauntleroy-Southworth-Vashon route at least two more weekday:
At least one more day for the two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, per Washington State Ferries:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is running the two-boat schedule through Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Salish is currently running as a third, unscheduled vessel to help move additional traffic and help keep the #1 and #2 vessels on time. We’re working on a service plan for the rest of the week, and we’ll send updated schedule information as soon as it’s available.
WSF also of course is bracing for increased ridership on many routes tomorrow, and says, “To support increased traffic, we’re also adding crewing to many of our vessels and terminals during the day.::
Planning to take the West Seattle Water Taxi to get downtown for Wednesday’s Seahawks victory parade? Not only will the boat(s) keep filling up, heading out, heading back, and repeating as often as it takes to get everyone across the bay (and, afterward, back), the Water Taxi shuttle buses will add service too. A spokesperson tells WSB, “West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle routes 773 and 775 will have extra service on Wednesday 2/11/2026 between 8 AM and 4 PM for the Seahawks Victory Parade, with additional buses departing about 15 minutes after normally scheduled trips, as well as extra service between 9:00 am and 10:30 am.” The shuttle buses are free but the Water Taxi itself is not, so you’re reminded to be ready for that. Metro also is running shuttles downtown and has updated its parade-day-transit post with info on that. (Reminder that we’ll have extra coverage tomorrow morning too with transit/traffic info including updates from the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.)
Thanks to Rick for the tip. People in the Westwood Village vicinity have received notice of an online community meeting about the upcoming work to repave SW Barton in the bus-layover zone, and that revealed the bus-reroute plan for the project – now expected to start in April – is already out. In short, SW Trenton will see most of the rerouted buses:
Route 21 to Westwood Village
Route 21 buses leaving Westwood Village (southbound) will turn from 35th Ave SW onto SW Trenton St.
The bus will continue traveling eastbound on SW Trenton St, with three more stops:
-SW Trenton St east of 35th Ave SW
-SW Trenton St at either 29th or 30th Ave SW
-SW Trenton St just west of 25th Ave SW, on the north end of Westwood VillageRapid Ride C-Line to Westwood Village
C-Line buses will turn off SW Barton onto 35th Ave SW (northbound), then travel eastbound on SW Trenton St.
The bus will continue travelling eastbound on SW Trenton St, with three stops:
-35th Ave SW and SW Trenton St
-Between 29/30th Ave SW Trenton St
-The last stop will come after turning southbound on 25th Ave SW, just south of SW Henderson St.Leaving Westwood Village on the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21
Catch the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21 bus toward downtown Seattle at the southbound bus stop on 25th Av SW just north of SW Barton St (at the southeast corner of Westwood Village):
(See the color-coded legend here.)
If you are driving a car in the area –
Roads will remain open for at least one lane at a time during construction. Access to driveways to the Westwood Village shopping center will remain open.
If you are walking or rolling on the sidewalk –
The sidewalk next to Roxhill Park will be closed during construction.
We first reported on the project in March of last year, when its environmental checklist appeared in a city bulletin. Those documents explained pipeline and peat-removal work that would be part of the project, which at the time was expected to happen last fall, repaving the longtime “layover” zone in concrete pavement meant to stand up better to heavy bus usage.
COMMUNITY MEETING: This is now set to be held online three weeks from tonight, at 6:30 pm Monday, March 2. Register here to get the link.
Last night, we reported that a Washington State Ferries alert said the route will be back on the two-boat schedule next Monday because of boat moves. In today’s weekly report, WSF said that may last longer because of the repairs necessitating the boat moves:
This week brought another reminder of how fragile our ferry system is. We simply don’t have enough vessels available to cover unexpected issues. Tuesday night, Kitsap had to be removed from service because of an engine issue. That left our Mukilteo/Clinton route with only one boat yesterday and this morning. In a timely coincidence, Walla Walla was cleared for service late yesterday following successful sea trials, allowing that ferry to replace Chimacum this morning as our Seattle/Bremerton route’s single vessel. We then moved Chimacum to replace Sealth as the #3 boat at Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, so Sealth can join Tokitae at Mukilteo/Clinton this afternoon.
Kitsap moved to our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility yesterday so our employees can fix an engine issue.
As we have done the past several weeks, tomorrow night we’ll move our “Triangle” route’s #3 boat, which does not run on winter weekends. That allows Chimacum to serve alongside Walla Walla to provide two-boat service at Seattle/Bremerton Saturday and most of Sunday. Walla Walla must then go in for scheduled maintenance and required inspection on Monday. With Chimacum remaining at Seattle/Bremerton as the route’s single ferry after the weekend, Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth will be on its two-boat weekday schedule next week. We expect Salish to return from its maintenance and inspection period next week and when it does, we will send it to the “Triangle” to serve as the unscheduled, bonus boat.
We should know more in the coming days about how long repairs to Kitsap will take. Our service plan for Monday and beyond may adjust depending on vessel availability.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
More than 50 people filled a room at South Seattle College‘s Cascade Hall last night for a “community conversation” about parking along 16th Avenue SW in front of the campus.
The west side of the median-divided street is lined with single-family homes, and the street parking is relatively devoid of signage, so in addition to the vehicles of students and staff – who have to buy permits to park in campus lots – street parking is also used by RV/trailer/truck residents. The number fluctuates but we counted 10 on a visit earlier this week.
While that wasn’t mentioned in the meeting announcement, that was clearly what everyone was there to discuss – though not all agreed on what was at the heart of it. A panel of city reps included Tom Van Bronkhorst from the Unified Care Team; Mike Estey from SDOT; and Laura Fox from SPD Parking Enforcement (a listed panelist from the city’s “unsheltered services” program did not show up). SSC communications director Ty Swenson facilitated. Also there but not seated with the panel in front of the room were SSC president Dr. Monica Brown and District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s new policy adviser, Brendan Kolding.
The college wants to be “more than a neighbor in name … also a neighbor in deed,” said Dr. Brown in brief welcoming remarks. Swenson said SSC was trying to “approach this conversation” with a better understanding of “the needs of our unhoused population.” He said the conversation’s goals included the “opportunity to share your experiences” and to learn about the city’s approach to “supporting the unhoused population” and “parking enforcement” – tincluding the options that might be available for the latter.
Fox was the first city panelist to speak and said she empathized with the situation. Estey said, “We keep getting introduced as experts (but) it’s hard to be an expert on this issue.”
Swenson then provided “background from the college perspective,” saying Van Bronkhorst had contacted SSC last fall about possibly installing parking-restriction signage. “One of the things (he shared) was that these days the city most commonly puts up 2- and 4-hour signs” but that might not work for students, so SSC was looking for a wider range of possibilities. Swenson said they also were concerned that restrictions would just move RVs “further down the road.”
Van Bronkhorst spoke next, explaining the Unified Care Team – representatives from 10 city departments, “one part of the city’s overall response to homelessness … working on restoring access to public spaces” among other things. The UCT is “not a first-responding group” and “our mission is not to solve homelessness,” he clarified.
Fox said Parking Enforcement works with UCT, coming out during remediations and giving three-day warnings (those familiar orange notices). But they usually don’t move, and don’t get towed because people are living in them, she explained.
An attendee then spoke out about observing a recent situation where no-parking signs went up, people in RVs left, “and they came back.” Another attendee then voiced concern for trauma to the people who have been swept. Another attendee stood up and said she wants everyone to have someplace to live, and she’s paid taxes for that. But “we’ve dealt with so many things in the city in the past five years.” So has she, saying for example, she had to replace her fence, had to call police for someone peeping into her home. “Are there conseaquences when people are offered shelter (and don’t take it)?” She mentioned streets in other neighborhoods with barriers such as rocks. She said the city’s had five years to collect data but all she sees is the UCT “replacing propane canisters … The frustration is, I want everybody to be housed, you have the data, where is the plan? Do something …” She also said she was frustrated that Councilmember Saka himself was not in attendance. “He should be here,” she said, her voice continuing to intensify. Many in the room applauded when she was finished.
The next person to speak said, “There should be campers outside Rob Saka’s house … there should be campers outside all our houses” until things were equalized. Others in the room demanded to know whether the speaker owns property. The speaker replied, repeatedly, “I live here.”
Next person: Why aren’t tickets being given out, considering that the RVs block the bike lanes? Parking Enforcement supervisor Fox said there’s a rule for that but a ticket isn’t going to remove the RV. “There has to be someone calling in, we’re not just driving around looking,” She added that parking enforcement officers have safety concerns. She said that precinct officers often assist PEOs, and promised to “try to get out here more often.”
Another attendee said RV dwellers have been “aggressive” and also voiced concern that notification of the meeting hadn’t been distributed widely enough. They were followed by a person who said she had had more than half a dozen people in her family experiencing homelessness. “These people are being left out there to die … There is nothing compassionate (about that) …” She said at least one person had died in the area. “I would like the developers, the city, to fix th housing crisis” but believes that’s not going to happen any time soon. She thinks “a light, tight mobile camp” would be better, without room for big RVs – otherwise people are “sitting out there as bait for predators.”
The open-mic type of sequential commenting continued. Next was a resident identifying himself as a homeowner who said he’d put up a camera for six months to record what’s happening on the street. He said he had recorded some doing things he doesn’t like, but others are doing good things. “We ought to be forming relationships with them.” He says he has footage of people causing trouble for the RV residents – “we need to come up with a solution and not” treat them like outcasts. “They have nowhere to go. … We need to solve this problem at a housing level,” not at a level of making RV dwellers the enemy.
But almost every time someone suggested the need for that solution, someone else declared that wasn’t the point of the meeting, parking was. The next speaker declared she’s :empathetic’ but is fed up with problems such as a couple in one RV who frequently fight, with the disruption spilling out into the neighborhood. She added that she herself is an immigrant and naturalized citizen and “came here with nothing.” Then she suggested that there “are two different kinds of unhoused” … one type who “truly wants the help,” the other type who does not.
Shortly thereafter, Van Bronkhorst explained the outreach process and its limitations. “We don’t have a lot of great housing options .. we offer shelter, services, that are not great for a lot of people … we offer tiny house villages” but usually vacancies are rare because tiny houses are so popular. For RVs, they first try to clean up the area before a removal, “we’ll talk to them about their needs to keep their vehicles moving.” That’s when Van Bronkhorst spoke of the RV-safe-lot/tiny-house village plan we broke the news about last week (up to 72 RVs, 20 tiny houses), though he had few details.
SDOT’s Estey (who is the department’s curb-space manager) then took the mic to steer the focus back to the parking restriction issue. He said they’ve been installing 4-hour limits in places where people with RVs might want to park – “the (signs) tend to be self-enforcing.” (He is ‘curb space manager’ for the city. He also acknowledged that restrictions would “push the RVs to other places.” They tend to install such signage just on the commercial side (which in this case would be the east side, in front of SSC) because on the residential side there are more impacts. “There’s probably not a permit solution,” he said, for those wondering about RPZs, since there are specific conditions that need to be met. They could do a study, he said, to verify whether an RPZ would be justified. And he acknowledged that, yes, overnight parking is illegal, but SPD isn’t staffed overnight to enforce that.
Could they put jersey barriers every 30 feet or so? he was asked. “Our preference is not to have to default to something like that,” or putting eco-blocks in the right of way, Estey said, “but we also understand why they end up there because people feel a sense of desperation.” Van Bronkhorst said the last mayoral administration did not enforce removal of ecoblocks but he doesn’t know what “the new administration” thinks. He mentioned some neighborhoods putting out metal planters. “That’s not legal,” several attendees said, while others quickly pointed out no one was enforcing that. (A little while later, someone else mentioned that the arrival of ecoblocks after a sweep on Highland Park Way seemed to have preceded RVs’ move to 16th. They said they’d reported street obstructions via Find It Fix It but “they’re still there.”)
Another person wondered whether there should be special consideration here since SSC is a school. Estey observed that “it’s unique that you have a college with single-family (homes) across the street.” He said parking enforcement would likely come out more often if there were signs. “We need parking restrictions on both sides of the street,” an attendee said. “And at Sanislo Elementary,” added another, referring to Puget Ridge’s other school.
Van Bronkhorst mentioned another signage tactic, putting up signs asking for voluntary compliance “be a good neighbor, kids live here too.”
Then an attendee who said they’ve lived in the area for 32 years read a statement about her “personal experience.” She said crime problems had arrived with the RVs. “I don’t think sweeping is the answer, but we’re not here to solve the housing crisis.” She said her car had been stolen, and several others spoke up to say theirs had too. She said she is not comfortable walking in the neighborhood any more and declared “this isn’t about punishing pople who live in vehicles, this is about public safety.”
The next speaker countered by declaring that everyone is a neighbor, including renters, and RV dwellers. She said parking restrictions would likely push RV dwellers into places “in front of people’s homes” while currently they tend not to be “in front of people’s entryways.”
“What about the north lot, could they park there during the day?” A college rep explained that tudents pay $50/quarter for permits and the north lot is open to them at any time. “Why not open that up and let the students park there for free?” Soeone asked how many students pay for parking passes; 700 was the guess.
A few murmurs around the room started coalescing around signage with 11 pm to 5 am restrictions like on Harbor Avenue (as shown above in a WSB photo from September 2023). An attendee who said they had worked on signage for a variety of concerns countered, “Signs in this case do not solve the fundamental (problem) we’re trying to deal with … I don’t think signs are going to solve the problem.” They said someone does park in front of their residence and “I do not want them swept.” Signs are being deployed to push people out of the area, they said. They support the north lot parking idea. Others in the room said they felt signage would help the situation. Then again, the point and counterpoint, some saying “we’re not here to solve the housing crisis” and others saying, “You should be.”
Fox from Parking Enforcement said most vehicle dwellers don’t have registration. She thinks RV “safe lots” are the solution. “That way all the services come to them.” Someone wanted to know if RV dwellers will be “compelled” to go to the safe lot once open. That attendee claimed people in a few of the RVs are “running criminal enterprises” and won’t want to. “When they say no … what are you going to do?”
Van Bronkhorst replied, “Well, people have a choice” and also mentioned potential obstacles that kept some people in RVs from being able to access such lots in the past, such as having to prove their ownership of the vehicle and being on a pathway toward housing and eventually giving up their RV. He isn’t sure if that’ll be the policy. But no, he reiterated they’re not going to force people into the lots. (The request came later, though, that West Seattle RV dwellers get priority at the West Seattle lot.)
So, the discussion turned back to, what signage might be tried in the area?
“No overnight parking … both sides of the street.” voices said from around the room.
Then again came a reminder that the problem goes beyond parking, advocating for state legislation supported by the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.
Another man stood up and said, “We give way too much services to these people, 60 percent don’t even come from this area.”
That led to further points and counterpoints – including whether the topic was parking or homelessness, another attendee suggesting that government “has a spending problem,” another suggesting enforcement is needed rather than more signs, yet another wondering about a “no camping” ordinance, and someone else turning the attention to the Highland Park downhill-lane removal and wondering how many were aware SDOT is planning on that. “I just wanted to say that out loud,” he said. “SDOT ran surveys, most people are against (the project), and they’re going to do it anyway.” Estey said he’d “take that sentiment back” to SDOT HQ.
That in turn segued into questions about how feedback from this meeting will be conveyed to decisionmakers. Any other routes for providing community input? they wondered. Another attendee suggested, “The folks (who park) are there because they (consider that) their best option – we can either make this option worse or make other options better … I think the compassionate choice is to make other options better.” A “no camping” ordinance would be irrelevant, he said, because “they’re not camping … this is their house … you can’t stop camping if that’s your house.”
Then Estey took on the followup question. He said people can contact the city. Van Bronkhorst asked for contact info from 16th SW residents: “I think we’ve heard enough options we could make some suggestions … to remediate the situation as it currently is … it seems neighbors have been asking for a ‘now’ answer … we can come up with some options, send them to (Swenson at SSC), and get some feedback.” He declined to hone in on just one idea immediately, and would not commit to a timeline for a proposal and action, even acknowledging, with uneasy laughter, that the response was basically a “non-answer.”
The addresses provided were two contacts at SSC:
brian.jellum@seattlecolleges.edu (security)
ty.swenson@seattlecolleges.edu (communications)
From the city:
mike.estey@seattle.gov
tom.vanbronkhorst@seattle.gov
Announced tonight by Washington State Ferries:
Due to necessary vessel repairs, we need to move vessels and adjust the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth schedule the next few days.
Thursday, Feb. 5: Around midday, the 144-vehicle Chimacum will replace the 90-vehicle Sealth as the #3 vessel.
Friday, Feb. 6: The following #3 sailings will be cancelled due to boat moves:
8 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
8:20 p.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy
8:50 p.m. Fauntleroy to Vashon
9:15 p.m. Vashon to Southworth
9:30 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8: Regular weekend winter schedule.
Monday, Feb. 9: Two-boat schedule due to timing of vessel moves. We’re working to add a third, unscheduled vessel in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: The route will return to the three-boat schedule.
The question invariably arises – voters passed a levy, so how’s the money being spent? SDOT has just released its “draft plan” for spending Seattle Transportation Levy dollars this year. You’ll recall that voters approved the eight-year, $1.55 billion levy in fall 2024, so this is its second year. The draft 2-026 plan – see it in its entirety here – will be presented Thursday morning (February 5) to the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee chaired by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka. It lists hundreds of projects/locations by name, though without specifics, so we went through it to get the West Seattle highlights, under the classifications used in the plan. Note that these are just the West Seattle mentions – and there are hundreds of projects listed from elsewhere in the city; projects are generally categorized in the plan as either being in design this year or starting construction:
VISION ZERO: Highland Park Way hill project, design
California/Oregon, construction
SW Barton between 26th and 29th, construction
West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span, construction
TRAFFIC CALMING: Harbor Ave from California to Spokane, construction
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL: Projects for Denny IMS, Highland Park Elementary, Madison MS, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Roxhill Elementary zones
‘NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATED SAFETY PROJECTS’: Highland Park greenway/traffic calming, North Delridge all-way stop, South Delridge traffic calming and daylighting
‘NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS’: Planning will start for 26th between Brandon and Juneau. 63rd between Alki and Admiral, SW 100th between 35th and 44th, SW 106th between 35th and Marine View Drive, SSW Holden between 12th and 11th
SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, ASPHALT: 35th SW, 108th to 111th; 106th, 32nd to 35th
SPOT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, CONCRETE: 30th/Genesee
TRANSIT SPOT IMPROVEMENTS: Barton/29th layover, construction; Fauntleroy/Rose, design
SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION: Barton, 21st-23rd; Brandon, Delridge-23rd and 25th-26th; Hudson, Delridge to 26th
SIDEWALK DESIGN: 21st, Dawson to Graham; 22nd, Henderson to Thistle; Brandon, 26th to 30th
CURB RAMPS: 30th/Dakota, 31st/Barton, 45th/Charlestown, 47th/Frontenac, California at Ida, Austin, Webster
CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS: SW Charlestown, 45th to 55th; Delridge at Cloverdale, design
NEW SIGNAL: California/Walker
SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AND CROSSING IMPROVEMENT: California/Erskine/Edmunds
SIGNAL TIMING: Design for 47th/Admiral improvement
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS: 26th/Barton, Fauntleroy/Dawson, design
NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANE: Highland Park Way hill project, design
PROTECTED BIKE LANE UPGRADE: Admiral Way, Spokane to Lander, design
‘PEOPLE STREETS’: Lander, 18th, in design
FREIGHT: SW Manning crossing improvement, “derelict rail removal” on West Marginal Way
Some categories promised such a high number of projects – like sidewalk repairs – that they weren’t called out by name/location. Also keep in mind that this is not the entirety of what SDOT is working on – just what the levy is funding; they have other non-levy work too. Many of these led us to wonder “what exactly will be done THERE?” and so we have followup questions out to SDOT. Meantime, you can watch their briefing for the council committee at 9:30 am Thursday, either in person or via Seattle Channel. The agenda explains how to comment, though also keep in mind, this isn’t something they’ll be voting on. One more note: As for how they spent levy dollars in Year 1, this new “dashboard” might answer some questions.
(Metro photo)
Route 128, which includes West Seattle, is one of the routes to which Metro will assign its newest battery-electric buses starting next week. The new GILLIG-manufactured buses, painted “electric yellow and seafoam blue,” are 40 foot long, with a capacity of up to 69 people, and they’re expected to be able to go up to 280 miles on a single charge. Metro’s announcement today also makes note of this distinctive feature:
The new buses are the first in Metro’s fleet to enter service with new operator safety partitions installed. The partitions include a reinforced lower metal panel extending to the operator’s platform, along with a two-part sliding glass system. A larger, extendable glass panel provides increased coverage and visibility, while an additional polycarbonate panel extends to the ceiling for added protection. The partition will remain closed at all times except when transit operators are assisting customers with mobility devices and meets industry safety standards for vehicle windows and operator compartments.
Metro will be adding charging capacity, starting this spring at its Tukwila base, which it says will be able to handle up to 120 battery-electric buses.
Alex Pretti, the man shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, is often just described as his professional role, a nurse, but he also was an avid bicycle rider. That’s why, Alki Bike and Board proprietor and community advocate Stu Hennessey tells us, a West Seattle ride is planned for Saturday in his honor:
Bike and Board is organizing a memorial ride for Alex Pretti. As a Surly dealer, we felt a strong connection to Alex, given his passion for the Surly bike community. While we are saddened by this tragedy, we are inspired by his courage and wish to honor his memory.
Here are the details for the ride:
The memorial ride will follow a casual five-mile loop including the Alki Beach Path and the Alki Point Healthy Street. The route is family-friendly, though it does include a mile-long steady grade up Admiral Way from Alki Point. We will maintain a group pace as we ride together in solidarity.
Saturday, January 31st. Meet at Alki Bike and Board at 11:00 am and start the ride at 11:15 am.
Here’s a page for it on the Everyday Rides website. The shop is at 2606 California SW.
One year ago, SDOT announced “next steps” for the Alki Point Healthy Street, including an upgraded crossing at its south end, at 63rd SW and Beach Drive SW. Crossing work has been done, as shown in our recent photo above, but the poles have been in place, beaconless, for a while. So we asked SDOT for an update. The reply: “The RRFB equipment for the upgraded crossing at the south end of the Alki Point Healthy Street has been ordered and we are waiting for them to be delivered.” No timeline estimate so far.
Good news for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry-route travelers – the route is back to three-boat service as of Monday, according to Washington State Ferries, which says the boats that broke down, cutting Triangle Route service (and elsewhere), are now fixed.
Vessel problems on other Washington State Ferries routes have left the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route on two-boat service, and that will continue tomorrow (Friday, January 23), according to this explanation from WSF boss Steve Nevey:
This week, a second large ferry had to be removed from service, leaving us with just 15 boats when we need 17 to run our full winter schedule. Yesterday, Wenatchee hit a log while sailing from Bainbridge to Seattle in the fog, bending one of its propellers. This morning, we moved Sealth to join Tacoma on our busiest route. This leaves both our Fauntleroy/Vashon/ Southworth and Seattle/Bremerton routes down a vessel. Repairs to Wenatchee are expected to take a few days, with a return to Seattle/Bainbridge service possible Sunday. That would allow us to relocate Sealth to our Bremerton route for the Seahawks playoff game, when we expect heavy travel to and from Seattle. Then late Sunday night, we plan to shift Sealth back to Vashon Island. This allows us to restore our “Triangle” route’s full three-boat weekday schedule on Monday. If Wenatchee is not ready, we will keep all ferries where they currently are.
As Nevey reiterated during Wednesday’s systemwide online community meetings (WSB coverage here), the system suffers chronically from an undersupply of boats, and unexpected problems tend to have domino effects like this.
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