Smarter Transit is an all-volunteer, pro-transit, non-partisan, non-profit citizens’ organization. Our mission is to support and advocate for accountable public transportation governance and investments that grow transit, vanpool, carpool ridership, and safe bike and walking routes throughout the Puget Sound region in the most cost-effective way.
Seattle Times: Sound Transit faces a $11.5 billion shortfall. Now what’s it going to do?
When Sound Transit unveiled a $54 billion tax measure in 2016, even its most tenacious critics said the rail and bus budgets were so larded with financial cushions the agency couldn’t possibly run short on cash. Only five years later,...
Here we post articles and news of interest regarding transit and transportation issues that affect the Puget Sound Region. If there are stories that you think deserve attention, or if you have news or information that you’d like to share, please contact us!
Washington State DOT’s Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Business Case Analysis (UHSGT) is a promotional brochure riddled with serious errors and misstatements
Read the complete paper here: Washington State DOT’s Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Business Case Analysis (UHSGT) is a promotional brochure riddled with serious errors and misstatementsKey Findings The term “Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation...
Puget Sound Business Journal – Opinion: Light rail expansion isn’t what our region needs post-Covid
Mariya Frost is the director of the Coles Center for Transportation at the Washington Policy Center. Four years ago, transportation experts predicted Sound Transit’s light rail expansion would be obsolete before it’s built. Now, Covid-19’s impact on how we...
KOMO News: First Avenue South Bridge to be repaired, causing longer commutes in West Seattle
SEATTLE — If you think the commute in and out of West Seattle is rough now – get ready for January. The Washington State Department of Transportation said they will be doing some critical work to the First Avenue South Bridge that will require...
Latest transportation stories from local papers
In the interest of providing the whole range of news regarding transportation and transit we are providing links to current articles and opinion pages. Smarter Transit does not necessarily agree with the views or info provided in all articles or op-eds.
Sound Transit News
- Sound Transit growth reflected in $90M in...by Mike Lindblom on November 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm
So far this year, Sound Transit’s governing board has approved five office leases totaling $90 million, underscoring the agency’s growth as a result of ST3.
- Train and transit talk: Highlights from reporter...by z-inactive-Tyler on November 10, 2017 at 12:52 am
Can Sound Transit projects be completed early? Will ST3 car tab fees come down? What impact will the Trump administration have on funding Seattle-area infrastructure? Mike Lindblom answered your transit-related questions.
- What can Sound Transit do to keep projects in the...by Seattle Times staff on November 8, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Transportation reporter Mike Lindblom answers your questions about the future of Sound Transit's light-rail projects, which are facing growing budget pressure from rising land values and construction costs.
- Sound Transit’s Lynnwood extension running...by Mike Lindblom on August 24, 2017 at 9:35 pm
The half-billion-dollar increase for the Sound Transit 2 Lynnwood line comes as a surprise for taxpayers, and officials will negotiate simpler designs with cities along the tracks.
- Here’s why your ST3 car tab fee is so highby Gina Cole and Daniel Beekman on March 17, 2017 at 1:00 pm
On episode 28 of The Overcast, Traffic Lab reporters Mike Lindblom and David Gutman get nerdy with us about Sound Transit 3 and the car tab fees that fund it.
- Sticker shock as much higher car-tab bills land...by David Gutman on February 17, 2017 at 7:43 pm
The state Department of Licensing is getting hit with calls from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties about increased car-tab fees that are just starting to go into effect following the passage of Sound Transit 3.
- Sound Transit moves fast to get deals on loans,...by Mike Lindblom on November 28, 2016 at 12:45 am
Sound Transit is making deals for $2.9 billion in federal loans, bond sales and grants while money is cheap.
- State senator calls for direct elections of Sound...by Mike Lindblom on November 18, 2016 at 1:38 am
Pierce County voters’ opposition to Sound Transit 3 has prompted state Sen. Steve O’Ban to propose direct elections of transit-board members.
- Where Sound Transit 3 projects could speed up or...by Mike Lindblom on November 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Political energy, less red tape or simpler design can speed projects. So can money, say, from the federal government. Disputes about track alignments, inaccurate cost forecasts, elaborate stations or tunnels, or a recession can create delays.
- Passing Sound Transit 3 boost for commuters, jobsby Jon Talton on November 12, 2016 at 4:00 pm
The Puget Sound region made a big step forward in transportation and the state advanced the condition of low-wage workers.
General Transportation News
- First Avenue South Bridge repairs will snarl...by Mike Lindblom on March 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Repair work on the 1st Avenue South bridge will force overnight closures this coming weekend followed by five days of closures of two of the four southbound lanes. Drivers should expect traffic snarls due to the closures.
- Construction closes more freeway lanes in Seattle...by Mike Lindblom on February 26, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Westbound Highway 520 will close this weekend for continued construction of a freeway lid in Montlake. In north Seattle, the I-5 express lanes will close for delivery of a pedestrian-bicyclist bridge span near Northgate.
- Federal court says Washington state can require...by Mike Lindblom on February 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Despite trends toward automation, rail-worker unions say at least two people are needed to assure safer freight train trips. Federal judges upheld a Washington state law requiring two crew members, after the Trump administration tried to scrap it.
- Avalanche danger prompts precautionary road...by Benjamin Romano on February 21, 2021 at 10:14 pm
Two main east-west routes through Washington will be closed in both directions beginning Sunday night at 6 p.m. because of avalanche danger in the mountains, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
- Woman dies in Seattle rollover crash where I-5...by Seattle Times staff on February 21, 2021 at 9:07 pm
The car she was driving left the ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to Highway 520 and rolled, ejecting her into the grassy median.
- New Washington transportation plan includes taxes...by Michelle Baruchman on February 20, 2021 at 5:41 pm
A new transportation plan by state Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, would raise gas taxes by 3 cents a gallon, hike the sales tax on bicycles and charge a fee on transit . "It's time we made everybody contribute and pay for what they use," said King.
- Two pedestrians killed in Bothell crash; suspect...by Elise Takahama and Christine Clarridge on February 19, 2021 at 8:06 pm
Washington State Patrol is investigating a Friday morning crash on Highway 524 in Bothell that left two pedestrians dead. The collision involving a vehicle and two people on foot occurred around 10:30 a.m. Friday, and a long-term road closure is expected.
- Northbound Highway 599 reopens after hit-run...by Christine Clarridge on February 19, 2021 at 2:59 pm
All northbound lanes of Highway 599 are blocked Friday morning at milepost 1.4, including the onramp to Interstate 5, after a hit-and-run collision resulted in a 12-vehicle pileup near East Marginal Way in Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
- Racial disparities prompt calls to repeal King...by Michelle Baruchman on February 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm
A number of individuals and organizations are calling for the repeal of King County's mandatory bike helmet law, arguing that it is disproportionately enforced against Black, Native and homeless riders.
- Crash on northbound I-5 near Southcenter causes...by Christine Clarridge on February 18, 2021 at 2:59 pm
A collision is blocking three lanes of northbound Interstate 5 just south of the Interstate 405 juncture in Southcenter, causing a backup that stretches down to Federal Way.