City of Seattle, WA

02/08/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/08/2023 20:18

Best of the Month | Spokane St Swing Bridge emergency response, free ORCA cards for Seattle Housing Authority residents, and more!

The Spokane St Swing Bridge over the Duwamish Waterway. Photo credit: SDOT

Blog stats: 1,200 words | 8-minute read

In case you missed it, we're sharing highlights from the SDOT Blog each month. Here are some of our top posts from January.

  1. Spokane St Swing Bridge is now reopen following successful repairs and testing
  2. City of Seattle distributing free ORCA cards to more than 10,000 Seattle Housing Authority residents
  3. Seattle Transportation Plan | Let's create our transportation maps together. Are we on the right track?
  4. Winter storm recap: How our crews rose to the challenge of major snow and ice to help Seattleites in need
  5. LEVY DOLLARS AT WORK | We built smoother sidewalks & protected mature trees on Aurora Ave N!

1) Spokane St Swing Bridge is now reopen following successful repairs and testing

After the major ice event in late-December, several important repairs were needed on the Spokane St Swing Bridge. Thanks to our crews and the entire team who worked hard to get this done, we were able to reopen the bridge approximately 3 weeks after the issues began.

[Link]The 15,000-pound cylinder being hoisted onto an overhaul rail system. Our crews slowly and carefully maneuvered the cylinder around the interior of the bridge before moving it outside and onto a truck. Photo credit: SDOT

During the closure, people biking had to use a temporary detour to get to and from West Seattle and surrounding Duwamish Valley communities. We were able to install temporary protected bike lanes along West Marginal Way SW and 1st Ave S to help ensure safer travel. You can read more about this process in this blog post.

One of the major aspects of the repairs was to remove a broken hydraulic cylinder. Removing it from the bridge facility for off-site repairs was a 12-hour process. This blog post goes into more depth on the removal of the cylinder.

After successfully testing the bridge following needed repairs, we were able to safely reopen the bridge. Additional bridge rehabilitation work on the bridge is planned to be completed this year.

2) City of Seattle distributing free ORCA cards to more than 10,000 Seattle Housing Authority residents

In a partnership between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), we are providing free and unlimited-use ORCA cards to residents in SHA-owned properties. This includes all residents 19 years old or above (anyone 18 or younger may already ride transit for free), with the benefit available to more than 10,000 SHA residents! This pairing between an affordable housing program and an accessible public transit initiative is the first of its kind at this comprehensive scale in the United States.

[Link]Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, SDOT Director Greg Spotts, and SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon joined by Seattle Housing Authority residents. Photo: SDOT

These ORCA cards are funded by the Seattle Transit Measure, which is a voter-approved sales tax that extends through April 2027. By removing a financial barrier to transit use, these residents can now access more reliable and convenient travel options to get around Seattle. This can help SHA residents make it to medical appointments and other essential services. Distribution of the cards to residents is taking place between January 24 and March 4.

Thank you for supporting our work to expand transit access to our neighbors here in Seattle.

3) Seattle Transportation Plan | Let's create our transportation maps together. Are we on the right track?

The Seattle Transportation Plan (STP) is our commitment to building a transportation system that provides everyone with access to safe, efficient, and affordable options to reach places and opportunities. We need your help! We are developing the STP with 3 phases of community engagement and are currently in phase 2.

[Link]A person crosses the street in the evening, near Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District. Photo: SDOT

There are so many ways we use our streets and public spaces every day! Before we began to develop the STP, we had four transportation network maps (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and freight). For the STP, we are updating those maps and making new maps that respond to today's transportation challenges.

We want to bring you along in every step of the way. In January, we asked for your feedback on the drafts of these travel networks. In addition to hosting the maps on the Online Engagement Hub, we hosted two open houses for people to share their input in person.

Important: These draft maps are a starting point. They include updates based on new facilities we have built, suggest new connections, and respond to many comments you and your neighbors made in the first phase of engagement. We are still making changes to these maps. Based on your feedback today, we will make more changes.

Tell us what you think via the Online Engagement Hub.

Other ways to get involved include:

4) Winter storm recap: How our crews rose to the challenge of major snow and ice to help Seattleites in need

When a major ice storm arrived in Seattle at the end of December just before the Christmas holiday, we were ready with plans in place to help coordinate work like tree clearing and snow and ice removal.

[Link]Clearing a path at a Seattle Streetcar stop, First Hill Line. Photo Credit: SDOT

However, the thick layer of solid ice proved to be a unique challenge. We pre-treated the snow and ice arterial network over the preceding 24 hours to help prevent the ice from bonding to the pavement. Our dedicated staff members braved challenging conditions to show up for work and salt walkways, assist stranded travelers, and keep snow routes clear.

Our team covered more than 18,000 lane miles during the recent storm with plow drivers and hand crews from other City departments supporting the operation all while aiding some of our friends in King County along the way.

5) LEVY DOLLARS AT WORK | We built smoother sidewalks & protected mature trees on Aurora Ave N!

We recently finished repairing sidewalks along the eastern side of Aurora Ave N, from NE 80th to N 105th St. The result: safer, smoother travel for people walking and rolling.

[Link]We worked to connect this improved sidewalk while preserving a large tree directly adjacent to it. Photo: SDOT.

Our sidewalk repair program is possible thanks to your tax dollars through the Levy to Move Seattle. We recently improved damaged sidewalks along the east side of Aurora Ave N (State Route 99), between NE 80th St and N 105th St.

We completely rebuilt damaged sidewalks on some blocks and smoothed, repaired, or replaced smaller damaged sections of the sidewalk in other areas. We also widened some sections of the sidewalk. People can now walk or roll more comfortably along this stretch of Aurora.

We also adjusted our plans and designs based on community priorities. This included finding innovative ways to save the existing mature trees along Aurora while completing sidewalk repairs.