The deadline to provide feedback to Metro is Friday, Feb. 17. Feedback can be provided via an online survey, email or calling their message line – see details below.

“Last fall, we received comments from more than 5,000 people, and that feedback was invaluable in helping us review and revise these proposals,” said Victor Obeso, Metro’s manager of Service Development. “Now, we want the community’s help again to continue moving forward with our vision for a transit system that is efficient, cost-effective, and best serves the entire county.”

The latest changes now being considered for White Center, Burien and Des Moines include:

• Routes proposed for routing or frequency changes: 120, 123, 124, 128*, 131, 132, 156, and 166
• Routes proposed for replacement or deletion: 23, 54, 85, 133, and 134
• Routes with no change: 113, 121, 122, 139, and 140
• Route change proposal revised from November 2011

Most of the proposals support the launch of the RapidRide C and D lines that will connect downtown Seattle to Ballard and West Seattle starting on Sept. 29. For that reason, the changes primarily affect service in Seattle and adjacent communities. Some of the revisions, such as the proposed changes to the 2 (south), 10, 11, 12, 14, 123, and 125 will also improve the flow of buses through downtown Seattle, which will produce significant efficiencies for Metro’s overall system.

The introduction of the RapidRide lines and associated service adjustments will allow Metro to improve bus connections to jobs, shopping and other destinations – places in and around Seattle that have grown and changed over the years. Many bus routes serving these areas have not been adjusted for more than a decade.

People will have an opportunity to comment on the newly revised September service proposals during the second round of public review that is now underway. You can submit comments by attending one of several meetings and information tables Metro is hosting, or filling out an online survey.

Give us your feedback by Friday, Feb. 17. Here’s how:

• Take their online survey
• Email haveasay@kingcounty.gov
• Call their message line, 206-263-9768
• Connect with them:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Have a Say
  • RSS Feeds

To learn more about the proposals and ways to speak up about the changes, visit: http://www.kingcounty.gov/haveasay.

• SR-509 northbound and southbound lanes at SR 518 bridge.
• SR-518 eastbound and westbound lanes at 24th Ave. S., S. 154th St., and SR 518 bridge at milepost 2.26.

Reduced evening hours on Metro’s Route 139 from the Burien Transit Center to Highline Medical Center will begin in June.

The change is one of many revisions to Metro bus routes that was approved Monday (Jan. 30) by the King County Council.

More than 35,000 service hours will be shifted through the council’s action to “high ridership” bus routes from underperforming routes. This will be accomplished by eliminating 10 underperforming routes and reducing service on another five routes.

Route 139 was one of many targeted earlier for elimination by Metro Transit if a $20 license tab fee to maintain service levels was not imposed on county vehicle owners.

On the plus side, Route 180 from Burien to SeaTac, Kent and Auburn will receive an additional 11,000 hours to provide more evening bus service on the entire route.

Last summer the King County Council voted to impose an annual $20 car tab fee for two years to maintain current Metro bus service and avoid sharp transit cuts.

But County Councilman Larry Phillips of Seattle, appearing on News Line with John Carlson on KOMO Radio Tuesday morning (Jan. 31), said the council was “not cutting bus service” but “was rearranging it … we will have a substantial net gain in ridership.”

Currently the last 139 bus to Highline Medical Center leaves the Burien Transit Center at 9:16 p.m. Beginning in June, there will be no service on Route 139 after 8:15 p.m. – eliminating the final three scheduled evening runs for a savings of 500 service hours.

The only other service impacted in the greater Burien area is Route 129, which serves Riverton Heights and Tukwila. It will be eliminated for a savings of 1,400 service hours.

Routes 129 and 132 will provide some alternate service, but part of Route 129 will have no bus service beginning in June.

Another 8,000 hours of service will be added to 11 other Metro bus routes, and an additional 15,000 hours “will be reallocated to help improve scheduled reliability as determined by the Transit Division,” according to county council spokesman Al Sanders.

He noted that these changes are “the first service adjustments since the adoption of the county’s Transit Strategic Plan.”

“Adoption of these service changes upholds the council’s commitment to Metro’s regionally agreeable upon Strategic Plan,” said Councilwoman Julia Patterson, whose District 5 now includes south Burien.

Phillips said on KOMO Radio that these changes will give Metro “more productive hours” of service on its bus routes.

He added that rider fares pay 25 percent of Metro’s overall operating costs for bus service, which is the national average for public bus transit.

Call Mr. Plow,
That’s my name,
That name again
Is Mr. Plow.

Boom-chi-cha-boom-chi-cha-boom-chi-boom
I’m Mr. Plow, and I’m here to say,
I’m the plowin’est guy in the USA.
I got a big plow and I’ll move a lot of things,
Like your cow if you have one…

Senor Plow no es macho,
Es solamente un borracho…

Every city needs its own ‘Mr. Plow’ (or 3), and the City of Burien is no exception.

Cityfolk have released an updated Snow Removal Route Map, and states on its website that:

“Road Crews are working 24-hour shifts and have extra sand stockpiled to keep roads clear and drivable during the snowstorms hitting our area. Primary arterials are plowed and sanded first, then secondary streets.”

We’re huge fans of “Mr. Plow” so we hope we see him out and about Wednesday morning during the potentially-snowy commute (even if he’s been working for 24 hours straight…).

Here’s the Snow Route Mr. Plow’s map (click image to see larger version, or download a PDF here):

So…have YOU seen an efficient response from the city’s road crews Mr. Plow? Please leave a Comment below…

Metro bus abandoned in a field in Des Moines, Nov. 2010.

Metro Transit will be offering reduced service on Monday, Jan. 16, both due to it being the Martin Luther King holiday as well as the possibility of snow.

“Bus riders should keep an eye on the weather forecast over the weekend and into next week,” reads a press release. “Cold temperatures and possible snow showers could result in Metro going to snow routing. You can monitor the status of service on Metro’s snow webpage, and sign up for Transit Alerts for the routes you use most often.”

And for all you kids out there anxious for the latest snow update, here’s the latest forecast:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind.

Tonight: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.

Friday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Light northeast wind.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Rain showers likely. Snow level 3600 feet lowering to 400 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 200 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 200 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 34.

M.L.King Day: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 400 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 37.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 400 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 33.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 37.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 300 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 38.

Also on Monday, Jan. 16, a rally will be held in Seattle to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants in the rally will march along portions of 23rd Avenue, Union Street, Madison Street, and Second Avenue. Watch for reroutes and possible delays on Metro routes 2, 12, 16, 48, 60 and 66, as well as routes that travel along Second Avenue between Seneca and Cherry streets in downtown Seattle. Other bus routes could be delayed depending on traffic conditions in these areas. Details on the planned reroutes can be found online.

On days with reduced weekday schedules, Metro does not operate some commuter and school-oriented routes, and other routes have individual trips canceled. The next reduced-service holiday is Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 20.

A complete list of routes that are canceled or have trip cancellations on these days can be found online.

The reduced weekday schedule features more bus service than on weekends, but somewhat less service than on normal weekdays. This schedule is typically used on about 10 days through the year with historically lower ridership, and is estimated to save Metro about $1 million annually.

Visit Metro Online for more information, or call the Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000.

For information about King County Water Taxi service – and shuttle routes 773 and 775, please visit the Water Taxi website.

Photo by David Sharpe

Carpenters construct the forms for the four wing walls and re-bar is installed.

Final preparations are made for the pour; a remote controlled pumper truck and cement truck arrive.

A sample of the mix is tested for mix specifications before the pour begins.

Approved, cement is poured into the pumper truck and delivered to the forms. A vibrator helps settle the mix into the forms.

If you’re like us and you don’t know a Wing Wall from former Burien Mayor Wing Woo, here’s some info from Wikipedia:

In a bridge, the wing walls are adjacent to the abutments and act as retaining walls.

They are generally constructed of the same material as those of abutments.

The wing walls can either be attached to the abutment or be independent of it.

The City has begun its improvement project along 1st Avenue South, between SW/S 146th and SW/S 140th Street, which means that there will likely be lane closures between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. between Monday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 23.

Workers will be installing utility vaults, so you may want to keep the potential for delays in mind as you’re doing those last-minute holiday local shopping trips.

Please note also that businesses in the area of construction (in the neighborhood between Burien Chevrolet and Fred Meyer) will remain open, so don’t let this stop you from supporting them!

The project is expected to be completed in 260 working days from its start date of Nov. 30, 2011, and ending in early 201

The city adds on its website:

To begin construction, the general contractor, DPK Inc, will be installing utility vaults within 1st Avenue South beginning Monday, Dec.12 to Friday, Dec. 23.

Please consider construction work zones and safety to your destinations.

Businesses in the affected area WILL REMAIN OPEN, with customers and the general public having a convenient shopping experience while visiting the downtown area.

And here’s even more from the city’s website devote to the project:

The City of Burien is pleased to bring the following improvements to the area.  This project will help decrease the rate of accidents and increase the visibility and safety for all passengers and pedestrians.   We sincerely hope you will “pardon our dust”.

The project supports the development and revitalization of the existing downtown area and increases multi-modal transportation safety by constructing new sidewalk in the downtown area and promoting greater pedestrian use of adjoining businesses. It will also improve non-motorized (including ADA) mobility leading into the downtown area by providing north-south accessibility.

Project Improvements include the following:

• Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters on both sides
• New Concrete Driveways and ADA Ramps
• New Asphalt Pavement Overlay
• New Signals and Street Lighting
• Landscaping
• Undergrounding of Overhead Utilities
• Storm Drainage Improvements

Construction Schedule

The project is expected to be completed in 260 working days starting from Wednesday, November 30, 2011, and ending in early 2013.

Seattle City Light, Comcast and CenturyLink have already begun some relocation of their facilities along the corridor. DPK, Inc. has been awarded the construction project contract and will commence construction in early December. DPK plans to work its way through the corridor in phases starting at SW 146^th Street and ending at SW 140^th Street.

Coordination with local businesses, maintenance of business access, and maintenance of traffic during construction are important components to a successful project in order to protect business activity during the construction period. Businesses in the affected area WILL REMAIN OPEN, with customers and the general public having a convenient shopping experience while visiting the downtown area.

Here’s what the existing area looks like:

Click image for larger version.

And here’s the proposed changes:

Click image to see larger version.

For more information, here are links to documents from the city:

• Project Schedule [pdf]
• Current Conditions [pdf]
• Proposed Improvements [pdf]

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is completing demolition of the southern mile of the viaduct and will open the new construction bypass midday on Saturday. Metro viaduct service will operate on the reroutes that have been used during the closure for the entire day on Saturday, then move to the new bypass on Sunday morning.

The Metro routes that will use the bypass are: 21 Express, 37 southbound, 54, 54 Express, 55, 56 Express, 113, 120, 121, 122, and 125. Bus riders should note that due to narrower lanes and lower speed limits on the bypass, bus travel times on these routes may be longer than before the viaduct was demolished.

Prior to the viaduct closure, Metro increased bus service on the SR 99 corridor. That service will remain in effect to help with anticipated construction disruptions over the next several years.

For the five weekdays during the viaduct closure, additional sailings were added to the King County Ferry District’s West Seattle Water Taxi route. Those sailings will not continue, because the water taxi is moving to its winter schedule on Monday, Oct. 31. That schedule can be found at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/watertaxi.

To stay up to date with any changes to Metro service, please sign up for Transit Alerts at http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/alerts.

King County Metro Transit is inviting the public to discuss proposals to make bus service more efficient in several communities next year, including parts of Seattle. Many of the changes are being proposed to support the launch of the Rapid Ride C and D lines next September.

“We won’t just be adding RapidRide service next year, we will also be restructuring our transit system to improve service quality, provide more connections, reduce duplication, and be more efficient,” said King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. “As we move toward our new vision for public transportation, we are striving to build a highly productive system that gets people where they want to go, leveraging the most value for riders out of every dollar spent on transit.”

In the coming months, Metro will be gathering feedback on a set of proposed bus service changes that will take place in June and September 2012. Some of the proposals will make service simpler and more direct, or reduce duplication. Others will reinvest transit hours, reducing or replacing services that do not meet the productivity guidelines adopted this year. Those hours will be shifted to corridors that have many current – or potential – riders.
The two upcoming RapidRide lines will feature frequent, fast, and reliable service:

• Between West Seattle and downtown Seattle, the C Line will travel from Westwood Village via Fauntleroy, Morgan Junction, and Alaska Junction. It would replace Route 54 and Route 54 Express;
• Between Crown Hill in North Seattle and downtown, the D Line will travel via Ballard, Interbay, and Uptown. It would replace Route 15, both local and express service.

Metro is proposing to make changes to more than 60 bus routes concentrated in Seattle, Burien, Des Moines, Shoreline, SeaTac, and Tukwila. It is hosting seven open house meetings to provide information, answer questions, and get feedback. The meetings will be held:

• Wednesday, Nov. 2 – Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, noon-2 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 3 – Adams Elementary School, 6110 28th Ave. NW, Seattle, 7-9 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 7 – Catharine Blaine Elementary, 2550 34th Ave. W, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Chief Sealth High School, 2600 SW Thistle St., Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 14 – Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St., Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 – South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Ave. S, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 17 – Madison Middle School, 3429 45th Ave. SW, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Metro wants to hear your ideas. Learn more by attending one of the meetings, visiting an information table, or going online to: www.kingcounty.gov/metro/haveasay. You can make comments about potential changes on that website, at the meetings, by emailing haveasay@kingcounty.gov, or by calling 206-263-9768 (English) and 206-263-9988 (Spanish).

Metro’s new “Have a Say” website, is a public engagement portal that offers one-stop-shopping for people who want to get involved. The site offers opportunities to share your opinion using a variety of tools – from the traditional to the virtual – all designed to make it easier to connect with Metro.

Click here to view the embedded video.