Photo: thom-milkovic-unsplash
Seattle unveils 20-year transport plan
30 April 2024
by Christopher Carey
Seattle City Council has unanimously approved a new 20-year transportation plan which it says is a “vision for the future of [its] streets, sidewalks, and public spaces”.
The document proposes more frequent transit, an expansion of the city’s bus and bike-lane network and over 80 infrastructure improvements – including preparations for future light-rail stations, upgrades to ageing bridges and safety improvements on the city’s most dangerous corridors.
The plan is the culmination of a two-year collaborative process between the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the Mayor’s Office, and the City Council.
“Seattleites deserve safe, reliable, and accessible transportation,” said Councilmember Rob Saka, Chair of the Transportation Committee. “It’s time we commit to our transportation goals and give our dedicated SDOT crews the resources they need to succeed. That’s what this plan is all about.”
Funding
According to the city, the plan includes “an expansive and aspirational list of more 81 projects that could be pursued” to fulfil its aims.
Future projects will hinge on funding that still needs to be agreed meaning some schemes may not go ahead.
Several ‘goals’ have been set to guide the overall plan: safety, equity, sustainability, mobility and economic vitality, liveability, and maintenance and modernisation.
The city says that to achieve these goals, the plan intends to “preserve, modernise and maintain ageing bridges, roads, sidewalks, and other critical infrastructure; increase access to sidewalks – particularly by constructing new sidewalks, improving bike lanes, and enhancing public transit opportunities; reduce the number of traffic deaths and serious injuries; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our roads more efficient.”
A proposed US$1.35 billion transportation levy will go to the city’s voters later this year.
The city’s mayor Bruce Harrell is expected to formally transmit his proposal for the levy renewal in the next few weeks, which will then be considered by the Council’s Select Committee on the 2024 Transportation Levy, scheduled to meet for the first time on May 7.
Image: thom-milkovic-unsplash
