The Seattle Squeeze is the period from now until 2024 when downtown Seattle will experience massive construction and redevelopment. With more than 60 public and private construction projects currently underway, and another 1,000 projects slated for development, our transportation system is becoming increasingly strained.
To keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently through Seattle, the City has invested in projects and programs to ease the constraint of our massive growth.
The main events.
Chapter three SR 99 Tolling & Connect 2020
The #SeattleSqueeze continues as construction in downtown Seattle impacts how we get around through 2024. What's happening in the next chapter of the Seattle Squeeze?
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Chapter two Why are buses coming out of the tunnel?
When King County first built the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, the region's agencies always intended for an eventual transition to light-rail-only. There are two reasons that caused the buses to move permanently to the surface on March 23, 2019.
Chapter one #SeattleSqueeze Data
Approximately 250,000 people commute to and through downtown each day. With the new SR‐99 tunnel now open, we've been analyzing the data from the closure to understand what went well, how we could have done better, and how we can keep the good changes going during the next chapter of the #SeattleSqueeze.
Here’s how we’re preparing.
To keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently through Seattle, the City has invested in projects and programs to ease the constraint of our massive growth and redevelopment.
Reducing drive‐alone trips downtown.
Did you know that employees who occasionally work from home report greater work-life balance and are also more productive? And, if you’re working from home (or working longer days in a shorter week), then you’re not coming into downtown as often! This is just one of the strategies we’re working on that’s aimed at reducing the number of drive-alone trips into downtown.
Managing construction projects in the public right‐of‐way.
We’re working to sequence construction projects and mitigate impacts to increase accessibility and decrease traffic interruptions. Keeping the public right of way clear for people walking, biking, taking transit, or using other modes of transportation is important to maintaining safety and mobility during the Seattle Squeeze.
Transportation system monitoring and managing of real‐time traffic operations.
We’re continuing to monitor our transportation system closely during the Seattle Squeeze, and we’re making adjustments in real time to traffic signals and traffic lanes so we can safely get people and goods where they need to go.
Investing in transit to meet demand and expand access.
We’re ensuring that there are more buses to downtown, that travel times for transit customers are maintained or improved, and that transit continues to be the most convenient and reliable way for local and regional commuters to arrive downtown.
We’re working together.
For you.
The City of Seattle, Washington State Department of Transportation, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and the Port of Seattle are working together to keep people and goods moving safely. We’re working around the clock to help you prepare and navigate the construction impacts while keeping you informed so you can plan accordingly.
Ready to make a plan?
Check out our latest blog posts.
If you want to read more, you can explore our blog.
Link light rail weekend closure & platform changes coming your way!
We’re halfway done with the #Connect2020 Link light rail disruptions! Two things you need to know: Weekend Closure: Shuttle buses replace Link trains this weekend between Capitol Hill and SODO starting Friday, February 7 at 9pm.Platform switch: Starting Monday, February 10, Link light rail riders will board all trains at Westlake & University Street stations […]
Three reasons to hop back on a bike during #Connect2020
The snow was a good excuse for many (but not all) of us to ignore our bikes last week, but now that highs are back around 50 with a grey blanket of clouds, it’s time to bundle up and befriend our bikes again. Chapter 3 of the #SeattleSqueeze continues with Connect 2020 Link light rail […]
Flex your commute during Connect 2020
This week was the start of Connect 2020 Link light rail disruptions. Two days down, 10 weeks to go. You’ve got this, Seattle. We appreciate everyone who has patiently navigated the downtown Link light rail stations and smoothly made the Pioneer Square station transfer. On Monday, a lot of you had the same idea and […]