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
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?
Learn moreአማርኛٱلْعَرَبِيَّة简体中文繁體中文한국어Afaan Oromooaf-SoomaaliEspañolTagalogትግርኛTiếng việt
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.
MSL Cup Champions—Seattle Sounders hosts celebration parade in downtown Seattle, Tues. Nov. 12
Sunday was an epic day for Seattle Sounders fans! Now here comes the celebratory parade. The Sounders made history at CenturyLink Field on Sunday as the second most attended MSL Cup of all time. Tickets to the 24th MLS Cup sold out in minutes and 69,274 fans filled CenturyLink Field on Sunday surpassing the fields previous Seahawk’s […]
Get ready! Tolling of the SR 99 tunnel starts November 9.
Do you have a travel plan and your #GoodToGo toll pass? Tolling the SR 99 tunnel is part of the third chapter of the #SeattleSqueeze, the period through 2024 where Seattle’s downtown is in a state of transition to meet the needs of our growing city. We need everyone’s help to keep people moving to and through downtown Seattle. How […]
Alaskan Way is open during construction—come check us out!
What’s happening? As we prepare for the start of SR 99 tolling on November 9, we are working with the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects to keep Alaskan Way open and accessible to drivers and pedestrians. This coordination is all part of the #SeattleSqueeze and all our partners are working together to make travel as smooth as […]