Snow causes few disruptions for Issaquah residents
December 25, 2012
Snow crept into forecasts in recent days, but aside from a dusting in higher-elevation neighborhoods and a delay for Issaquah School District students, winter weather did not cause significant disruptions in the area.
In response to slushy conditions on roads and some snowfall overnight, school district administrators delayed the start of school two hours Dec. 18. The day before, as forecasters issued a winter weather advisory for Western Washington, Issaquah and King County road crews prepared for snow.
State awards more than $3.5 million for local bridge projects
November 29, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. Nov. 29, 2012
The state Department of Transportation awarded more than $3.5 million to Issaquah and King County to replace aging bridges, officials announced Wednesday.
The projects — a plan to replace the Northwest Dogwood Street bridge in downtown Issaquah and a plan to redo a bridge across 15 Mile Creek at the base of Tiger Mountain — received a portion of $130 million in federal funds to repair or replace aging bridges.
Replacing the Northwest Dogwood Street bridge across Issaquah Creek is a long-held goal among city officials, but a lack of funding prevented the project from proceeding in the past. The city project is in line to receive $2,254,400 in federal funds.
Reconstruction is meant to help reduce flooding by creating more capacity for the creek beneath the replacement bridge. The project could also add safer access for pedestrians — a change from the narrow bridge in place now.
Crews gird for snow removal before flakes start to fall
November 27, 2012
The mercury dips a little lower as November turns to December, winter starts in mere weeks, and the agencies responsible for ensuring roads remain passable in ice and snow readied removal plans for the months ahead.
Issaquah, King County and the state prepare detailed ice and snow response plans long before the flakes start to fall. The agencies face challenges in Issaquah and the surrounding area due to steep terrain, narrow roads and limited funding.
King County executive proposes $20 fee to fund roads
October 9, 2012
Unincorporated King County residents could pay a $20 vehicle license fee next year to shore up road maintenance in rural areas.
Dow Constantine
King County Executive Dow Constantine recommended the fee in the proposed 2013 budget. The fee is projected to raise $4.5 million to fund road projects in unincorporated areas, such as Klahanie, May Valley and Preston in the Issaquah area.
The alternative could mean reduced maintenance to correct problems, such as potholes, and a slower response during snow and ice storms.
Still, county leaders need about $50 million to $65 million per year to maintain the 1,500-mile road network in unincorporated King County.
“The fee won’t be enough, not by a long shot. But it’s the only remaining authority left to counties by the Legislature,” Constantine said in a Sept. 24 budget address to the King County Council. “The system for funding local transportation in Washington state is broken. Everybody knows it. We have a 1930s revenue system to fund 21st century transportation needs.”
King County executive appoints emergency management director
August 29, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. Aug. 29, 2012
King County Executive Dow Constantine appointed local crisis manager Walt Hubbard to lead the county Office of Emergency Management.
Hubbard served as acting director at the agency for the past several months, since former Director Hillman Mitchell departed for a private sector job. Officials selected Hubbard after a nationwide search, and Constantine announced the appointment Tuesday.
“Walt brings a wealth of experience and strong local relationships that will help us protect residents and businesses in the event of disaster,” he said in a statement.
King County faces risks from earthquakes, floods, terrorism, volcanic eruptions and numerous other threats, both natural and manmade.
County to make safety improvements near Liberty High School
June 19, 2012
King County road crews plan to make safety improvements near Liberty High School soon.
The county King County Road Services Division received federal grant funding to complete the project east of Renton. Crews plan to restripe the westbound lanes at the intersection of 168th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 128th Avenue Street — north of Liberty.
Get involvedSubmit comments about the project by June 29 to Community Relations, King County Department of Transportation by phone at 206-263-9770, by email to community.relations@kingcounty.gov or by mail to 201 S. Jackson St., MS: KSC-TR-0824, Seattle, WA 98104. Learn more about the project at www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Roads/Construction/ConstructionProjectsOther/HighwaySafetyProgram.aspx. |
Plans also call for the existing traffic signal to be changed to provide a left-turn signal. Expect improved pedestrian facilities to result from the project, too.
Officials expect the changes to reduce the number and severity of rear-end collisions involving motorists waiting to turn left from Southeast 128th Avenue Street onto 168th Avenue Southeast.
In the existing arrangement, a curve limits the visibility of vehicles stopped in the inside westbound lane. Advance warning signs and flashers located east of the intersection should help alert westbound motorists of changes and the need to merge to the right.
Construction is expected to begin by September and be completed by the end of the year. Students return to Liberty and other Issaquah School District campuses Sept. 4.
No full road closure is expected as crews complete the work. Expect to see project signs on the approaches to the intersection to alert motorists a few weeks prior to the start of construction.
King County to make safety improvements near Liberty High School
June 14, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. June 14, 2012
King County road crews plan to make safety improvements near Liberty High School soon.
The county King County Road Services Division received federal grant funding to complete the project east of Renton. Crews plan to restripe the westbound lanes at the intersection of 168th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 128th Avenue Street — located north of Liberty.
Plans also call for the the existing traffic signal to be changed to provide a left-turn signal. Expect improved pedestrian facilities to result from the project, too.
Officials expect the changes to reduce the number and severity of rear-end collisions involving motorists waiting to turn left from Southeast 128th Avenue Street onto 168th Avenue Southeast.
King County auctions used vehicles, equipment to public
May 17, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. May 17, 2012
Old King County Sheriff’s Office patrol cruisers and other used equipment go on the auction block Saturday, as King County hosts a semi-annual auction.
The auction features numerous pickups, vans and cars retired from county service. Bidding starts at 9 a.m. at the Fleet Administration Division of the Kcounty Department of Transportation, 3005 N.E. Fourth St., Renton, near Renton Technical College.
The auction is managed by the Fleet Administration Division.
Previews start Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the auction site, and starting at 8 a.m. Saturday.
County’s proposed road plan calls for limited service on local streets
September 13, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 13, 2011
Some streets in rural and unincorporated areas near Issaquah could receive reduced maintenance and a lower priority for snow removal under a proposal King County leaders unveiled Monday — a plan County Executive Dow Constantine called “triage” for a cash-strapped and deteriorating roads system.
Dow Constantine
Constantine proposed a plan to prioritize road maintenance, snow removal and storm response on a tiered system.
Important arteries — such as Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast, Preston-Fall City Road Southeast, Southeast Issaquah-Fall City Road and sections of Southeast May Valley Road east of state Route 900 — remain top priorities for maintenance, snow removal and storm cleanup under the proposal.
Transit prodigy mentors the next generation
May 31, 2011
Thirty years ago, Ted Day was a 10-year-old with an interest in King County’s transit system. By that young age, he had memorized all of the bus routes in the Metro system, and was featured as a transit prodigy in an article in The Seattle Times.
Matthew Neisius (left), an Issaquah High School sophomore, met with Metro Transit Service Planner Ted Day to discuss a future transportation career. Contributed
Fast forward to 2011, and the 39-year-old Day now works for King County Metro Transit as one of the agency’s senior service planners. It is a position that taps into his early passion to “fill in all the big spaces without bus runs.”
The Service Planning group is continually updating Metro’s bus system by adjusting the type and frequency of service throughout the county. It also leads efforts for long-range transit planning and integration of Metro’s service with other transportation agencies like Sound Transit.
