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Seattle Freight Mobility Program
CURRENT EVENTS
• The SDOT Traffic Management Division has published a new informational map to give to truck drivers who use the Spokane St Corridor. It was printed in five languages (English, Punjab, Amharic, Spanish and Russian). We are encouraging alternative routes during periods of corridor congestion. Hard copies of these maps are available for your use from SDOT. Click here to see the document.
• SDOT has published a new informational brochure on the City’s freight program. It presents a progress report on major accomplishments in 2005 and 2006, and planned improvements in 2006 and 2007 to keep freight moving. Click here to see the document.
• In preparing for Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement construction, 35 businesses in the Duwamish and Ballard manufacturing and industrial centers were interviewed. These industrial and trucking intensive businesses ranged from 50-1,000 + employees. Survey results are now available. For more information on actions being considered by the project team to decrease congestion during construction visit WSDOT's project web site.
Bridge Vehicle Weight Restrictions:
• SDOT has posted signs on City Owned Bridges with Vehicle Weight Restrictions. Click here to view these locations.
• In addition, the Washington State Department of Transportation has posted weight restrictions on the Alaskan Way Viaduct (Look for SR 99) on both the Viaduct and at downtown Seattle ramps. Click here to see the WSDOT site for specific information.
New Traffic Cameras On-Line in 2006
SDOT installed 9 new Traffic Surveillance Cameras in the Duwamish industrial area. The cameras have been added to the inventory of city and state cameras that observe traffic incidents and flow conditions.
The Duwamish Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) camera images are available to the public and can be accessed at this website:
http://www.seattle.gov/trafficcams/
SDOT installed 9 new traffic surveillance cameras at these locations:
o 1 Ave S & S Holgate Street
o 3 Ave S & S Lander Street
o 6 Ave S & S Spokane Street
o West Seattle Bridge Mid-Span
o 1 Ave S & E Marginal Way S
o W Seattle Bridge & Delridge Exit
o 4 Ave S & S Michigan Street
o W Marginal Way SW & Chelan Ave SW
o E Marginal Way S & S Hudson Street
New Truck Restrictions On Airport Way South Over Argo Railyard
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will restrict commercial truck/freight traffic to the curb lane in either direction on Airport Way South over the Argo Railyard near S. Lucille Street beginning May 22, 2006. As a result, SDOT will restrict commercial truck/freight traffic over the bridge, both southbound and northbound to the right lane (curb lane) only at all time for the foreseeable future to delay imposing weight restrictions. Trucks carrying legal loads may continue to travel on the bridge provided they travel in the right lane only.
See this links for further information:
Restrictions On Airport Way South Over Argo Railyard Traffic Advisory
Hazardous Materials Transportation
Hazardous Materials Restricted in Battery Street and on Viaduct During Peak Travel Periods
On May 20-21 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) posted signs to remind drivers that hazardous materials are restricted at all times in the Battery Street Tunnel and on the Alaskan Way Viaduct during weekday peak travel periods. The City of Seattle Traffic Code prohibits transport of hazardous materials through the tunnel at all times. Weekday restrictions will continue on the Alaskan Way Viaduct between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. SDOT will be replacing existing warning signs prohibiting flammable materials with signs barring hazardous materials.
See these links for further information:
Media Release
Notification Letter, May 2006
Hazardous Materials Ordinance Notice
Hazardous Materials Ordinance
Map of Heating Oil Transport Alternative Transport Routes (Example Route)
Please Note:
The Freight Mobility Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th, 2008. For more information, click here.
Truck Permits:
Over-Legal Vehicles and Loads, Travel Directions, and Downtown Traffic Control Zone Regulations - Call: (206) 684-5086
All over-legal loads traveling within the City of Seattle are required to obtain a special permit. See above link and phone number for more information.
Seattle Freight Mobility Projects
SDOT has several projects underway to improve freight mobility. Listed below are the project summaries for nine current projects.
City of Seattle Freight Mobility Actions
SDOT strives to improve city and regional freight mobility in support of the economy and concert with City plans. The following freight actions have been identified for the years listed:
2005
2004
2003
Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee
Freight Mobility Plan
SDOT Freight Mobility Action Plan: 2005 Plan Update
Guiding SDOT efforts to improve freight mobility, SDOT updates the Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan annually. The Plan presents a list of actions to be implemented by the various SDOT divisions. These actions or tasks address administrative and functional actions to be carried out by SDOT to benefit freight pursuant to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan. Actions include railroad grade separations, truck guide signing, street improvements, and ongoing communication with the Seattle freight community via the Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee.
In order to guide SDOT efforts to improve freight mobility, SDOT prepared the City's first Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan in November 2002. The Plan presented a list of actions to be implemented by the various SDOT divisions. These actions or tasks addressed the anticipated administrative and functional actions to be carried out by the respective SDOT divisions to benefit freight pursuant to city policy contained in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan. Actions included railroad grade separations, truck guide signing, street improvements for the benefit of trucks and other modes, and ongoing communication with the Seattle freight community via the Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee and other outreach. (Follow this link to see the 2002 version of the Plan.)
We have updated the Action Plan to reflect changes in our freight program; new actions to be done in 2005 in coordination with the freight community; and our accomplishments during this past year. This document is an update of the Plan, and identifies actions to be undertaken in 2005.
If you would like further information about the Plan, please contact sdotfreight@seattle.gov.
Thank you for your interest in the Seattle Freight Mobility Program.
Mail:
PO Box 34996
Seattle WA 98124-4996
Phone - 206-684-8370
Fax - 206-684-5180
sdotfreight@seattle.gov
Seattle Major Truck Streets
The Seattle Comprehensive Plan calls for the designation of a network of Major Truck Streets to serve as primary routes for the movement of good and services. The specific network of Major Truck Streets is defined in Seattle's Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP) and is illustrated on the Major Truck Streets network map. A Major Truck Street is a street classification for an arterial street that accommodates significant freight movement through the City, and to and from major freight traffic generators. Some state routes and highways are also designated as Major Truck Streets on the network map. SDOT uses the designation as an important criterion for street design, traffic management decisions, and pavement design and repair.
Truck Routes
The TSP also contains a street classification map with three classifications of arterials and classifications for local streets. See the TSP to obtain more detail on arterial street definitions and locations. All arterials are considered to be truck routes, which are streets where trucks are allowed and encouraged to travel.
Click here to view the Major Truck Streets Map
Seaport Connectors
SDOT and the Port of Seattle have identified key existing ground transportation routes that provide connections to Port facilities. Two maps are available. The Seaport Highway Connectors map identifies existing routes that provide safe, reliable, efficient and direct access between a Port marine facility and the state highway or interstate system. The Seaport Intermodal Connectors map identifies existing routes that provide safe, reliable, efficient and direct access between Port terminals and the primary railroad intermodal facilities located in Seattle.
These routes have a number of common characteristics: they are on designated arterial streets; have a high frequency of use by freight; provide two-way travel and direct access between Port facilities and the regional highway system; and provide road access to marine facilities. Protecting the capacity and functionality of these facilities for truck traffic is critical to the Port of Seattle's economic functions.
Click here to view the Seaport Highway Connectors Map
Click here to view the Seaport Intermodal Connectors Map
Freight Data
- Seattle Major Truck Streets (2007)
Street Type |
Centerline Miles |
% of MTS |
Major Truck Streets (MTS) |
142 |
|
City Arterials |
490 |
29% |
All City Streets |
1,176 |
12% |
- Commercial Vehicle Load Zones – Estimated Spaces - 460
- Truck Load Zones - Estimated Spaces – 430 to 440
SDOT conducted a Truck Rodeo on November 17, 2005
The purpose of this event was to test how well trucks can make turns though the proposed intersection design for the 9th and Mercer intersection, as part of the Mercer Corridor Project. The design layout included truck, pedestrian and bicycle geometric elements to determine if the planned designs can accommodate the types of large trucks expected to operate along this route. This test was requested by the Freight Mobility Advisory Committee at several recent meetings.
Various size trucks were provided by Gordon Trucking, Nelson Trucking, Trident Seafoods, Charlie's Produce, CityIce, and Seattle Fire Department.
For more information, click here.
Resource and Links Related to Freight
Traffic Conditions:
City of Seattle Traffic Cameras
Seattle Traffic Congestion Map
South Downtown Business Association (SODO) Traffic Information
Seattle Traffic Flow Map
City of Seattle Webpage Links:
Mayor's Action Agenda for Manufacturing & Maritime Sectors
City of Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan
City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan
Preparing for Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement construction
Ballard Interbay Northend Manufacturing & Industrial Center (BINMIC) Neighborhood Plan
Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center Neighborhood Plan
Liveable South Downtown
Right of Way Improvement Manual
Green Ribbon Commission on Climate Protection
Seattle Climate Action Plan, September 2006
Sign Up for SDOT E-mail Alerts
Freight Reports:
Access Duwamish, A Freight Mobility and Economic Strategy for the Duwamish Area, Project Summary Report, June 2000
External Webpage Freight Links:
Seattle Manufacturing Industrial Council
Port of Seattle
Port of Seattle's Truckers Guide (PDF format)
Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board
Washington State Department of Transportation Freight Office
FAST Corridor Partnership
Puget Sound Regional Council Freight Resource Page
Washington Department of Ecology: Reducing Diesel Engine Exhaust At Truck Stops
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