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Efficient regional transportation is a top priority for the Port of Seattle, whether it’s moving freight to and from the shipping terminals, getting passengers and goods to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or cruise ships, or providing access to other Port properties.
Coordinated through a port-wide Regional Transportation Strategy Team we work together to identify the projects and programs needed to help meet the Port’s transportation objectives and goals. This internal collaboration is invaluable when it comes to coordinating efforts and determining port-wide priorities.
The Port collaborates with partner agencies to leverage investments and develop transportation systems that are key to the region's long-term vitality. The Port also contributes financially to some projects to help mitigate the impact of its business on the local community. Below is a quick snapshot of important regional transportation projects and programs we are working on. For additional information, click on the heading to link to project web sites.
Following the Nisqually earthquake of February 2001, the state and city realized that the Alaskan Way Viaduct (Viaduct) is at risk from another major seismic event and would have to be replaced (built in 1953). The city's seawall, which supports the Viaduct, Alaskan Way surface street and many utilities, is also in need of renovation.
The Port depends on the Viaduct and seawall for freight mobility, Port facility access, and regional mobility. While our container trucks don’t travel on the Viaduct, it still carries over 100,000 vehicles which would otherwise be using the Duwamish area streets and conflicting with freight and rail lines. Many people headed to port facilities do use the Viaduct as a west side artery; these include the Pier 66 Central Waterfront complex and Cruise Terminal, Pier 69, Terminal 91, Sea-Tac Airport and the Port marinas. Also, the Viaduct is key to the regional highway system, carrying 25% of the north-south traffic through the downtown area.
In January 2009, Governor Gregoire, Mayor Nickels, and County Executive Sims announced a Bored Tunnel Hybrid as the preferred alternative to carry forward for further study. The state, city, county and Port have outlined a funding framework to pursue, in environmental review and further design. Bored tunnel construction is estimated for 2011-15 with Viaduct demolition and waterfront reconstruction to follow.
Watch the Bored Tunnel and waterfront boulevard video simulations.
Download The Bored Tunnel: A Solution for Growth brochure here.
The Port is working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), City of Seattle and King County to ensure that the project meets the Port’s needs and can be funded. The Port Commission believes that the replacement of the Viaduct should achieve the best balance among retaining and creating jobs, sustaining regional economic vitality, and benefiting the environment.
The State Route 519, or South Seattle Intermodal Access Project, is located in Seattle’s SODO District. The project purpose is to improve vehicle and freight access between I-5 and I-90 and the Seattle waterfront, including Port container terminals, the ferry dock and the Seattle International Gateway Rail Yard. The project also increases safety by separating road, pedestrian, and rail traffic. The project was completed in two phases. Phase 1 (2004) provides east-bound access to the freeway system, including the Atlantic Street on ramps to I-90 and I-5 and the Atlantic Street overpass. Phase 2 (2010) provides west-bound waterfront access from I-90 and I-5, including: 1) a new westbound off-ramp from I-5 and I-90 via the current South Atlantic Street Overpass; 2) a grade separated local connector and pedestrian crossing on South Royal Brougham Way; and 3) improvements of the First Avenue South and South Atlantic Street intersection.
The Freight Action Strategy for Seattle-Tacoma (FAST) Corridor Partnership, established in 1998, pursues funding for 25 high-priority projects for transportation improvements along the railroad mainline and truck corridors near Puget Sound ports between Everett and Tacoma. To date, fourteen projects have been completed with additional projects underway.
FAST is a partnership of state, local and regional agencies, including Puget Sound ports, railroads and the trucking industry. Its goals are to improve mainline rail capacity and connectivity, eliminate roadway chokepoints where rail and arterial roads intersect, provide safe rail crossings in communities and establish reliable truck links between ports, rail yards and freight distribution centers. The Port has committed to contributing about $30 million to the program. To date, it has authorized about $14 million of contributions for FAST corridor partners' projects.
The Port is the lead agency, with other private and public partners, constructing this grade separation on Duwamish Avenue South, south of South Spokane Street. The project will elevate East Marginal Way through this corridor and improve access to Port terminals, UP and BNSF rail yards, and manufacturing and distribution centers. The track to be grade-separated connects on-dock rail at the Port’s Terminals 5 and 18 (where containers are loaded directly onto trains rather than onto a truck to be moved to a rail yard) with the rail mainline. The project also benefits general purpose traffic and industrial uses in West Seattle.
The proposed extension of SR 509 from its current terminus at South 188th Street to a new connection to I-5 at South 210th Street and the widening of I-5 from South 210th Street to South 320th Street in Federal Way, provides several benefits. The project will ease congestion on I-5, provide a new route for trucks in lieu of I-5, SR 99 and local streets, and improve southern access to Sea-Tac International Airport.
The I-5/SR 509 project is ready to go to construction. The preliminary design has been completed. State and federal permits and environmental documents are complete. WSDOT is purchasing a portion of the land needed to build the roads, and has nearly completed some environmental improvements that are part of the project.
The Washington state legislature and project partners have provided some funding, but more is needed before major construction can begin. The project partners are: the Federal Highway Administration, WSDOT, the Port, cities of SeaTac, Des Moines and Kent.
SR 518 is a key limited-access state highway and freight corridor between SR 509 in Burien and I-5/I-405 in Tukwila. SR 518 provides the primary access to Sea-Tac Airport, carrying more than 70% of all passenger and air cargo trips. The route also serves thousands of commuters in South King County.
WSDOT, the Port and the City of Burien, in cooperation with other cities and Sound Transit, are working together to improve SR 518. In the Spring 2009, WSDOT completed Phase 1, which added a third eastbound lane from the airport to I-5/I-405, adding capacity and improving safety. Phase 2 of the project would improve the southbound to eastbound connection from SR 509 to SR 518, and is not yet funded.
The Link Light Rail Station opened in December 2009 in a joint collaboration between Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle. Travelers can ride light rail between the airport and downtown, and other light rail destinations. The SeaTac / Airport Station is connected to the fourth floor of the Airport Garage and a covered, level walkway connects to the Airport Terminal. The well-lit walkway is separated from the main area of the garage and directional signs point the way to the Main Terminal skybridge. Wheelchair service is available.
Link Light Rail service runs from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday and 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Trains arrive and depart every 7 1/2 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day.
The City of Seattle is planning for the Two-way Mercer Corridor Project which will enhance Mercer Street from I-5 to the Elliott Bay waterfront. The first phase, between I-5 and Dexter Avenue North, will provide three travel lanes in each direction with parking and sidewalks on both sides. Phase 2, between Dexter and Elliott Avenues, will have six lanes between Dexter and 5th Avenue North, four lanes between 5th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North, and two lanes between 1st Avenue North and Elliott Avenue. Phase 1 began construction in early 2010.
The Mercer Corridor has become an important element of the proposed Alaskan Way Viaduct Bored Tunnel project as it will provide a key east/west connection at the north portal of the tunnel. Mercer Street is being designed as an important freight corridor between the Seattle waterfront, Interbay, Ballard, and the regional highway system.
The Port is coordinating closely on this project to protect the corridor as a viable truck route. The Port continues to participate in the Mercer Corridor Stakeholders' Committee and as a partner in the Alaskan Way Viaduct project team.
Many Puget Sound regional efforts will affect the planning, funding and construction of transportation projects that are important to the Port over the next 20-plus years.
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is the region’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) under federal law, and Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) under state law. Its role is to work with local communities, government entities, and citizens to develop and plan for implementation of a joint vision for land use, transportation, and economic development in the region. PSRC regularly updates three plans, Vision 2040, Transportation 2040, and the Regional Economic Strategy, to achieve these goals. PSRC also distributes federal transportation funds to the region.
Port Commissioners and staff serve on a number of PSRC Boards and Committees, working to ensure that the Port’s needs are considered in these planning documents. Current efforts are focused on better integrating freight mobility needs into the PSRC’s planning and funding decisions.
Constructed in the 1930s, the Magnolia Bridge is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced, a fact made plain when the Nisqually earthquake in February 2001 closed the bridge for several months for seismic repairs. The project is designed to replace the existing bridge, not add additional capacity. The bridge provides a key access point to the Port's Terminal 91 and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.
The City of Seattle selected a preferred alternative (Alternative A), placing the proposed new bridge immediately south of the existing bridge, and completed its "Type, Size & Location" study. While there are currently no construction dollars for this $200 million dollar project, the city is continuing design and other efforts while pursuing needed funding.