Anacortes
Anacortes, WA · Traffic & Transit
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The Tiny Engineering Mistake That Helped Doom The Tacoma Narrows Bridge
The Bridge Twisted Apart On November 7, 1940, Washington State's Tacoma Narrows Bridge began twisting violently in winds of roughly 40 mph. Sections of roadway eventually tore loose and plunged into Puget Sound. The spectacular collapse became one of engineering's most famous disasters , and its fundamental cause changed the way engineers thought about suspension bridges. It Was Already Moving The bridge had opened only four months earlier, on July 1, but its strange behavior wasn't entirely unexpected. Workers and motorists had already watched the roadway rise and fall in relatively modest winds, earning it the nickname "Galloping Gertie." Engineers attempted several measures to control the movement, but none solved the underlying aerodynamic problem. Screenshot of video of Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse (modified); Public domain, Wikimedia Commons Eight Feet Made Trouble One seemingly small design decision proved enormously important. An earlier proposal by engineer Clark Eldridge called for a traditional 25-foot-deep stiffening truss beneath the roadway. The final design associated with engineer Leon Moisseiff instead used sleek, solid plate girders only eight feet deep. That made the bridge lighter, slimmer, and much more flexible. The solid girders created another problem. Rather than allowing air to flow freely through an open
wsmag.net
New Airo Trains Debut on Amtrak Cascades
Amtrak’s Airo trains have made their passenger-service debut on Amtrak Cascades. Two new trainsets began operating Sept. 30, marking the first time Airo trains have entered service anywhere in the country. The new trains will operate four daily Amtrak Cascades trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, with...
westseattleblog.com
CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge will be closed to drivers for another weekend later this month
(Traffic-camera screenshot of work during last closure) When we followed up with SDOT after the most-recent repair closure of the West Seattle low bridge, they told us more closures were planned. Today, they announced the next one is two weeks away:. We will close the Spokane Street Swing Bridge (also...
soundtransit.org
Link operations and maintenance facilities take center stage
Sound Transit’s voter-approved expansion, the largest in the country, will build our network into a five-line light rail system with 116 miles of service and more than 80 stations across three counties. That means nearly doubling the size of the Link network you know today — and dramatically expanding...
westsideseattle.com
Sound Transit Panel advances land acquisition for West Seattle Light Rail line
The Sound Transit System Expansion Committee voted Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, to advance a major land acquisition measure for the West Seattle Link Extension, moving the light rail expansion closer to full board approval despite pushback from local property owners and residents. Chaired pro tem by Pierce County Executive Ryan...
communitytransit.org
Fifty years of putting people first—on the road and on the job
As Community Transit celebrates its 50th anniversary, the milestone honors not just expanding bus lines, but the supportive workplace culture that makes the agency feel like family. Few people understand that environment better than Kathleen Custer Kurjiaka (pictured below). During her 30-year career, she rose from a 21-year-old rookie coach...
secretseattle.co
U District’s The Ave to go car-free for two Saturdays this October
A block of University Way NE, known locally as The Ave, will close to vehicle traffic for two Saturdays this October as part of an event focused on pedestrian activity and public space. “The Ave for All” is scheduled for October 10 and October 17, with the block between NE...
southsoundmag.com
Feel Good Friday: New Trains, a Fashion Event, and a Northwest Icon's Milestone
Amtrak’s Airo trains have made their passenger-service debut on Amtrak Cascades. Two new trainsets began operating late last week, marking the first time Airo trains have entered service anywhere in the country. Get more details here. Lacey MakerSpace Inviting Community to Annual Fundraiser Festival. During the Oct. 10 event,...
MyNorthwest.com
Everett crash causes 7-mile backup, 40-minute delays on southbound I-5
A crash is causing a seven-mile backup and a 40-minute delay on southbound I-5 between Arlington and Everett. The crash occurred in the left lane of southbound I-5 before Marine View Drive. The left lane was blocked approaching the Snohomish River Bridge in Everett before crews cleared it just before 8 a.m. Thursday.
fox13seattle.com
Renton, WA demolition dust, road closures frustrate nearby businesses
The demolition of an abandoned North Renton building meant to curb vandalism has instead sparked complaints over unannounced road closures, traffic snarls, and lost revenue. Nearby business owners and residents report that unexpected deconstruction work filled the area with heavy concrete dust, causing health concerns and property worries. Community advocates...
soundtransit.org
New Night Bus routes offer regional connections 24/7
Have you ever worked a night shift, caught a red-eye flight, or stayed out a little later than you planned?. If so, you know public transportation options can be limited and rideshare services expensive. As of late August, Sound Transit’s Night Bus service has been creating a new option: overnight...
MyNorthwest.com
Multi-car crash blocks Aurora Avenue early Wednesday morning
At least two cars were involved in an early morning crash Wednesday on Aurora Avenue N. The collision occurred at the intersection of Aurora Avenue N and N 85th Street at approximately 5 a.m., blocking multiple lanes on Aurora Avenue. The left two eastbound lanes and the right two southbound...
livingsnoqualmie.com
WSDOT Work to Affect SR 202 and SR 203 Traffic Oct. 6-8
Drivers should expect delays on State Route 202 and State Route 203 this week as Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews and contractors carry out work in Duvall, Carnation and near Snoqualmie Falls. SR 203 in Duvall. From 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7,...