Thanks to a new extension and reorganized connecting bus lines, the Link light rail system topped 3 million rides in October.
Seattle’s Link light rail system broke ridership records for the third month running, reports Bryce Kolton for The Urbanist.
According to Kolton, “Spurred by the new Lynnwood Link expansion, subsequent multi-agency bus route reconfigurations, and the usual hustle and bustle of fall festivities, Link continues to show extremely strong growth.”
October 2024 was the first month in Sound Transit history that the system topped 3 million riders, as well as the first month when bus routes were fully restructured to align with the new Lynnwood Link line. “Nearly every station posted a record-setting boarding total in October. The most boarded stations were Westlake (368,936), Seatac/Airport (323,957), and Capitol Hill (297,004).”
However, the system is also suffering from its own success as the fourth most-ridden light rail system in the country. Sound Transit is planning work over the next several months to address reliability issues and infrastructure failures.
Read the full story: Link Light Rail Smashes Ridership Record in October
Floating Light Rail Bridge Crossing Marks Historic Moment for Seattle Transit
Once testing is complete, Sound Transit will open the world’s first light rail line that uses a floating bridge connecting downtown Seattle to the Eastside.
Seattle’s Floating Light Rail Bridge to Open March 28
The new East Link segment of King County’s light rail system crosses Lake Washington on a first-of-its-kind floating bridge.
Seattle Mayor Addresses Soaring Light Rail Costs
As the cost for Sound Transit’s light rail expansion keeps growing, Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to streamline permitting and communication to ensure the project is finished sooner.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority