South Beacon Hill Neighborhood Council

Meeting Notes Sept 3 2008

Oct 01, 2008

SBHNC Meeting, September 3, 2008

Waived the reading of Meeting Notes from July 2, 2008.
I covered quickly and I mean quickly, the outstanding projects of interest to SBHNC.
The bulk of the time, from 7:10 to 8:30, were taken up by Jack Lattemann from DOT, Transit/SD, Service Planner, who presented what seemed to be rather sketchy proposals , probably due to lack of funds.

This lack of funds has at least two sources.
1 SLUT, which was paid for by a LID to cover the cost of construction, but not Maintenance nor Operation.
2. is the County Council requirement that 50% of all new service must be allocated to the suburbs, regardless of ridership.

Proposed Changes

Route 60
Currently using the 30 seat coaches, this route has some serious problems, primarily with standees. The 30 seat units on this route are a result of construction around Swedish and Harborview. This construction at Swedish is complete. Harborview construction is in final stages.

Route 34
Proposed change adds service after 7PM from downtown and will allow Rte 36 to avoid the VA loop and remain mixed electric and diesel service.

Route 36
Currently requires diesel units to serve the VA in the evening.
Throughout the day, diesel units are required to provide service during the day, from Beacon Ave South & S Myrtle Street to South Henderson Street & Rainier Avenue South. Metro proposes to wire from Beacon Ave S & S Myrtle Street at least to MLK, for Link Service and provide a layover at MLK.

Route 106
Currently goes up Rainier Avenue South left into South Othello Street, then via Swift Avenue South and onto I-5 then off at Spokane.
Metro proposes two changes.
First, Metro proposes the route go in Airport Way South.
Suggested routes include
1.Over Swift/Albro Bridge, with a right turn into Stanley Avenue South and into 13th Avenue South, at light turn left into Airport Way South, turn onto South Spokane Street..
2.Go up 15th Avenue South to Cleveland High School, left on South Lucille Street, then right into Airport Way South, turn onto South Spokane Street.
3. Go up 15h Avenue South to Columbian Way, sown the hill to South Spokane Street.

Second, take Rte 36 over from Beacon Avenue South & South Myrtle Street to Rainier Avenue South & South Henderson Street.




Comment on Rte 60
This first could be implemented almost at once, if there are available resources.
Review the route and if street space has been recovered, use 40 seat equipment, and if possible, use New Flyer Articulated Low Floor Bus with seating from 58 to 61.
Maybe these can be used between 10AM and 3PM.

Comment on Rte 34
This first could be implemented almost at once, if there are available resources.

Comment on Rte 36
Current route from Beacon Avenue South & South Myrtle Way to Rainier Ave South
1. No wire from Beacon Avenue South and Myrtle Street going/coming from Rainier Beach.
Wire from Beacon Ave S and S Myrtle Street at least to MLK, for Link Service and provide a layover at MLK. This terminates Rte 36 at a Sound Transit Link, with a layover location nearby, but no safety in numbers (one driver).
This is not a safe place after dark. Bus drivers will not like being alone in a dangerous place
Wire from South Beacon Ave to Rainier Avenue South via South Myrtle Street, which covers all of Rte 106.

Comment on Rte 106.
Everyone acknowledges that Rte 106 should NOT go onto I-5 in either direction.