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News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:
July 13, 2007
(updated July 26,
2007)
Plan ahead for I-5 closure by forming a
new vanpool
King County offering special deal for I-5 commuters
signing up by Aug. 3
The clock is ticking on a great deal to help commuters cope with the
upcoming closure of Interstate 5 in Seattle that is expected to create
widespread traffic backups. Instead of adding to the congestion by
continuing to drive alone, why not share the ride with others in a
King County Metro Transit
vanpool?
For the month of August, Metro is reducing the start-up requirements and
costs for new vanpool groups with as few as five participants. Commuters
who travel the I-5 corridor into or through the Seattle area can form a
new Metro vanpool for just $45 per participant. This is a limited offer
and participants must sign up by Friday, Aug. 3.
Vanpooling is easy. Metro provides the vehicle and everything else
for successful ridesharing,
including: rider support services; maintenance; insurance; fuel; and
tires. All you need is four other riders.
Go to
RideshareOnline to find your riders or call Metro at (206) 625-4500.
Starting Friday, Aug. 10, the Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) will carry out
19 continuous days of intense construction on northbound I-5 between
Spokane Street and Interstate 90. For most of the time, there will only
be two or three lanes open in the northbound direction. Crews will close
an additional lane nightly between midnight and 4:30 a.m.
Traffic congestion resulting from the August closure is expected to be
considerable, particularly for those who commute into Seattle from
communities to the south such as Des Moines, Auburn, Federal Way and
Tacoma. As drivers try to find alternate ways north, other highways and
surface streets will likely also become crowded.
WSDOT is estimating that during the first half of the 19 days it will
close two of five lanes, cutting freeway capacity by 40 percent. In the
second half, three of five lanes will close, shrinking capacity by 60
percent. The agency is urging people who usually drive alone to find
another way to travel during the closure.
If you use the I-5 corridor to get into or through Seattle, you are
eligible for the vanpool offer. It’s easy and there are multiple
benefits:
- Form a new King County Metro vanpool with as few as five
participants;
- Vanpool for just $45 per participant (free with most FlexPasses);
- Only one driver is needed and no orientation class or bookkeeper
is required;
- Gas, insurance and emergency roadside assistance is included;
- Use the special HOV lane on Airport Way South during the closure
to bypass I-5;
- Start as soon as Aug. 1 and return your van by Sept. 8 – or
become a full-time vanpool for as long as you wish.*
(* To continue vanpooling after Sept. 8, groups
must have at least two drivers, a bookkeeper, attend or be scheduled
for orientation class, and pay a traditional vanpool fare.)
For more details, call 206-625-4500 or
email.
Information about transit services and the I-5 project can be found
on Metro Online.
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