King County Metro Transit is using the Madison-Miller community on Seattle's Capitol Hill to test an innovative project designed to increase the use of transit, bicycling and foot power. The goal is to provide education and incentives that encourages everyone in the neighborhood to travel in healthier ways for themselves and their community.

For three months, Metro will work with Madison-Miller residents and businesses to make it easier to leave their cars behind and travel by bus, bike, foot or other non-motorized methods.

The Madison-Miller In Motion project was created by Metro and is funded through federal grants. It is also a partnership between King County and local neighborhood organizations, businesses and community groups. It will run through mid-June in this neighborhood, and could be a model for future programs in other areas of the county.

It starts with Metro providing convenient travel information and assistance. This comes via a website dedicated to the “Madison-Miller In Motion” project; information mailed directly to 2,700 homes in the community; colorful posters spread throughout the neighborhood; and an all-ages transportation celebration on Saturday, May 1 at the Miller Community Center.

The program also provides incentives to prompt local residents to make healthier travel choices. Those who join and participate in “Club Motion” are eligible to receive Metro free-ride tickets, reduced rates for Flexcar car-sharing, vouchers for other transit passes and tickets, plus they are entered into drawings to win prizes donated by local merchants. The Club Motion participants are asked to pledge that they will convert a minimum of two car trips per week to traveling by bus, bike, carpool or foot.

This pilot program will be on display at two upcoming events:

April 24 – Visit the Madison-Miller In Motion booth at the YMCA's “Healthy Kids Day” event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Meredith Matthews East Madison YMCA, 301 21st Avenue East;

May 1 – The Madison-Miller “Spring Into Motion” event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will celebrate spring and smart travel choices at the Miller Community Center, 330 19th Avenue East. There will be self-guided walks and bike rides through the neighborhood, activities for kids, and plenty of information about the program.

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Metro's “Pony Express” special service between downtown Seattle and the Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn kicks off this weekend, April 17 and 18, and will run through mid-September.

Each Saturday and Sunday during the racing season, the Pony Express leaves from Second Avenue and Lenora Street in downtown Seattle at 11:47 a.m. – makes a few more stops downtown – and is at the racetrack by 12:30 p.m. The return trip home leaves 10 minutes after the last race, approximately at 6:15 p.m. The service is also offered on Memorial Day and Labor Day.

On weekdays when the Pony Express does not operate, or for additional weekend service, ride Metro Route 150 between downtown Seattle and the Auburn Park-and-Ride. At the park-and-ride, board the free shuttle bus provided by Emerald Downs.

The Pony Express fare is $2 one-way, cash-only. Metro's Visitors Pass is accepted on the Pony Express, but all other passes and transfers are not accepted. Passengers pay the regular Metro fare on Route 150. For all the details, visit Metro Online.

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In mid-April, Metro Transit will be closing a number of bus stops along portions of Ambaum Boulevard Southwest, 16th Avenue Southwest, Delridge Way, 9th Avenue Southwest, and 4th Avenue Southwest.

Metro periodically reviews placement of bus stops. Selectively removing some stops results in a smoother and faster ride for passengers, improves schedule reliability and pedestrian safety. Whenever stops are closed, Metro staff makes sure there are other nearby bus stops to use.

For a list of the stops slated for closure, visit Metro Online.

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Work is progressing well on the reconstruction and widening of Northeast 124th Street, and next week crews will move in more heavy equipment to place bridge girders for the new crossing over the Sammamish River.

Most of the heavy lifting is expected to happen on Monday, April 19. During that time, Northeast 124th Street will be closed in both directions for up to 15 minutes several times throughout the day as the heavy girders are lifted off a truck and placed into position along the roadway. The road must be closed during those maneuvers because it would be too dangerous to have other traffic close to the truck and the swinging girders.

The King County Road Services Division expects to complete the improvements to Northeast 124th Street – between Willows Road and State Route 202 – in the fall of this year. The project includes a wider road, new shoulders, and increased clearance for the Sammamish River Trail underpass.

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