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Fighting global warming on the transportation front This
week King County hosts one of the largest global warming conferences in
the Northwest, with more than 600 participants at Qwest Field. It will
showcase how King County government is attacking global warming and its
effects at every level.On the transportation front, King County is turning words into action by adopting best management construction and maintenance practices, and by providing environmentally friendly transit services and programs. Here are a few highlights: Metro King County Transit King County Metro Transit’s nationally recognized fleet of clean buses has become even cleaner in recent years. The transit agency is piloting the use of a five percent blend of biodiesel to help power a portion of its fleet, making it the single largest user of the fuel in the State of Washington. The fuel, which is blended with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, is reducing greenhouse gases and improving on the 90 percent reduction in tailpipe emissions the agency has already achieved. Metro’s use of biodiesel is helping reduce the agency’s reliance on imported oil while contributing to the production of farm commodities that are used to manufacture biodiesel. Metro’s use of the fuel is also expected to increase markets for this clean burning alternative to fossil fuel.  Metro
also operates one of the largest energy-efficient hybrid bus fleets in
the nation. In mid 2004, the agency began taking delivery of over 200
hybrid articulated coaches. The decision to purchase hybrid
diesel-electric buses continues to be confirmed. After more than a year
of operation, this fleet has proven to be the most reliable the agency
has ever owned, with performance rivaling all other fleets in the United
States. These actions to fight pollution and global warming resulted in Metro being recognized as a “National Clean Bus Leader” for 2004 by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Building a hybrid vehicle fleet King County Department of Transportation’s Fleet Administration Division is also contributing to reduced pollution by purchasing more hybrid cars, including the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV along with new heavier hybrid equipment. The division has the largest fleet of hybrid-electric cars in the State of Washington, with more than 140 hybrids in service. It is estimated the hybrids will save the county more than 14,000 gallons of fuel in 2005 alone. Transportation options create healthier communities The recently completed Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health (LUTAQH) Study provides a basis for strengthening the linkages between how our communities and transportation system grow in ways that promote healthy lifestyles. The study promoted a better understanding of the importance of building healthier communities characterized by more opportunities for residents to be physically active through reduced auto dependency. Communities that are compact, have a mix of land uses and good access to walking, bicycling and transit are usually healthier. This information will be used to evaluate and change the county's development practices, capital and service investments and will be another important tool to help improve public health and reduce health care costs. Examples include providing more walking and bicycle facilities, greater varieties of compatible land uses in developments, walking maps, safe-routes-to-schools and regional trails. Fish passage and habitat improvements  Since
1998, King County Road Services Division has completed more than 70
culvert replacement and habitat enhancement projects. These projects
have restored failing under-road culverts and made more than 45 river
miles accessible once again for salmon and other fish.King County has long played a regional leadership role in developing and using best management road maintenance practices to protect habitat and reduce pollutants and sediment from reaching environmentally sensitive areas such as rivers, streams and wetlands. The county has also focused on the removal of old road culverts and other blockages that prevent fish from reaching spawning areas.  Many
of the county’s large capital projects also include significant habitat
mitigation elements. The new Elliott Bridge crossing the Cedar River
also involves the daylighting of Stewart Creek and provides mitigation
through replanting riparian vegetation and enhanced fish habitat with
the establishment of two new confluence areas on the Cedar River. The
Harris Creek and Meadowbrook bridge projects likewise incorporate
environmental improvements. |
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