Construction to clog northbound I-5 this summer
WSDOT is launching “Revive I-5” work this summer to rehabilitate I-5 and the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle. Major construction begins this July, lasting about four weeks. Work will continue over the next two years, ending in 2027. There will be significant northbound I-5 traffic disruptions this summer. During the northbound closures and lane reductions, Express lanes will stay open 24/7 in the northbound direction. 2025 key dates June 20 – 23 (Friday night to Monday morning): Northbound I-5 two-lane reduction across Ship Canal Bridge. July 18 – 21 (Friday night to Monday… Read More
June is National Safety Month, and helpful safety resources
Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and June is National Safety Month. According to Injury Facts, preventable workplace deaths totaled 4,543 nationally and serious work-related injuries totaled 4.07 million in 2023. Employer obligations include providing a safe working environment, as well as the financial support, management oversight, personal protective equipment, and tools and training staff need to do their jobs safely. Both management and workers need to do their part to make safety a core value. Together, these elements are part of a greater continuous improvement process that aims to identify safety hazards and reduce… Read More
Tap your King County ID or ORCA card on transit
King County Metro has resumed fare inspection, which means that Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders, including King County employees, for proof of payment. As a reminder, everyone—even riders with fully-subsidized transit benefits from an employer like King County—needs to tap their King County ID or use another payment method. As a reminder, King County employees can use their King County ID to travel anywhere, at any time, for free on transit. Tapping your card directly supports transit—and benefits you and Metro in other ways, too. For example, it lets Metro know how you… Read More
Make sure your food vendor has a Public Health permit to avoid foodborne illness
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore the 700+ incredible food trucks and other mobile food businesses serving cuisines from around the world to King County communities. Whether you’re buying a hot dog from a cart before a game or tacos from your favorite truck, we want you to be confident that the vendor is following proper food safety practices. The best way to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses when you’re eating out is to only buy food from businesses that have a food… Read More
Celebrating ‘Filipinotown’ addition to the Seattle Streetcar
Crossposted from Metro Matters On May 21, a new “Filipinotown” addition to the Seattle Streetcar First Hill Line Chinatown-International District vehicle design was officially unveiled. This new design highlights the important contributions of Filipino Americans to Seattle’s rich cultural tapestry. A celebration was held at SDOT’s Charles Street facility, bringing together community leaders, cultural advocates, and residents to participate in the meaningful milestone. Read more.
New law will strengthen statewide recycling, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green King County’s longstanding leadership in recycling will become stronger through the recent passage of Washington’s Recycling Reform Act – a comprehensive law that modernizes the state’s recycling system and promises to slash waste while boosting recycling rates. At the center of the legislation is a policy approach called Extended Producer Responsibility, which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the end of life of the packaging they produce. The law will provide sustainable funding for recycling services, increase recycling rates, and create consistency and transparency in recycling… Read More
Take Trailhead Direct to hiking trails starting May 24
Crossposted from Metro Matters Break out your hiking boots and get ready to explore Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps. King County’s Trailhead Direct, the transit-to-trails service on summer weekends and holidays, returns on Saturday, May 24. Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, begins its eighth season on Memorial Day weekend. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon. Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday,… Read More
Photo essay: Fall City On-Site Septic project enters a new phase
Crossposted from King County Local Complex infrastructure projects are really cool. They are even cooler when they fundamentally change a community in the best possible way. Right now, the Department of Local Services is halfway through building out the Fall City On-Site Septic system project that will fundamentally change the economy in this Snoqualmie Valley community. Simply put, the state-of-the-art septic system means local businesses – which sit at the confluence of two pristine rivers – can safely flush more, wash more dishes and laundry, and put more material down the garbage… Read More
May 18-24 2025 is National Emergency Medical Services Week
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has declared May 18-24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week in King County. “This is in recognition of the value and the accomplishments of our emergency medical services personnel throughout our region,” she said. EMS Week is a time to honor emergency medicine’s frontline workers who provide lifesaving services in our community – day and night. Our own Medic One/EMS system in King County has been called “one of the world’s best” which can be directly attributed to the dedication and skill of the EMTs, paramedics and… Read More
Drug incidents down 35%
Crossposted from Metro Matters Drug incident reports on or near King County Metro decreased by more than one-third from 2023 to 2024. The positive trend coincides with the transit agency reinforcing expectations of riders, and encouraging employees and riders to report incidents. In 2023, there were 1,578 drug-related incidents reported on or near Metro (e.g., buses, bus stops, transit centers, etc.). That represented roughly one incident per 49,000 boardings. In 2024, there were 1,022 drug-related incidents reported, which represented about one incident per 80,000 boardings. “More than 300,000 riders take Metro every… Read More
Employee News 