Freight Mobility Program

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Truck Permits

Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan

Major Truck Streets

Seattle Freight Mobility Projects

Truck Routes

Seaport Connectors

Bridges With Posted Vehicle Weight Restrictions

Major Truck Streets Mailing List

Resources and Links Related to Freight

Seattle Freight Advisory Board

Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee

Seattle Freight Mobility Program

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) maintains a freight program to improve freight mobility and safety in Seattle, in conjunction with department efforts to improve mobility across a range of transportation modal opportunities for moving people and goods. Assigned staff actively work on plans, programs and implementation of measures to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and services. SDOT has staff supporting freight mobility in the categories of commercial vehicle enforcement, planning, traffic operations, capital project implementation and funding resources. SDOT also maintains the Seattle Freight Advisory Board to obtain timely freight stakeholder input and recommendations on Seattle’s and external agencies proposed plans and improvements. SDOT staff participate in regional stakeholder and planning forums concerned with fostering advances in freight mobility.

FREIGHT INFORMATION:

Need Truck Permit and Truck Travel Information?

All over-legal loads traveling within the City of Seattle are required to obtain a special permit. See this link for more information.

Over-Legal Vehicles and Loads, Truck Travel Directions, and Downtown Traffic Control Zone Regulations - Call: (206) 684-5086

Spokane Street Corridor Truck Routing

The SDOT Traffic Management Division has published an informational map to for use by truck drivers who use the Spokane St Corridor. It was printed in five languages (English, Punjab, Amharic, Spanish and Russian). SDOT encourages alternative routes during periods of corridor congestion and construction disruption. Printed versions of these maps are available for use from SDOT. Click here to see the document.

Bridge Vehicle Weight Restrictions:

SDOT has posted signs on City Owned Bridges with Vehicle Weight Restrictions. Click here to view these locations.

In addition, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has posted weight restrictions on the Alaskan Way Viaduct (State Route - SR 99) on both the Viaduct and at downtown Seattle ramps. Click here to see the WSDOT site for specific information.

Truck Restrictions on Airport Way South Over Argo Railyard

The Seattle Department of Transportation has restricted commercial truck/freight traffic to the curb lane in either direction on Airport Way South over the Argo Railyard near S. Lucile Street beginning in 2006. As a result, SDOT has restricted commercial truck/freight traffic over the bridge, both southbound and northbound to the right lane (curb lane) only at all time for the foreseeable future to delay imposing weight restrictions. Trucks carrying legal loads may continue to travel on the bridge provided they travel in the right lane only. SDOT will reconstruct the bridge approaches during the next two years.

Travel Information and Traffic Camera Images

SDOT maintains the Travelers Information Map, including an innovative travel time estimates for selected arterial routes. The information can be access the data at this website:

http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers/

SDOT installed Traffic Surveillance Cameras in the Duwamish industrial area and the Ballard Interbay Northend industrial area. The cameras have been added to the inventory of city and state cameras that observe traffic incidents and flow conditions. More cameras and Dynamic Message Signs (illuminated signing with changeable messages) are being installed every year as funding is available.

The Duwamish Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) camera images are available to the public and can be accessed at this website:

http://www.seattle.gov/trafficcams/

Hazardous Materials Transportation

Hazardous Materials Restricted in Battery Street and on Viaduct During Peak Travel Periods

SDOT has posted signs to remind drivers that hazardous materials are restricted at all times in the SR 99 Battery Street Tunnel and on the Alaskan Way Viaduct during weekday peak travel periods. The City of Seattle Traffic Code prohibits transport of hazardous materials through the tunnel at all times. Weekday restrictions will continue on the Alaskan Way Viaduct between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

See this link for further information:

Hazardous Materials Ordinance

The Port of Seattle has assigned terminal space to accommodate overnight drayage truck parking. See this site for related information.

Port of Seattle Provides Overnight Truck Parking

Industrial Jobs Initiative - Freight Mobility Improvement Projects

In response to Seattle City Council Resolution 31026 (December 2007), the Seattle Department of Transportation identified a list of 16 City of Seattle capital projects that will improve freight mobility. Each of these projects has a significant share of local (city) funding. Additionally, SDOT is a participant in three freight mobility projects led by other agencies. See the map and list of the 19 freight supportive projects. SDOT has completed several city projects since 2007 to benefit freight movement. See this site to obtain more information on specific SDOT projects:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/siteindex.htm

Freight Mobility Plan

SDOT Freight Mobility Action Plan: 2005 Plan Update

Guiding SDOT efforts to improve freight mobility, SDOT periodically updates the Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan. SDOT prepared the City's first Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan in November 2002. The Plan presents a list of actions to be implemented by the various SDOT divisions. These actions or tasks address administrative and functional actions to be implemented by SDOT to benefit freight pursuant to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan. Actions include railroad grade separations, truck guide signing, street improvements, and ongoing communication with the Seattle freight community via the Seattle Freight Advisory Board and other outreach.

Download 2005 Action Plan

Executive Summary of 2005 Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan

If you would like further information about the Plan, please contact DOT_Freight@seattle.gov

City of Seattle Freight Mobility Actions

SDOT strives to improve city and regional freight mobility in support of the economy and concert with City plans. The following freight actions have been identified for the years listed:

2005
2004
2003

SDOT also published an informational brochure on the City’s freight program. It presents a progress report on major accomplishments in 2005 and 2006, and planned improvements in 2006 and 2007 to keep freight moving. Click here to see the document .

Business Survey

In preparing for anticipated Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program construction, 35 businesses in the Duwamish and Ballard manufacturing and industrial centers were interviewed. These industrial and trucking intensive businesses ranged from 50-1,000 + employees. Survey results are available. For more information on actions being considered by the project team to decrease congestion during construction visit WSDOT's project web site.

Freight Contact – General Information:

Phone - 206-684-8370
Fax - 206-615-1237
DOT_Freight@seattle.gov

Freight Program Mailing Address:
PO Box 34996
Seattle WA 98124-4996

Freight Advisory Board and Freight Mobility Advisory Committee

Seattle Freight Advisory Board

Seattle City Council adopted Resolution Number 31243 in September, 2010 expressing the intent to create a more formal advisory body for freight issues by establishing a Freight Advisory Board. This new Board will advise the Mayor, the City Council, and all departments and offices of the city in the development of a functional and efficient freight system, and on all matters related to freight and the impact that actions by the city may have on the freight environment. The Board replaced the Freight Mobility Advisory Committee upon its formation in January 2011.

Click here to go to Seattle Freight Advisory Board weppage

The City of Seattle established the Freight Mobility Advisory Committee (FMAC) in September 2002 to advise elected officials, SDOT and other agencies on measures to improve freight mobility and safety in Seattle. The Committee served for eight years through December 2010, and is being replaced in 2011 by the new Freight Advisory Board.

See this site to view Committee information:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/fmac.htm

Seattle Major Truck Streets
The Seattle Comprehensive Plan calls for the designation of a network of Major Truck Streets to serve as primary routes for the movement of goods and services. The specific network of Major Truck Streets is defined in Seattle's Transportation Strategic Plan (TSP) and is illustrated on the Major Truck Streets network map . A Major Truck Street is a street classification for an arterial street that accommodates significant freight movement through the City, and to and from major freight traffic generators. Some state routes and highways are also designated as Major Truck Streets on the network map. SDOT uses the designation as an important criterion for street design, traffic management decisions, and pavement design and repair.

Truck Routes
The TSP also contains a street classification map with three classifications of arterials and classifications for local streets. See the TSP to obtain more detail on arterial street definitions and locations. All arterials are considered to be truck routes, which are streets where trucks are allowed and encouraged to travel.

Click here to view the Major Truck Streets Map

SDOT and the Port of Seattle have identified key existing ground transportation routes that provide connections to Port facilities. Two maps are available. The Seaport Highway Connectors map identifies existing routes that provide safe, reliable, efficient and direct access between a Port marine facility and the state highway or interstate system. The Seaport Intermodal Connectors map identifies existing routes that provide safe, reliable, efficient and direct access between Port terminals and the primary railroad intermodal facilities located in Seattle.

These routes have a number of common characteristics: they are on designated arterial streets; have a high frequency of use by freight; provide two-way travel and direct access between Port facilities and the regional highway system; and provide road access to marine facilities. Protecting the capacity and functionality of these facilities for truck traffic is critical to the Port of Seattle's economic functions.