Freight Mobility Program

Freight Mobility Program

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 Mobility Advisory Committee

Seattle Freight Mobility Program

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 and is anticipated to be completed within five years. 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.

Port of Seattle Provides Overnight Truck Parking

Truck Permits:

Over-Legal Vehicles and Loads, Travel Directions, and Downtown Traffic Control Zone Regulations - Call: (206) 684-5086
All over-legal loads traveling within the City of Seattle are required to obtain a special permit. See above link and phone number for more information.

FREIGHT INFORMATION:

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

• SDOT has 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.

• In preparing for Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement 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 now available. For more information on actions being considered by the project team to decrease congestion during construction visit WSDOT's project web site.

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 has posted weight restrictions on the Alaskan Way Viaduct (Look for 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 (SDOT) has restricted commercial truck/freight traffic to the curb lane in either direction on Airport Way South over the Argo Railyard near S. Lucille Street beginning May 22, 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.

New Traffic Cameras On-Line

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 are being installed in 2009.

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

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has posted signs to remind drivers that hazardous materials are restricted at all times in the 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. SDOT has posted warning signs.

See these links for further information:
Notification Letter, May 2006
Hazardous Materials Ordinance

Seattle Freight Mobility Projects

SDOT has several projects underway to improve freight mobility. Listed below are the project summaries for nine current projects. See the SDOT project website for more project information.

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

Spokane Street Viaduct Widening and Loop Ramp
Duwamish Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
ITS Plan Implementation
Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Program - South Segment
Mercer Corridor Project
Airport Way over Argo Bridge Rehabilitation
East Duwamish Waterway Bridge Rehabilitation
East Marginal Way at South Horton Street Bridge Rehabilitation
Jose Rizal Bridge Rehabilitation
Ballard Bascule Bridge Seismic Retrofit
Albro Bridge over Airport Way Seismic Retrofit
1st Ave S 2008 Paving Contract 1 (Dearborn-Stacy, Spokane-E Marginal)
15th Avenue and Elliott Avenue 2008 Paving
Duwamish Truck Mobility Improvement Program
14th Avenue South Street Improvements
Greenwood Ave North Street Improvements

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

Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee

Freight Mobility Plan

SDOT Freight Mobility Action Plan: 2005 Plan Update

Guiding SDOT efforts to improve freight mobility, SDOT updates the Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan annually. 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 carried out 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 Mobility Advisory Committee.

Download 2005 Action Plan

Executive Summary of 2005 Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan

In order to guide SDOT efforts to improve freight mobility, SDOT prepared the City's first Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan in November 2002. The Plan presented a list of actions to be implemented by the various SDOT divisions. These actions or tasks addressed the anticipated administrative and functional actions to be carried out by the respective SDOT divisions to benefit freight pursuant to city policy contained in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan. Actions included railroad grade separations, truck guide signing, street improvements for the benefit of trucks and other modes, and ongoing communication with the Seattle freight community via the Seattle Freight Mobility Advisory Committee and other outreach. (Follow this link to see the 2002 version of the Plan.)

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

Thank you for your interest in the Seattle Freight Mobility Program.

Freight Contact Information:
Phone - 206-684-3649
Fax - 206-684-3238
sdotfreight@seattle.gov

Mailing Address:
PO Box 34996
Seattle WA 98124-4996

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 good 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

Seaport Connectors
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.

Click here to view the Seaport Highway Connectors Map

Click here to view the Seaport Intermodal Connectors Map

Freight Data