|
Week of Apr. 14, 2008
It’s easy being green  Watch the video
King County's Green Festival pavilion. | It was the greenest celebration of the year in King County so far, as the Green Festival made its first-ever trip to Seattle. The festival brought together more than 150 speakers, 350 local and national green businesses, dozens of community groups, along with the public to share tips on reducing our carbon footprint on several fronts.King County is a proud sponsor of the festival and hosted its own pavilion that featured exhibits from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks . Thousands of festivalgoers visited the tables inside King County’s pavilion to learn more from one of the greenest counties in the nation, about how to green-up commutes, homes and gardens, including environmental volunteer opportunities. Among the more popular “hands-on” exhibits were examples of porous concrete and asphalt – just two green ideas to consider in planning that next home improvement project. Many festivalgoers were intrigued by how rain can flow through solid surfaces like concrete sidewalks and asphalt roadway to reduce stormwater runoff. “One of the key items we're looking at is incorporating porous concrete and asphalt and low-impact development techniques for stormwater management,” said Jim Sussex, an engineer with the King County Road Services Division. Sussex had some examples of porous concrete and asphalt at the festival. “A lot of people have sort of heard of it, some are telling me they just haven't had a chance to see it, touch it, feel what it looks like,” he said. “They seem to be interested in using it on some of their own personal landscaping projects.”
Festivalgoers experience porous concrete at the Green Festival. | King County Metro Transit was also showing off how county residents can take advantage of its services to get a greener commute. Hundreds of people visited the Metro table inside the pavilion, where they could learn how to use Metro’s Trip Planner to plan their next bus ride. Information was also available on carpooling, vanpooling, and car sharing.On top of exploring their commuting options, attendees heard King County Transportation Project Manager Melody Bennett speak about how they can conserve fuel in their car. “Certain things actually have proven to be effective, such as driving within the speed limit. Who would have thought it?” said Bennett. “Also, not doing jackrabbit starts and sudden stops can cut gas consumption. Keeping your car properly maintained, and of course the capstone is not idling, switching your car off when you're not using your vehicle. If you have to idle for more than 30 seconds, switch off the vehicle, tremendous fuel savings, up to 30 percent fuel savings if we combine some of these tips.” All great tips for a region where transportation continues to be the single largest source of carbon emissions. The Green Festival will also be making stops in Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco throughout 2008.
REMINDER: Mariners have day game on Tuesday 
The Seattle Mariners will close out their home series against the Kansas City Royals with a day game on Tuesday, April 15. The game starts at 3:40 p.m., and could result in traffic congestion when it is over. Also, bus passengers who are traveling through the downtown area in the early evening on Tuesday may experience some reroutes and delays in transit service. Fans using Metro service to and from the game are reminded there will be no special service in the afternoon to Safeco Field, because there is plenty of regular Metro bus service in the area at that time. After the game, there is special service to 13 outlying park-and-ride lots. The fare for special buses is $3 each way. See Metro Online for all the Mariners service details. |
|
Pony up for trips to Emerald Downs For the next two weekends – April 19-20 and April 26-27 – Metro Transit will provide special service to horse racing at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Metro’s Pony Express bus leaves from Second Avenue and Lenora Street in Seattle at 12:47 p.m. - makes a few more stops downtown - and is at the racetrack by 1:30 p.m. The return trip leaves 15 minutes after the last race. The fare is $2 cash, one-way only. Metro’s Visitor Pass is accepted on the Pony Express, all other passes and transfers are not accepted or issued by the Pony Express at any time. See Metro Online for more details.
King County hosts Klahanie pedestrian safety meeting King County’s Road Services Division is hosting a drop-in open house about potential pedestrian safety improvements on Klahanie Drive Southeast/Southeast Klahanie Boulevard. The open house will be held Tuesday, April 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Challenger Elementary School, 25200 SE Klahanie Blvd., Issaquah. The first neighborhoods in Klahanie, a planned community of 11,000 residents, were built more than 20 years ago. The county is looking to update some of the existing crosswalks on the main thoroughfare through the community, and would like input from residents on the ideas and how to prioritize projects. | Subscribe to DOT DashSign-up to receive an e-mail text version of "Transportation Today," along with other significant DOT news by sending an e-mail to us with subscribe King County DOT Dash in the subject line.
|
