Week of August 3, 2009 Keeping crews and customers cool when the temperatures soar
Crews working on the Union Hill Road culvert replacement project had some warm working conditions last week. | Hopefully, last week’s record heat wave is history for the summer of 2009, and we can all bask in more temperate temperatures until the rainy season resumes.Until that time arrives, King County Department of Transportation crews and staff are taking care to keep themselves and customers safe in the heat. For Metro Transit, that means making sure bus drivers and supervisors are aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke both in themselves and their passengers. Only about one-third of Metro buses are air conditioned, and even the buses with AC warm up quickly when they are crowded and doors are opening frequently. Metro began buying air conditioned buses in 2000. Since that time, it has purchased 408 new buses with air conditioning and it’s now a standard feature ordered with all new buses. When you’re on the bus in hot weather, the best way for the air conditioning to be effective is to leave the windows closed. If your bus is not air conditioned, then do open the side windows. There is a simple latch at the top of each window that allows the windows to tilt open. Multiple windows open on either side of the bus, and from front to back, to provide air circulation.
Working with hot materials raises the temperature for paving crews. | Bus drivers are asked to watch their passengers for signs of overheating, and to call for medical attention when necessary. They are also cautioned to take care of themselves by always carrying a water bottle onboard the bus, and taking advantage of the dashboard fan and vent while driving, along with cooling down on rest breaks.Bus drivers are also allowed to wear shorts as part of their uniform, something that is not usually an option for Road Services Division crews out in the field. “Most of the clothing our crews wear is protective, and the long pants, hard hats and vests get very warm in weather like we had last week,” said Maintenance Superintendent Tony Ledbetter. Ledbetter said the paving crews have one of the hottest jobs, no matter what the thermometer is registering because of the heated materials they are working with and because of the clothing they wear to protect themselves from burns. Mechanics also have warm working conditions whether they are in the shop or out in the field climbing on top of a hot engine. During hot weather, supervisors make sure the flaggers directing traffic take more breaks to get out of the sun. He said some of the most comfortable folks are those working in streams or around water. Both Metro and Road supervisors pay close attention to new safety rules and guidelines for staff working in extreme weather conditions. In hot weather, this includes providing adequate water and shade, rest breaks, and watching for signs of heat-related illness – good practices for anyone to follow when the weather heats up.
Last winter, 415th Way/Avenue Southeast was closed 15 times due to localized flooding. | King County is exploring ways to protect roadways during flooding on Clough Creek south of North Bend, and is inviting people to attend one of two community discussions to find out more.
Clough Creek crosses 415th Avenue/Way Southeast in several locations south of Interstate 90 near the Uplands neighborhood. During the past winter, the road was closed 15 days due to flooding. Repairs to the roadway over the past three winter seasons have totaled more than $150,000.
The King County Road Services Division would like to build a short span bridge on 415th Way to allow more water to flow under the roadway. If funding is found for the project, the earliest it could be built is the summer of 2010. The division is hosting community discussion meetings on Aug. 11 and 13.
In places like Paris, Copenhagen, and Washington, D.C., people are connecting with bike-sharing systems to change the way they live by using them as a complement to rail and bus service. If you’ve ever wondered how it works, you can learn more at the King County Bike Share Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Seattle and Wednesday, Aug. 12 in Redmond.These events are being sponsored by King County, the City of Seattle, Vulcan Real Estate, the City of Redmond, Redmond Town Center, Cascade Bicycle Club, REI, and Whole Foods. Three vendors will be on hand to display their newest bike-share systems, including bikes and stations, and allow you to try out one of the hottest trends in personal mobility. So bring your helmet, try out a bike, and learn more about bike sharing. For more information about the Bike Share Expo, call (206) 263-6230.
The bulk of the Seafair events may be over, but summer fun is still affecting transit service across the county this coming weekend and beyond. Two of the biggest impacts to Metro Transit service this weekend will be in Auburn and the Rainier Valley. From Friday through Sunday, the Auburn Good Ol’ Days festival will close streets and result in detours for several Metro routes serving downtown Auburn. On Saturday, Rainier Boulevard in Seattle will be closed from South Alaska Street to South Orcas Street for the Rainier Heritage Festival. Metro’s Route 7 will be rerouted west to MLK Way South from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. And, the Mariners return to town on Friday night for a 10-game home stand. There are no weekday games in that stretch, but bouts against the White Sox and Yankees should attract big crowds and lots of traffic near Safeco Field through Sunday, Aug. 16. Check Metro Online for information about service disruptions, or for help in traveling by bus to these events.
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