Nick Deshais
@nickdeshais.bsky.social
Seattle Times staff writer covering transportation.
Ferries, bikes, pedestrians, buses, trains and oh yeah cars too.
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/nicholas-deshais/
Ferries, bikes, pedestrians, buses, trains and oh yeah cars too.
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/nicholas-deshais/
The Seattle Department of Transportation has concluded it will likely need to return more than $4 million to the federal government after an internal review raised issues with how a 2017 grant from the Federal Highway Administration was executed.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Seattle transportation department likely to return $4M to feds
It’s not the first time a city project has been criticized by the federal government over its use of grants, or that the city has had to return grant funds.
www.seattletimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The Seattle Department of Transportation has concluded it will likely need to return more than $4 million to the federal government after an internal review raised issues with how a 2017 grant from the Federal Highway Administration was executed.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
"Since 2023, however, something new has topped the list: traffic safety."
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Seattle’s ‘surprising’ top public-safety concern, according to an annual survey
Seattle University's annual survey on public safety, initiated in 2015, shows how local perceptions of crime, safety and policing have shifted.
www.seattletimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"Since 2023, however, something new has topped the list: traffic safety."
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
How does a floating bridge handle a train going over it? One word: Spaghetti.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIm...
First in the world: How Sound Transit built light rail on a floating bridge
YouTube video by Sound Transit
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
How does a floating bridge handle a train going over it? One word: Spaghetti.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIm...
In 2007, the "idea of free transit — it was visionary, it was lovely, it was beguiling.” And back then “it was completely impractical.”
What about now?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
What about now?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Can Faster Buses Really Be Free?
An analysis of the possible promise and fundamental tension in one of Zohran Mamdani’s big plans for New York.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:59 PM
In 2007, the "idea of free transit — it was visionary, it was lovely, it was beguiling.” And back then “it was completely impractical.”
What about now?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
What about now?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
While freight truck drivers and bike riders don’t always make the best of road friends, East Marginal Way in Seattle’s industrial Sodo district will host that unlikely fellowship, thanks to a year and a half of construction and $72 million.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Seattle’s strongest street and one of its best new bikeways officially open
Seattle's strongest street and one of its best new bikeways officially open, as the city wraps up a $72 million project on East Marginal Way.
www.seattletimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
While freight truck drivers and bike riders don’t always make the best of road friends, East Marginal Way in Seattle’s industrial Sodo district will host that unlikely fellowship, thanks to a year and a half of construction and $72 million.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
After a small stretch of a never-used bus lane was saved on Capitol Hill, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck said this week she’d push to expand transit-only lanes on three of the city’s busiest streets.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Seattle advocates demand ‘better bus lanes’ on Aurora, Rainier and Denny
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck said the city should expand transit-only lanes on three of the busiest streets. to make buses more reliable
www.seattletimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
After a small stretch of a never-used bus lane was saved on Capitol Hill, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck said this week she’d push to expand transit-only lanes on three of the city’s busiest streets.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Mayor Bruce Harrell gets to work at City Hall by car. His challenger Katie Wilson rides the bus.
What else separates Seattle's mayoral candidates? Read on!
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
What else separates Seattle's mayoral candidates? Read on!
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Seattle mayoral candidates Harrell, Wilson take different roads to address transportation issues
Mayor Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson have similar visions on transportation issues. But in a congested city, small differences can add up.
www.seattletimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Mayor Bruce Harrell gets to work at City Hall by car. His challenger Katie Wilson rides the bus.
What else separates Seattle's mayoral candidates? Read on!
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
What else separates Seattle's mayoral candidates? Read on!
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
While drivers flooded Seattle's streets to make their way around the region's closed highways, a group of people advocated for lidding Interstate 5 to hide the highway and dampen the noise.
As Seattle drivers deal with I-5 closure, some say it’s time to cap it
While drivers flooded Seattle's streets to make their way around the region's closed highways, a group of people advocated for lidding Interstate 5 to hide the highway and dampen the noise.
www.seattletimes.com
August 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
While drivers flooded Seattle's streets to make their way around the region's closed highways, a group of people advocated for lidding Interstate 5 to hide the highway and dampen the noise.
Reposted by Nick Deshais
#OnThisDay in 1970, Jimi Hendrix played Sicks' Stadium, his final Seattle show. historylink.org/File/21126
July 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#OnThisDay in 1970, Jimi Hendrix played Sicks' Stadium, his final Seattle show. historylink.org/File/21126
Reposted by Nick Deshais
We are seeing traffic building more, especially before the closure points on I-405, & along detour routes in Kirkland & Renton.
-3 mile backup on NB I-405 in Renton
-1.5 mile backup on SB I-405 in Kirkland
Expect very heavy traffic on detour routes & city streets. Plan ahead!
-3 mile backup on NB I-405 in Renton
-1.5 mile backup on SB I-405 in Kirkland
Expect very heavy traffic on detour routes & city streets. Plan ahead!
July 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
We are seeing traffic building more, especially before the closure points on I-405, & along detour routes in Kirkland & Renton.
-3 mile backup on NB I-405 in Renton
-1.5 mile backup on SB I-405 in Kirkland
Expect very heavy traffic on detour routes & city streets. Plan ahead!
-3 mile backup on NB I-405 in Renton
-1.5 mile backup on SB I-405 in Kirkland
Expect very heavy traffic on detour routes & city streets. Plan ahead!
Reposted by Nick Deshais
As more journalists are driven out of their jobs, I keep hearing this drumbeat of "it's ok -- they can start their own newsletter or publication." Some can. But becoming your own business is a huge job, and will eliminate many talented reporters from the public sphere. Here's why. (1/5)
July 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
As more journalists are driven out of their jobs, I keep hearing this drumbeat of "it's ok -- they can start their own newsletter or publication." Some can. But becoming your own business is a huge job, and will eliminate many talented reporters from the public sphere. Here's why. (1/5)
At some point in the not too distant future, someone will bike from Alki Beach in West Seattle, by the industrial monoliths on Harbor Island and through the hullabaloo of downtown, all the way to Smith Cove, without once interacting with traffic.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Bike path on Seattle waterfront is missing piece to city puzzle
Seattle's revamped waterfront includes a 1.2-mile stretch of safe, protected bicycle lanes, a key link in the city's growing bike network.
www.seattletimes.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
At some point in the not too distant future, someone will bike from Alki Beach in West Seattle, by the industrial monoliths on Harbor Island and through the hullabaloo of downtown, all the way to Smith Cove, without once interacting with traffic.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
WA gas taxes go up this week, largely to cover soaring construction costs of freeways already begun. A concise history by @nickdeshais.bsky.social: www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
WA's gas tax goes up for the 21st time Tuesday, and there's no real alternative
Lawmakers considered other ways to fund the state's megaprojects, highway maintenance and ferries, but stuck with the gas tax because of its low overhead.
www.seattletimes.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
WA gas taxes go up this week, largely to cover soaring construction costs of freeways already begun. A concise history by @nickdeshais.bsky.social: www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
Multnomah County Archives have a high-quality scan of the 1943 trolley map found on the reverse of a map of Vanport that was given to residents of that ill-fated city. It's a one-color version of the full-color map that was issued in May of that year.
multco.access.preservica.com/uncategorize...
multco.access.preservica.com/uncategorize...
June 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Multnomah County Archives have a high-quality scan of the 1943 trolley map found on the reverse of a map of Vanport that was given to residents of that ill-fated city. It's a one-color version of the full-color map that was issued in May of that year.
multco.access.preservica.com/uncategorize...
multco.access.preservica.com/uncategorize...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
After over a year of neglect, I finally updated my Seattle Transit Map! September will mark the tenth anniversary of the map. The website itself needs work but the new layer is now online. seattletransitmap.com/app/
June 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
After over a year of neglect, I finally updated my Seattle Transit Map! September will mark the tenth anniversary of the map. The website itself needs work but the new layer is now online. seattletransitmap.com/app/
Reposted by Nick Deshais
30 minutes in 30 seconds! Here is the timelapse from setting the bow truss for the Children of the Sun Trail pedestrian bridge across the Spokane River earlier today. It took two cranes to set the 300,000-pound steel structure.
June 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
30 minutes in 30 seconds! Here is the timelapse from setting the bow truss for the Children of the Sun Trail pedestrian bridge across the Spokane River earlier today. It took two cranes to set the 300,000-pound steel structure.
When work begins next month on Interstate 5 for some long-awaited repairs and maintenance, lanes will be closed, speed limits lowered and more than one driver will look for a different, faster and more convenient route through North Seattle.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
I-5 project will spark changes along Aurora Avenue
The bus-only lanes on Aurora Avenue North will be in effect all day, every day as the state works on Interstate 5 over the next few years.
www.seattletimes.com
May 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
When work begins next month on Interstate 5 for some long-awaited repairs and maintenance, lanes will be closed, speed limits lowered and more than one driver will look for a different, faster and more convenient route through North Seattle.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
The controversial bill would, if approved, represent one of the most significant changes to housing density policy in Seattle in at least the last decade.
Seattle denser housing plan moves a step forward
The controversial bill would, if approved, represent one of the most significant changes to housing density policy in Seattle in at least the last decade.
www.seattletimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The controversial bill would, if approved, represent one of the most significant changes to housing density policy in Seattle in at least the last decade.
Floating bridge sighting on Lake Washington.
May 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Floating bridge sighting on Lake Washington.
Reposted by Nick Deshais
NEW: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is on a quest to bring back the Blue Dogs-
The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?
For @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?
For @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is on a quest to bring back the Blue Dogs
The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?
www.cascadepbs.org
May 20, 2025 at 1:37 PM
NEW: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is on a quest to bring back the Blue Dogs-
The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?
For @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?
For @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
"On Monday morning, drivers still drove through, despite two small, A-frame signs declaring the street closed just feet from where the temporary memorial once stood."
Street closure at Seattle middle school following death of student
The Seattle Department of Transportation closed a street outside of the Central District's Washington Middle School to most traffic.
www.seattletimes.com
May 20, 2025 at 7:04 PM
"On Monday morning, drivers still drove through, despite two small, A-frame signs declaring the street closed just feet from where the temporary memorial once stood."
Early 2026.
When thousands of eager riders turned out to celebrate the 2 Line opening to Downtown Redmond, one question arose more than any other: “Now when will it connect to Seattle?” Head to The Platform for an update on this highly anticipated regional connection: ow.ly/Yvab50VVZ0R
May 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Early 2026.
Following the death of a 12-year-old student killed by an unattended SUV in front of Washington Middle School in March, the Seattle Department of Transportation has blocked a street in front of the Central District school.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Street closure at Seattle middle school following death of student
The Seattle Department of Transportation closed a street outside of the Central District's Washington Middle School to most traffic.
www.seattletimes.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Following the death of a 12-year-old student killed by an unattended SUV in front of Washington Middle School in March, the Seattle Department of Transportation has blocked a street in front of the Central District school.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Nick Deshais
Get your hiking news!
King County hikers can soon access trails via Trailhead Direct, learn about changes to the North Cascades National Park permit system, read about scan and pay options for Forest Service rec sites and more 🏔️
King County hikers can soon access trails via Trailhead Direct, learn about changes to the North Cascades National Park permit system, read about scan and pay options for Forest Service rec sites and more 🏔️
Hiker Headlines: Trailhead Direct, new light rail station connects to trails, print North Cascades permits at home
Trailhead Direct is back for 2025! King County Parks has opened two new connector trails at one of the new Sound Transit Light Rail stations. North Cascades National Park is allowing most advance back...
www.wta.org
May 15, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Get your hiking news!
King County hikers can soon access trails via Trailhead Direct, learn about changes to the North Cascades National Park permit system, read about scan and pay options for Forest Service rec sites and more 🏔️
King County hikers can soon access trails via Trailhead Direct, learn about changes to the North Cascades National Park permit system, read about scan and pay options for Forest Service rec sites and more 🏔️