Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project Seattle, Washington SEPA Checklist December 8, 2020 Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project SEPA Checklist Page 2 of 24 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (SEPA) ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST A. BACKGROUND 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project 2. Name of applicant: Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Sara Zora, Project Manager Seattle Department of Transportation Project Development Division 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800 P.O. Box 34996 Seattle, WA 98124 206-733-9973 4. Date checklist prepared: December 12, 2020 5. Agency requesting checklist: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Access restrictions on the Spokane St Swing Bridge began in April 2020, shortly after the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge was closed due to safety concerns on March 23, 2020. These access restrictions were enforced by the Seattle Police Department until January 11, 2021, and since then by an automated photo enforcement system. 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. There are concurrent project activities to strengthen the Spokane St Swing Bridge, construct a new telecommunications system, and replace the control systems. 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. A capacity analysis and traffic study were completed for the project in December 2020. Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project SEPA Checklist Page 3 of 24 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. There are concurrent project activities to strengthen the bridge, construct a new telecommunications system, and replace the control systems that require separate government approvals. There is also a concurrent project to repair the adjacent West Seattle High-Rise Bridge and construct a quiet zone at Terminal 5. 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. None. 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. SDOT has been operating under the State of an Emergency declaration as of July 2020, to enact an access policy for the Spokane St Swing Bridge to protect the integrity of the transportation network while the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge is closed to motorists. The Spokane St Swing Bridge is only one lane in each direction (two total lanes) and is unable to accommodate traffic from the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge without resulting in substantial congestion and delay for priority access. Since the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge closed in March 2020, priority access to the Spokane St Swing Bridge has been restricted to only emergency vehicles, heavy freight (10,000 gross vehicle weight rating [GVWR]), transit, including vanpools, employer shuttles, school buses, and a small number of additional users including West Seattle businesses, maritime/industrial businesses, and government vehicles. Non-authorized users are restricted in both directions on the bridge between 5 AM and 9 PM daily, but are allowed overnight use between 9 PM and 5 AM. People walking, rolling, using a scooter, or bicycling can continue to use the trail facility on the south side of the Spokane St Swing Bridge. SDOT installed detour signs to direct general purpose traffic, including ride-sharing vehicles and motorcycles, and restrictions were enforced by the Seattle Police Department in the AM and PM peak hours before implementing the automated enforcement system. On September 29, 2020, the City Council approved automated enforcement for the Spokane St Swing Bridge to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety through Ordinance 119897. This amended Sections 11.31.090 and 11.50.570 of the Seattle Municipal Code. In Q1 2021, SDOT transitioned to the automated photo enforcement system, where the same approved user groups have opted-in and registered their license plates with SDOT. Unauthorized vehicles are subject to a $75 citation for every trip across the bridge. The registered owner of an unauthorized vehicle will receive a notice of infraction in the mail within 14 days. The City systems and processes for photo enforcement abide by law and best practices when it comes to personal privacy and data security and are prohibited from being used for any other law enforcement action. By automating the system, the City can eliminate the use of police officers on-site. SDOT can also use photo enforcement to better align travel demand to maximize efficiency of the limited Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project SEPA Checklist Page 4 of 24 roadway. A similar photo technology is already used by the City to promote safety at intersections by citing people running red lights and speeding in school zones. The state Legislature approved HB 1793 in 2020 to allow the cameras for limited new uses and the City currently uses the photo technology to promote safety at intersections and in school zones. Under HB 1793, 50 percent of ticket revenues are remitted to the state. The remaining revenues must be used to cover the cost of installing, operating, and maintaining the cameras. Remaining funds may be used by the City to support improvements to transportation that support equitable access and mobility for persons with disabilities. SDOT has been working with a subcommittee since September 2020 to inform the Spokane St Swing Bridge access policy. This subcommittee currently consists of seven members who provide perspectives across West Seattle businesses, the maritime industry, and healthcare workers/patients. Additional user interest groups may be identified in the coming months. SDOT is also coordinating the access policy with the opening of Terminal 5 in Spring 2021 when the number of trucks and longshoremen using the Spokane St Swing Bridge will increase. 12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. The proposal concerns access to the Spokane St Swing Bridge between SODO and West Seattle (see vicinity map). Township 23N, Range 3E, Section 13 and Township 24N, Range 4E, Section 18. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 1. Earth a. General description of the site: [Check the applicable boxes] Flat Rolling Hilly Steep Slopes Mountainous Other: b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? There are steep slopes at the abutments of the bridge on the west side and along the waterway below. Slopes below the bridge are less than 5 percent and slope toward the Duwamish Waterway. Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project SEPA Checklist Page 5 of 24 c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any agricultural land of long-term commercial significance and whether the proposal results in removing any of these soils. Soils surrounding the bridge are composed of dredged material used as fill including gravelly loamy sand. Agricultural lands are not located near the project. There would be no ground disturbance. d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so, describe. The project is located in a potential liquefaction area underneath historic fill. There are no known surface indications of instability. e. Describe the purpose, type, total area, and approximate quantities and total affected area of any filling, excavation, and grading proposed. Indicate the source of fill. The project would not require ground disturbance. f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe. No. g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? The project would not increase impervious surfaces on the bridge. h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: None. 2. Air a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal during construction, operation, and maintenance when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate quantities if known. The project has restricted traffic on the bridge easing congestion and associated air emissions. The traffic control plan has rerouted general purpose vehicles to alternative routes. b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so, generally describe. There are no off-site sources of emissions or odor that would affect the project. Spokane St Swing Bridge Access Project SEPA Checklist Page 6 of 24 c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any: No impacts to air so no measures proposed. 3. Water a. Surface: 1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into.