The Answer To Downtown Seattle's Street Congestion---Alternating Odd & Even License Plate Numbers To Control & Regulate Daily Access

During the past months, not once have I heard anyone, either government or media, speak to what I think is an obvious solution to DT Seattle's crowded streets---limiting cars into the greater downtown core by requiring alternate day entry from our very interconnected King, Snohomish and Pierce tri-counties. While requiring cooperation from municipal, county and state government, the payoff would be less prime-time congestion and more car pooling, a win-win for all concerned. This is how it could work.

On a Washington State level, all licensed non-commercial vehicles in the three-county area would be issued identifying stickers for the license plates. This is important because it would be unrealistic to tag all state residents.  The sole purpose of requiring odd and even alternate day entry is to limit commuter entry from say, a twelve hour period of 5 AM to 5 PM into an area bounded by Mercer Street to the north, I-5 to the east, Yesler Way to the south and the Puget Sound to the west.  Before, and after these hours, there would be unlimited entry.  Commercial and delivery vehicles, including taxis, would be exempt.  Also, all vehicles originating from other Washington counties and states and Canadian provinces would also be exempted.  Operational fees in theory could be charged but free would be better, gaining more ready cooperation.  Car and van pools would be encouraged, along with ample free parking provided.

The penalty for violators, along with enforcement mechanisms, is something to be carefully negotiated.  I would recommend a substantial fine but eliminate all towing in this very too tow-happy city, this potential policy instead looked upon as a helpful, non-punitive solution designed to assist, not harm our tri-county area residents.

Presented well, I could see everyone embracing what is only a commonsense approach to a vexing problem, because something must be done before DT Seattle becomes another Manhattan, non-stop traffic jams becoming our daily reality, though I do believe we have time before the worse occurs.  From start to finish I see this policy taking 12-18 months to implement, meaning by mid-2021 we could see traffic flowing upon DT Seattle streets in a more or less normal fashion.  By that time, much of the light-rail link expansion will be completed, hopefully media and government encouragement helping seal public approval.

While some will object to this approach, to do nothing is not optional.  And tolling rush-hour congestion, it seems, is not a viable option either, as London, England's Trafalgar Square now as crowded as it was before implementing tolling.  Going that route, like London, what you will get is people willing to pay for but not limiting personal access.

Seattle has to limit prime-time vehicle access to its downtown center.  There is no alternative.  This has to occur.  And the sooner the better, local topography dictating what can be done or not, Seattle built upon the Cascade Mountain Range foothills descending to the salty Salish Sea.

Bad place to build a city, choosing this series of big hills hemmed in by two large bodies of water, Tacoma once a more logical choice but Seattle, for me, is the home for infamous and dumbbell decisions.  I have been here more or less since 1973, and have personally witnessed countless poor municipal decisions impacting us all.  Why be sensible when chaos far more entertaining?  Hey! Charlie Royer, where are you when we need you?!