Blake Trask
@btrask.bsky.social
Transportation 🚊🚲🚶🏽♀️🚎. Local Gov’t 🏛️🤝Cities 🛝🏗️🏙️. PNW🏔️🌲🌊. Work for @KccClaudia making our region better. Opinions still mine.
Reposted by Blake Trask
What an inspiring outpouring of support for Harbor Island Studios this week!
Shoutout to the community for jumping into action and to King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for her leadership in supporting film industry jobs and the creative economy.
#KeepFilmInWA
Shoutout to the community for jumping into action and to King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for her leadership in supporting film industry jobs and the creative economy.
#KeepFilmInWA
November 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
What an inspiring outpouring of support for Harbor Island Studios this week!
Shoutout to the community for jumping into action and to King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for her leadership in supporting film industry jobs and the creative economy.
#KeepFilmInWA
Shoutout to the community for jumping into action and to King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for her leadership in supporting film industry jobs and the creative economy.
#KeepFilmInWA
Reposted by Blake Trask
Often, Seattle playgrounds go dark at sunset due to a lack of lighting while the nearby parking lots are well lit
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Often, Seattle playgrounds go dark at sunset due to a lack of lighting while the nearby parking lots are well lit
Reposted by Blake Trask
In light of a race for County Executive that looks to be going down to the wire, I'm compelled to circulate THE Claudia Balducci video.
The Bellevue City Council meeting in 2010 where CB made it clear she doesn't ever shirk away from a fight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuB5...
The Bellevue City Council meeting in 2010 where CB made it clear she doesn't ever shirk away from a fight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuB5...
Bellevue City Council Falls Into Chaos
YouTube video by seatransitblog
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
In light of a race for County Executive that looks to be going down to the wire, I'm compelled to circulate THE Claudia Balducci video.
The Bellevue City Council meeting in 2010 where CB made it clear she doesn't ever shirk away from a fight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuB5...
The Bellevue City Council meeting in 2010 where CB made it clear she doesn't ever shirk away from a fight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuB5...
Reposted by Blake Trask
TBH I'm not sure there would still be a RapidRide program if Claudia Balducci hadn't been on the county council after 2020.
Girmay Zahilay promises to fast track the RapidRide R if elected Executive, which is otherwise currently set to be delivered in 2032 or later.
My guy Girmay doesn’t only take the bus, he wants to work with me to make them faster and more reliable! Grateful for his partnership on this to deliver on better transit service!
October 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
TBH I'm not sure there would still be a RapidRide program if Claudia Balducci hadn't been on the county council after 2020.
Reposted by Blake Trask
Updating my LEGO White House
October 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Updating my LEGO White House
Reposted by Blake Trask
My sincere hope for the Mariners is that every move they make from now to Opening Day is marked by new ambition. You just got your teeth kicked in, but you were a bad pitching change away from your first World Series, and in a year when much of your rotation was banged up. Go get better.
October 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
My sincere hope for the Mariners is that every move they make from now to Opening Day is marked by new ambition. You just got your teeth kicked in, but you were a bad pitching change away from your first World Series, and in a year when much of your rotation was banged up. Go get better.
Reposted by Blake Trask
JUST SAW A FOUR CAR TRAIN ON MERCER ISLAND - !!!! That’s it just had to get it out there so I don’t hyperventilate.
October 21, 2025 at 4:41 AM
JUST SAW A FOUR CAR TRAIN ON MERCER ISLAND - !!!! That’s it just had to get it out there so I don’t hyperventilate.
Reposted by Blake Trask
NEW // How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking
Story by @typewriteralley.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...
Story by @typewriteralley.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...
How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking » The Urbanist
# Since voters approved West Seattle and Ballard Link in 2016, the two projects have been caught in a perfect storm of factors that led to the eye-popping cost estimates that we have today. While the ...
www.theurbanist.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
NEW // How Ballard and West Seattle Light Rail Became a $30 Billion Undertaking
Story by @typewriteralley.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...
Story by @typewriteralley.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org www.theurbanist.org/2025/10/10/h...
Reposted by Blake Trask
Transit safety isn’t optional, it’s a necessity.
This week, CM Balducci led a Transit Safety Report briefing—a blueprint built with operators, safety experts, & community leaders.
Now it's time to turn these recommendations into action.
Watch KING 5’s coverage:
This week, CM Balducci led a Transit Safety Report briefing—a blueprint built with operators, safety experts, & community leaders.
Now it's time to turn these recommendations into action.
Watch KING 5’s coverage:
King County Metro seeks major safety investment after driver's fatal stabbing
King County Metro is pushing for more than $115 million in safety investments over the next two years.
www.king5.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Transit safety isn’t optional, it’s a necessity.
This week, CM Balducci led a Transit Safety Report briefing—a blueprint built with operators, safety experts, & community leaders.
Now it's time to turn these recommendations into action.
Watch KING 5’s coverage:
This week, CM Balducci led a Transit Safety Report briefing—a blueprint built with operators, safety experts, & community leaders.
Now it's time to turn these recommendations into action.
Watch KING 5’s coverage:
Reposted by Blake Trask
🚇 Seattle’s biggest transit challenges mean we need bold thinking to deliver ST3 without breaking the bank. That means reimagining the second downtown tunnel, speeding up delivery, and putting riders first. Read more in @publicola.bsky.social >>>
Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future - PubliCola
By Claudia Balducci It’s no secret that our region needed high-capacity transit yesterday — or better yet, four decades ago.…
publicola.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
🚇 Seattle’s biggest transit challenges mean we need bold thinking to deliver ST3 without breaking the bank. That means reimagining the second downtown tunnel, speeding up delivery, and putting riders first. Read more in @publicola.bsky.social >>>
Reposted by Blake Trask
Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future
In a guest post, Sound Transit board member and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci says it's time to consider light-rail options that don't require digging a second tunnel through downtown Seattle.
publicola.com/2025/10/08/t...
In a guest post, Sound Transit board member and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci says it's time to consider light-rail options that don't require digging a second tunnel through downtown Seattle.
publicola.com/2025/10/08/t...
Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future - PubliCola
By Claudia Balducci It’s no secret that our region needed high-capacity transit yesterday — or better yet, four decades ago.…
publicola.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future
In a guest post, Sound Transit board member and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci says it's time to consider light-rail options that don't require digging a second tunnel through downtown Seattle.
publicola.com/2025/10/08/t...
In a guest post, Sound Transit board member and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci says it's time to consider light-rail options that don't require digging a second tunnel through downtown Seattle.
publicola.com/2025/10/08/t...
Reposted by Blake Trask
“The e-bike market is skyrocketing — and, according to some studies, outpacing electric cars…The question now is: Do officials double down on deadly car-centric urban design, or do they rethink cities to encourage people to ditch four wheels for two?”
Via @grist.org grist.org/transportati...
Via @grist.org grist.org/transportati...
E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously
E-bike sales are booming, providing a clean form of transportation that also improves public health. Yet cities remain committed to cars.
grist.org
October 2, 2025 at 6:45 AM
“The e-bike market is skyrocketing — and, according to some studies, outpacing electric cars…The question now is: Do officials double down on deadly car-centric urban design, or do they rethink cities to encourage people to ditch four wheels for two?”
Via @grist.org grist.org/transportati...
Via @grist.org grist.org/transportati...
Reposted by Blake Trask
Raised crosswalks solve two problems with one intervention: 1) accessibility for people on sidewalks without curb ramps and 2) traffic calming, resulting in fewer injuries and deaths
September 16, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Raised crosswalks solve two problems with one intervention: 1) accessibility for people on sidewalks without curb ramps and 2) traffic calming, resulting in fewer injuries and deaths
Reposted by Blake Trask
"Simple research shows 34 countries or territories have some mail-in voting and—in an amazing coincidence—that list largely mirrors those countries that are freest, wealthiest and most democratic." [Steven Greenhut, @reason.com]
Trump shouldn't take election advice from a Russian dictator
While mail-in voting provides obvious logistical challenges, every serious analysis of mail-in voting results has found it to be secure.
reason.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"Simple research shows 34 countries or territories have some mail-in voting and—in an amazing coincidence—that list largely mirrors those countries that are freest, wealthiest and most democratic." [Steven Greenhut, @reason.com]
Reposted by Blake Trask
This is the biggest story in America right now.
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Grocery prices rise at the fastest pace since 2022 as Trump tariffs bite
On the campaign trail, Trump promised lower grocery prices.
www.axios.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This is the biggest story in America right now.
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Reposted by Blake Trask
Amazing photos from last night's historic floating bridge rail crossing. Courtesy: @sound-transit.bsky.social #soundtransit
September 10, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Amazing photos from last night's historic floating bridge rail crossing. Courtesy: @sound-transit.bsky.social #soundtransit
Two amazing sights, all at one moment:
“At nearly the same moment the railcar first entered the I-90 bridge from the Mercer Island side, 11:49 p.m., a thick shower of sparks streaked high above the park, from an apparent meteor.”
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
“At nearly the same moment the railcar first entered the I-90 bridge from the Mercer Island side, 11:49 p.m., a thick shower of sparks streaked high above the park, from an apparent meteor.”
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
September 9, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Two amazing sights, all at one moment:
“At nearly the same moment the railcar first entered the I-90 bridge from the Mercer Island side, 11:49 p.m., a thick shower of sparks streaked high above the park, from an apparent meteor.”
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
“At nearly the same moment the railcar first entered the I-90 bridge from the Mercer Island side, 11:49 p.m., a thick shower of sparks streaked high above the park, from an apparent meteor.”
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Blake Trask
So beyond exciting to be out watching this historic moment with a crowd of rail fans!
The first East Link train under its own power on the floating bridge!
September 9, 2025 at 7:24 AM
So beyond exciting to be out watching this historic moment with a crowd of rail fans!
Super fun to watch this historic moment.
The first East Link train under its own power on the floating bridge!
September 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Super fun to watch this historic moment.
Reposted by Blake Trask
“As usual, King County Councilmember @kccclaudia.bsky.social came with the most highly-detailed suggestions…”
Sound Transit’s light rail expansion plans could cost up to 25% more than expected. This week, board members began brainstorming on how to bring down costs.
Nix the new tunnel? Sound Transit looks for big moves to save billions
Sound Transit’s light rail expansion plans could cost up to 25% more than expected. This week, board members began brainstorming on how to bring down costs.
www.kuow.org
September 8, 2025 at 9:20 PM
“As usual, King County Councilmember @kccclaudia.bsky.social came with the most highly-detailed suggestions…”
100% a deserved celebration but:
“…the dropped elements that didn’t make it to the point of a ribbon-cutting are a reminder that much work remains to create a people-focused downtown. That more complete metamorphosis this will take bold leadership from those steering Seattle into the future.”
“…the dropped elements that didn’t make it to the point of a ribbon-cutting are a reminder that much work remains to create a people-focused downtown. That more complete metamorphosis this will take bold leadership from those steering Seattle into the future.”
Happy Waterfront Park grand opening day, Seattle.
I wrote about some of the stuff considered for the new waterfront that didn't make it across the finish line today.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/09/06/s...
I wrote about some of the stuff considered for the new waterfront that didn't make it across the finish line today.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/09/06/s...
The Seattle Waterfront Park Amenities That Never Crossed the Finish Line » The Urbanist
# While the primary debate over the remade Seattle waterfront has focused on the size of Alaskan Way, a whole slate of potential public space improvements also ended up on the cutting room floor. Thos...
www.theurbanist.org
September 6, 2025 at 6:08 PM
100% a deserved celebration but:
“…the dropped elements that didn’t make it to the point of a ribbon-cutting are a reminder that much work remains to create a people-focused downtown. That more complete metamorphosis this will take bold leadership from those steering Seattle into the future.”
“…the dropped elements that didn’t make it to the point of a ribbon-cutting are a reminder that much work remains to create a people-focused downtown. That more complete metamorphosis this will take bold leadership from those steering Seattle into the future.”
Reposted by Blake Trask
Apocalypse Now, famously a movie about how war is awesome and always turns out well
September 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Apocalypse Now, famously a movie about how war is awesome and always turns out well
Reposted by Blake Trask
That’s why we owe it to our region to invent a Sound Transit future that’s affordable, reliable & boldly reimagined. Let's review the option of building a second downtown tunnel, explore creative ways to break up megaprojects into manageable portions & deliver service that works for riders.
Seattle isn't perfect, but it is one of the best places to live car-free and car-light in the U.S. We need to build on this momentum.
“In 2023, there were a record 74,100 carless households, representing 20% of all Seattle households. That’s up from 53,200, or 16% of households, in 2017.”
September 5, 2025 at 1:01 AM
That’s why we owe it to our region to invent a Sound Transit future that’s affordable, reliable & boldly reimagined. Let's review the option of building a second downtown tunnel, explore creative ways to break up megaprojects into manageable portions & deliver service that works for riders.
Reposted by Blake Trask
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
September 4, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...