New Yakima-Ellensburg transit service quickly becoming the talk of two towns

Passengers prepare to board the Yakima-Ellensburg
 Commuter, a new transit service connecting the two cities.
by guest blogger Jef Lucero

One rider is heading to the hospital for her daily outpatient appointment, thankful that her husband doesn’t have to take time off from work to drive her there. Another is a soldier in the 53rd Ordnance Company, on his way to the training and firing center just outside Selah. Behind him sit two students - one enrolled at Perry Technical College, the other at Yakima Valley Community College, both making their way home after class. The return trip will deliver three students and two professors to the Central Washington University campus. And there’s the rider that just booked a dialysis appointment - he’d been waitlisted at his regular doctor’s office in Ellensburg, but can get in today at a Yakima clinic.

These are just a few of the people enjoying a new option that wasn’t available a month ago, thanks to a brand new commuter transit service between Yakima and Ellensburg. The service is fast becoming a reliable option, meeting the needs of many in two communities not previously connected by public transportation.

On November 25, Yakima Transit and HopeSource unveiled the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter, filling an essential transportation need for both communities. Making eight round trips daily, the service makes five stops between the Yakima airport and the Central Washington campus. According to Yakima Transit Manager Ken Mehin, students and faculty at the three colleges between the two cities favor the morning and late afternoon runs; shoppers shuttling between towns prefer the midday service.

But, Mehin adds, ride along on a given day and you’re likely to share the trip with a number of different people on their way to a wide range of personal and professional business. "As word has spread of the service, the community hasn’t just taken notice," says Mehin, "they’ve responded." In fact, ridership has gone up so fast that Yakima Transit will purchase new, larger vehicles in early 2012 to accommodate the increasing demand.

Because Yakima Transit’s authority extends just past its city limits, so too does its service area. But a strong public-private partnership with HopeSource allowed the idea to move forward. With HopeSource providing drivers and route operation and Yakima Transit providing the vehicles - and with the help of local, state and federal grant funding and investments - the service took flight. Or more accurately, it took to the road.

That level of partnership is one of the things that makes this endeavor so distinct, says HopeSource project manager Geoff Crump. The broad, cooperative approach fostered by a local transit agency and a non-profit organization has caught on fast. “We’re hearing from our drivers almost every day about passengers saying how grateful they are for this service. It means a lot to both of these communities.”

WSDOT’s public transportation grants help provide access, mobility and independence to Washington residents. Made possible by state and federal funds, these grants provide transit services within and between cities, purchase new buses and other equipment, provide public transportation service for the elderly and people with disabilities, and improve public transportation in and between rural communities.

What will traffic do when SR 520 tolling starts?


By guest blogger Emily Pace

The big question when SR 520 tolling starts Thursday, Dec. 29, is if drivers will continue to use the bridge, travel at off-peak times to pay a cheaper toll rate, find an alternate route, take the bus or just stay home.

We’ve tried to come up with an answer by surveying bridge users and creating traffic forecasts. We’ve collected a lot of data about what people might do once tolling starts, but ultimately, it’s hard to predict what drivers will do.

What can drivers do? Plan ahead and allow extra time.

Without a doubt, it will take a while for drivers to settle into a new pattern after tolling starts – up to six months. Don’t expect traffic to behave the same way every day. While there are other routes around Lake Washington like I-90, SR 522 and I-405-to-I-5, these may be even more congested as traffic reroutes to avoid tolls.

Drivers have several choices when tolling starts:

  • Get a Good To Go! pass and save $1.50 each way in tolls when crossing the SR 520 bridge.
  • Travel during off-peak periods to pay cheaper toll rates: Get familiar with the SR 520 toll rates online or download the WSDOT mobile App.
  • Ride the bus: Take advantage of the 730 daily bus trips across SR 520. King County Metro and Sound Transit expanded service earlier this year in preparation for tolling.
  • Share the ride: Visit RideshareOnline.com to join a vanpool or carpool. Drivers are also encouraged to work with their employers to look into compressing or changing work hours and teleworking.

Plan ahead, allow extra time and pack your patience as traffic on all major roadways will be very different after SR 520 tolling starts. You can always get up-to-date traffic information on our website before you leave.

What are we doing to help drivers?

We will closely monitor all of the routes around and across Lake Washington to determine how tolling affects traffic. We will track travel times, ensure signal coordination, and collect traffic volumes on highways and local roads.  We’ll also be using our traffic tools like travel time signs, ramp meters and electronic message signs. We’ll even have extra Incident Response Team patrols out on the road to help clear incidents and keep traffic moving.

We’re working with local governments around the lake to share data because we know it’s not just about highways but also local streets. We will share what we learn about the effect of tolling on traffic with the public, local governments, the Legislature and the Transportation Commission.

What will be the new “normal” after traffic adjusts?

It will take time for drivers to adjust to a new “normal” after tolling starts. When people settle into new routines after six months or so, we anticipate more traffic will return to SR 520 as drivers find paying a toll for a more reliable trip across the bridge is worth it.

After several months we expect to see the following changes in travel speeds during peak periods:

  • Westbound SR 520 morning commute: 20 mph faster
  • Westbound I-90 morning commute: 5 to 10 mph slower
  • Westbound SR 522 morning commute: 5 mph slower

Are we going to toll I-90?

Not at this time. Legislative authorization is required to toll any new corridors, including I-90, and tolling I-90 would also have to be coordinated with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Even with approval from legislature and FHWA, starting tolling on I-90 would be years away. Time intensive work such as developing environmental studies, designing the toll system and starting the contract bid process would still need to be completed.

SR 522/US 2 Interchange Improvements

A drivers-eye view of the new ramp from
eastbound SR 522 to eastbound US 2
By guest blogger Bronlea Mishler

Heading east out of Seattle and Bothell, State Route 522 gives drivers a shortcut to central Snohomish County and US 2. Unfortunately, that shortcut ends at one of the busiest locations on US 2: Monroe. Drivers often get stuck in congestion on both highways, and have to wait through a sometimes-lengthy stoplight to reach US 2. Delays can be especially tough during morning and evening commutes, and during busy summer and winter weekends.

But congested drives and long waits at stoplights could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new flyover ramp that opened at 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Now, drivers headed east on SR 522 can connect to eastbound US 2 via a new direct ramp. The new ramp allows drivers to skip the stoplight and get on to US 2 a half-mile farther east. That means no more waiting at a signal to turn left, and less congestion through town.

About 17,000 vehicles travel through the SR 522/US 2 interchange every day. This new ramp will help smooth traffic flow by giving drivers two options to head east on US 2. The existing loop ramp will remain in place for drivers heading west on US 2 and drivers who want to access local businesses north of US 2 from Kelsey Street. Drivers using the new ramp can access local businesses beginning at Chain Lake Road.

In addition to the new ramp, crews added one new lane in each direction of US 2 – eastbound between Chain Lake Road and SR 522, and westbound between SR 522 and Cascade View Drive. The additional lanes will help improve traffic flow in and out of Monroe.

This is the first phase of a two-stage project to widen SR 522 to four lanes between US 2 and the Snohomish River Bridge. Construction began on the second part of the project in July and is expected to be completed by late 2014.

Let Traffic Safety be the First Gift You Open


With the holidays right around the corner, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. Whether you are entertaining family and friends at home, heading to visit loved ones, or setting off for a fun filled vacation, let's not forget that arriving safe is the best present we can give.

To ensure that you arrive safely wherever your holiday celebrations take you, we ask that you consider these tips:
  •  Make sure your car is ready for the trip.
  • Give yourself plenty of time and know your route. Consider designating a passenger, possibly one of your children, to be navigator.
  • Check road conditions and the weather report. Be prepared, pack an emergency road safety kit and snow scrapper.
  • Don't over-pack your vehicle. Make sure you have an unobstructed view.
  • Pack some snacks for the kids (or yourself)  and bottled water, especially if you have a long journey. Know where rest-stops are along the route.
  • Don't drive drowsy. Be sure that you've had at least seven hours sleep the night before.
  • Ensure everyone is comfortable and buckled-up.
  • Obey the speed limits and posted traffic signs.
  • Never drink and drive. 
  • Stay clear of distractions - put your cell phone in the glove compartment, set your mirrors, navigation and radio station before pulling out of the driveway.
And, most importantly remember to be cautious, focused and safe!

Following these tips will help you enjoy your holiday. On behalf of the AAA family, best wishes for a wonderful holiday weekend.

MoraChat.com Review

MoraChat.com

Morachat.com is another option for online surfers to maximize income opportunity. This is a paid to post forum site. There are three ways that one can earn from this site. You can earn for posting your ideas on forum chat rooms. You can also earn by referring your friends and other people to the site. From time to time, there are some posts made by the admin regarding job openings on the extra work section which is really a good income opportunity. Most of the job openings are on article writers, bloggers and more.

Moving on, you can start earning on this site simply by replying to some posts or you can even start a new post yourself. All of which you can earn a measly amount of income. This is not a quick rich scheme program. If you enjoy posting on forums, then this is a good site for you. Each post you submitted should contain 25 words or more except for game forums. The admin is quite strict when it comes to posting quality posts. They do not allow spamming. You can always check all the rules from the site for more information. When it comes to earnings, the post rate is around $ 0.01 - 0.02. Through your referrals, you can earn 50c.  Now, you can cash out your earnings only through PayPal account. The minimum cash out is $9. 

Anyway, the platform is quite easy to use. You can even make your personalized profile and interact with other members through a private message. Just take time to familiarize the whole platform and in the long run, you will get the hang of it. Aside from earning a minimal income from Morachat, the admin and the members are really friendly and accommodating. You can also receive messages from your personal email regarding some announcements or posts that you made. The good thing about this site is that it is very interactive. You can easily ask from the admin with prompt answers.  From time to time, the admin post some tutorials on article writing, blogging and other stuffs. This a good site to earn and learn from other people as well.  So, if you enjoy paid to post forum, then try Morachat.  My experience on this site is really good. I visit this site like 4 or 5 times a week during my free time. If you regularly post on the site, then you can easily reach your minimum payout in just a few days. Note that this task would not really make you rich but the friendship, fun and knowledge you learn from other people is indeed great! New income opportunities also await you.

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Triond.com Review

Triond.com


If you love to write any relevant topics, then Triond is just the right place for you. It is your opportunity to share your passion in writing. Anyway, I have been a member of this site for barely a month now. I just tried it when a friend of mine recommended it to me. What I like about this site is that it has a professional designed platform. It is easy to maneuver.  You will also have your personal webpage in which you can add friends, post your blog sites, articles, photos and more. You can submit not just articles but as well as your videos, photos and sound files. The submitted articles, photos and other things are reviewed immediately and after a few minutes, these will be published on different sites affiliated to Triond. 

Anyway, the good thing about this site is that you can earn extra money. One can earn money from Triond every time a person views your articles. If you get more views on your submitted articles and photos, then you earn more as well. However, the amount is quite low and not sufficient enough for a writing job. Still, do not be disappointed. If you have your own blog, then you can take advantage of Triond. There are several Triond members who are established bloggers. You can make friends with them and build consistent followers for your own blog. 

So far, I have only submitted two articles and a photo since I am still testing this site. In just less than a week, I got twelve views from fellow Triond members and I earned US$0.01. I was really surprised that with just a small number of views I can start earning. A good tip to earn more views is to promote your articles to your social networking friends, your family members or simply put up a Triond widget on your blog site. In this way, viewers of your blog may have a chance to view your articles on Triond. Setting up your Triond widget is just very easy to do. Just go to your Account button on your Triond platform and click Triond Widget. Key in your pen name on the left side and then get your widget. It will be directly pasted to your blog. This is a good way to let other readers know about your articles on Triond. Remember, more views, more income.  Your earnings on Triond will depend on traffic views. Payment is via PayPal account. You can withdraw once you reached US$0.50. So, if you are interested you can always sign up on this site anytime you want.
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Top Ten Questions about SR 520 Tolls

The popular sticker pass is about the size of a band-aid.
by guest blogger Emily Pace

Tolling on the SR 520 Bridge is starting Dec. 29. Last week we asked everyone to send us their questions on SR 520 tolling. Here are the top 10 questions we’ve received and answers.
  1. I got my pass at the store. I’m set, right?
    You’re almost set. If you purchased your pass at one of our retail partners (Fred Meyer, Safeway, Costco or QFC) you will need to:
    • Go online to set up and put money in a Good To Go! account and activate your sticker pass
    • Install the sticker pass on your vehicle per the instruction accompanying the pass. Don’t forget to do this before Dec. 29!
  2. I only cross once or twice a month, so why would I get a pass?
    Getting a Good To Go! pass and setting up an account will save you $1.50 in tolls each time you cross the bridge – the $5 sticker pass pays for itself in just four crossings (that’s $6 saved). By setting up a pre-paid account with $30 your tolls will be automatically deducted. So the real question is; why wouldn’t you purchase a pass and open an account?

  3. How much are the tolls?
    • Toll rates vary depending on the time of the day you cross the bridge, but two points are always the same: drivers spend less by driving during off-peak times, and you can save money in tolls with a Good To Go! pass.
    • For those with a Good To Go! pass, toll rates range from $1.60 to $3.50 during the week and $1.10 to $2.20 on the weekend. Rates are $1.50 higher for vehicles without a pass.
  4. How did you come up with these rates?
    The Washington State Transportation Commission recommended toll rates and the Legislature approved them.

  5. Where is this money going, and how much of this is going to pay for the bridge?
    Tolls on SR 520 expect to raise $1 billion to help fund the $4.64 billion SR 520 bridge replacement and HOV program. The target date to open the new bridge is 2014.

  6. What kinds of vehicles are exempt?
    The only vehicles exempt from SR 520 tolls are registered vanpools, transit, emergency response vehicles (such as police, fire and ambulances) on bona-fide emergencies, Washington State Patrol vehicles assigned to the bridge, tow trucks authorized by the Washington State Patrol to clear a blocking incident, and bridge maintenance vehicles. Carpools and motorcycles are not exempt.

  7. What other routes can we take?
    While there are other routes around Lake Washington like I-90, SR 522 and I-405-to-I-5, these may be even more congested as traffic reroutes to avoid tolls. We encourage SR 520 drivers to get a Good To Go! pass and save $1.50 on each toll when they cross the bridge. Drivers can also share the ride and take advantage of carpools, vanpools, transit and work with their employers to look into compressing or changing work hours and teleworking.

  8. Is this really, truly going to happen?
    Yes. Tolling will start at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29 and we are ready. When we encounter issues we will work to solve them as quickly as possible and keep the public updated. Drivers can help and save money in tolls by getting a Good To Go! pass and setting up an account on line as soon as possible to avoid the last-minute rush. Don’t have online access? Just call Good To Go! customer service at 1-866-936-8246 for other payment or pass options.

  9. How many people are going to change their travel routes?
    Every driver is different and it’s going to take a while for travel patterns to shake out. Once people get settled into their new habits we expect to see slightly more traffic on I-90 and SR 522 during rush hour. We also expect to see more traffic return to SR 520 and a more reliable trip across the bridge as drivers find paying a toll for a more reliable trip across the bridge is worth it. We will closely monitor all of the routes around Lake Washington during this transition.

  10. What should visitors from out of the area do to cross the bridge?
    No pass? No worries. Your out-of-town guests don’t have to do anything – a photo will be taken of their license plate and we will bill them by mail at a higher toll rate. You can also call customer service within 72 hours of crossing to pay the toll by setting up a Short Term Account. But those who want the lowest rate possible should check out the pass options online.
Don’t see your question answered here? We have more answers in our SR 520 Tolling Frequently Asked Questions, including information for those who activated their Good To Go! Pass by April 15 - yes, you still get your credit!

If you have questions or concerns regarding a toll bill, civil penalty or Good To Go! account please call 1-866-936-8246 or email GoodToGo@GoodToGo.wsdot.wa.gov.

Ever heard of a rolling slow down?

We get great questions from time to time that are worth having a bigger conversation about.  Dr. David Parks recently asked, "Why are you doing "rolling slowdowns" on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass even on weekends?  This last Saturday, the roads were totally clear (no ice, no snow, no avalanches, no construction), and I encountered a 20 minute "delay" behind your wonderful DOT trucks traveling 20 mph down the road?"

Our Assistant Maintenance Superintendent for the North Bend to Vantage area, Harry Nelson, took the time to answer his question:

We generally experience high traffic volumes on the  I-90 corridor, ( 15,000 to 40,000 vehicles daily ), and sometimes during peak travel times more. They also average 75 plus mph on any given day unless weather will not allow, even then some still attempt this speed. With these high volumes, and fast pace, emergent work, (potholes, debris, disabled vehicles, etc.), can become quite a challenge for our crews.

Rolling Slow Downs are a safe way for us to accomplish our emergent work with little impact. It appears that our vehicles are just holding you up for no reason. I assure you that is not the case at all. What you did not see is the emergent work ahead of our trucks being done on the roadway. This could have been a pothole, or any other incident that would cause damage to a vehicle, cause an accident, or be a safety issue to the traveling public. As you stated “they hold you back at 20 mph,” when the work you do not see ahead of you is complete, they get out of your way and let you go and you may never see the workers ahead of you that were doing the emergent activity. These slowdowns average 5 to 8 minutes. These slowdowns are designed for short duration work, so not to delay the public and keep our crews and the public safe. While you are traveling 20 mph behind our vehicles, our crew is doing this work without anyone driving through their work zone.

Safety is our #1 priority.

If we were to close a lane to do this short duration work, the traffic delays would be significantly longer, maybe even 1 to 2 hours longer added to your travel time in peak traffic situations. Instead we prefer the 5 to 8 minute delay, as you can understand why, less inconvenience to you, and safer for our crews. I hope this helps you understand that what looks like wasted time, may prevent an accident, unnecessary damage to a vehicle, or bodily injury either to the public or our workers.

Again our main concern is SAFETY to all, and not to inconvenience anyone.

So if you see one of our trucks or crews out there on the road, be sure to take the time and give them a brake.

Get Paid To Chat Online

There are several opportunities to work online. The problem is that it is hard to pinpoint websites that are really legitimate. Now, my topic is focused on Getting Paid To Chat Online. Yes, a lot of people have been asking me regarding the chance to get paid while chatting online. Before I move on any further, let me just stress out that I am not referring to those websites that have women who get paid to chat to other people. Those website companies really offer big salary but I do not have any idea about any of those.

Moving on, based from my experience, I tried around two get paid to chat websites. The payments are quite small for these sites. However, once piled up, it may add an additional income for you. Aside from chatting for long hours, the success of getting good income while chatting is through referral program. The more friends and people you can refer, the more money you can earn. So, if you are interested on paid to chat websites, then you may try any of the following sites:

1. Birejji.com – this is the first paid online chatting site that I joined. I may have not earned big income from this site but I was able to meet new friends online. The good thing is that I was able to share and refer some of these online friends to my other online jobs.  I gained more connections. Anyway, earning some income on Birejji.com varies according on the village that you join in. You also need to post good quality topics on the site and free from spam. The number of referrals and quantity of your post also matter a lot. You can easily cash out payment from your PayPal account when you reached US$0.01. You can also make use of AlertPay in which the minimum payout is USS1.00. Anyway, Birejji.com platform is quite easy to use. You log in, choose a village that you like to join in. On the site, a “pot” value can be seen from each village. So, your earning is based on the latest “pot” value on your chosen village and also the number of messages that you processed the whole time. Now, when sending a message, you direct a message to a certain user. Simply type “@” and followed by a username. If you are interested to join, you can check the site for yourself. There are rules that a user must strictly follow in order not to be banned from this site.




2. PaySnork.com - It is almost the same as Birejji. This paid to chat site has a minimum payout of US$0.05 through PayPal. I joined this site just two weeks ago. I visit this site from time to time and see its progress. So, far I have a very slow progress in my earning. Just like Birejji, I also gained new online friends. I can chat with them on the platform with pay and talking about some businesses. I can also chat with other users through a private chat though I cannot earn from chatting in private. This is good in eliminating spam especially if you talk to some users about other online job opportunities. By the way, for 25 characters or more, one can earn US$0.0001. The payment is so small but the camaraderie that you form with other online users paid much. You can discuss privately about other job opportunities which can be a good work advantage for both users. If you are interested, sign up on this site for additional information. 

Anyway, just check out my blog from time to time for I will be updating more about this topic. I am working on another paid to chat site. I will be giving you some feedback on my latest discovery in the coming days. So, just bear with me. Enjoy and have fun earning online!


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    Roundabout benefits come full circle


    Believe it or not, driving in circles can actually save fuel and reduce harmful emissions. Though it may sound counterintuitive, roundabouts actually have many environmental benefits – on top of all their safety benefits – that should put them at the top any intersection improvement list.

    SR 548 Roundabout - Aerial
    The safety benefits behind roundabouts are jaw dropping - reducing deaths by 90 percent, injuries by 76 percent and all crashes by 40 percent, according to the InsuranceInstitute for Highway Safety. But did you know that the efficiency and emissions statistics behind roundabouts are equally impressive?

    The emissions and gas-savings stats have been less publicized, but they’re no less stunning from a sustainabletransportation standpoint. In a day and age when we’re counting every last pound of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere, these numbers are becoming even more important.

    A Kansas State University study found that replacing four-way stops with roundabouts reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 38-45 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 55-61 percent. Nitrogen oxides dropped 44-51 percent, and hydrocarbons fell 62-68 percent.

    The number and size of vehicles play a big role in emissions. Roundabouts have even greater environmental benefits at busier intersections, especially if used by lots of semis.

    Aerial view of SR 539 Wiser Lake roundabout

    Other studies show that when roundabouts replace intersections with or without signals, there’s a 30 percent reduction in carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and a 30 percent drop in fuel consumption.

    The bulk of emissions aren’t necessarily from idling: We really pump the emissions into the atmosphere every time we accelerate from that stop sign or red light.

    In fall 2005, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studied 10 intersections where traffic signals were built instead of roundabouts. The study estimated vehicle delays and fuel consumption at the signaled intersections and then compared the results to what they would have been if roundabouts had been built instead. For those 10 intersections, roundabouts would have: 

    • Reduced delays by 62-74 percent, saving 325,000 hours (37 years) of motorists’ time annually.
    • Decreased fuel consumption by about 235,000 gallons per year, for an annual savings of $587,000 (assuming an average cost of $2.50 per gallon of regular gas).
    • Caused fewer emissions and pollutants to be released into the atmosphere. 
    Once a signal is installed, they’re rarely removed. They’re around for quite a few years, and their annual costs really add up over time.

    The annual cost to run and maintain a signal is assumed to be about $8,000 a year. That’s $5,000 for basic electricity and routine signal maintenance and $3,000 to retime and optimize for traffic. Plus, signals get a rebuilt after 20 years – new guts and software – which costs about 30 percent of the initial cost. There are none of these costs when you build and maintain a roundabout.  

    In the last four years, 14 signals have been removed and replaced with roundabouts at intersections in Washington. Today, there are 220 roundabouts total across the state, and 58 of those are on state highways.

    Olympia Roundabout Looking East

    Many drivers believe traffic signals are the better choice simply because that’s what they’re used to. But from safety, societal cost and environmental standpoints, the roundabout wins hands down.

    If roundabouts reduce pollutants and save gas, why would anyone prefer to sit and wait at stoplight or stop sign?

    Viable opportunities in viaduct recycling

    by guest blogger Noel Brady


    This chunk of the Viaduct showed up on Ebay
    Turns out there’s more than one way to recycle a 60-year-old viaduct.

    When we razed the southern portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in late October, several shrewd spectators turned to eBay to recycle their pieces of Seattle history into cold hard cash. One chunk of concrete went for at least $16.50, minus shipping.

    WSDOT and viaduct contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) saw opportunity in recycling too; they turned viaduct rubble into cold hard building materials. Our transportation engineer Amjad Omar said nearly 100 percent of the old concrete and rebar from this portion of the viaduct in Seattle will be recycled and reused.

    From October’s demolition alone – about 25 percent of the total viaduct structure – crews hauled 3,500 truckloads of concrete rubble to Terminal 25. There, the concrete was crushed to be reused for the new SR 99 Tunnel that will replace the viaduct, and the rebar is being prepared for transfer to a local recycler.

    Not only does recycling save us on the cost of materials, but it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from hauling rumble to a far-off disposal site, producing new materials and hauling it to the work site. Recycling old bridges and other transportation structure is nothing new for us. Last spring we recycled 100 percent of the NE 12th Street Bridge that spanned I-405 in Bellevue.

    The state does not require recycling in bridge demolition, but it is becoming the norm as the market for recycled materials grows. Our engineers routinely write construction specifications to ease the future recycling of materials.

    Mturk.com Review

    Mturk.com

    I tried working on Mturk.com just around June of this year. I got curious by some people’s feedback regarding the site so I tried it myself. Anyway, you can sign up on the site for free and you get paid through your Amazon Payments account. For US based worker, you can easily cash out your payments by gift certificate from Amazon.com or you can cash out money through your US bank account. However for international workers, you are only entitled to an Amazon.com gift certificate. However, workers from India can receive check for their earnings. For further information regarding the payments, just check on the FAQ. 

    Anyway, my experience with Mturk.com is not at all productive since I have a full-time job. I never expected to earn much knowing that I am an international worker. Gift certificates are just fine for me. Now, talking about Mturk’s platform, it is a bit messy at first but once you get the hang of it, it would be easy to maneuver the platform. There are several hits that are open to individuals. Some available tasks need some qualification tests before you can do the task. On my part, I have limited opportunities to do some tasks due to my geographical location. Most of the tasks involve article writing, audio transcribing, data researching, answering surveys and several others. Some tasks specifically require US based people. Anyway, sometimes I am lucky to get writing task like 150 words review which would cost US$1. Well, this is quite easy for me since I have more experienced in writing. Other tasks only cost a penny. My advice is that if you want to earn more, try to do tasks that offer higher earnings for you. In addition, you should view the Hits first before you accept the task. If you cannot do it, move to another task so you will not waste your time. 

    All in all, I cannot say that this site can give a sufficient income especially for international workers since you can only get Amazon gift certificates in exchange for your earnings. Up until now, I have not received any Amazon gift certificate yet since I only have minimal earnings. The key to earning more on Mturk.com is to be an active member. You are fortunate if you are a US based worker. There are several opportunities for you. For international workers, if you are interested to receive Amazon.com gift certificates, then might as well sign up for this site. Anyway, feel free to share your experiences with Mturk.
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    Are you ready? Tolling starts December 29 on the SR 520 Bridge

    by guest blogger Emily Pace

    Toll Division Director Craig Stone presents the
     start date for tolling on the SR 520 Bridge
    Get your Good To Go! Pass today

    Tolling on the SR 520 Bridge starts Thursday, Dec. 29. We recommend you open a Good To Go! account now to avoid the inevitable last-minute rush before tolling starts.

    To pay the lowest toll rate, it’s important to set up a Good To Go! account now to make sure you receive your Good To Go! Pass before tolling starts. The longer you wait, the longer the lines will be – either on the phone, in the store or online.

    You can buy a Good To Go! Pass at retail stores, online at www.GoodToGo520.org, in-person at a customer service center, or by calling 1-866-936-8246. If you choose to order your pass online, we recommend you do it soon to allow plenty of time for delivery before tolling starts.

    If you’ve already got your Good To Go! Pass and it’s sitting on your counter, don’t forget to activate it (if you bought it at a retail store) and install it in your vehicle. You should also make sure all your account information is up to date.

    To prepare for the expected high volumes of customers registering and activating accounts this month, WSDOT has extended call center hours, added capacity to the phone lines and Good To Go! web page and hired extra customer service staff.

    Knowledge is power. We want drivers to become experts on the topic of SR 520 tolling: know your travel options and know the rates. To help you get a start, we’ve gathered the top five things drivers should know. Check ‘em out and feel free to ask us any other questions that come to mind.

    Top Five Things to Know About SR 520 Tolls:

    1. A Good To Go! Pass is the cheapest, easiest way to pay the toll. If you travel the SR 520 Bridge at least once a month, we recommend opening a Good To Go! account. You’ll save $1.50 in tolls each time you cross the bridge with a Good To Go! Pass.

    2. Toll rates vary by time of day. Toll rates vary by time of day to help improve traffic. Toll rates are most expensive during peak travel times and cheaper during off-peak periods. As some drivers shift their drive times, we expect traffic to improve during peak hours.

    3. There will be no toll booths. All tolls will be collected electronically. With a pre-paid Good To Go! account, tolls are automatically deducted without stopping or slowing down.

    4. There’s more bus service. To give drivers an alternative to paying the toll, King County Metro and Sound Transit have added 130 daily bus trips to routes on SR 520 for a total of 700 every weekday.

    5. Tolling helps pay for a new SR 520 Bridge. The revenue generated from toll helps build a new, more reliable and safer bridge. The target date for opening the new bridge is 2014.

    CloudCrowd.com Review

    CloudCrowd.com

    I am an on and off member of CloudCrowd. When I am not busy from other tasks, I spend some time on this site. It is a good source of additional income especially during my free time. Anyway for you to get started, you go to CloudCrowd and then click the tab, Earn Money Now. It will lead you to your Facebook account. CloudCrowd has a Facebook–based application. After linking on your Facebook account, you will fill out a form and you are ready to go. You just need to read the rules first before you start working. Anyway, there are available credential tests that you can take on the platform. You can see these tests on the Credentials tab. You will be notified of your test results through email. Credentials are only taken 4 times and if you do not pass the first time, you have to wait another month before you can take the same credential test. The tests include write product descriptions, grade written English test, write product titles, edit documents and more. Once you passed all these credentials, then more tasks are available for you which means more chances of getting income. However, you do not have to worry since there are available tasks that do not require credential test. The pay rate varies accordingly. You can also earn by referring your friends on CloudCrowd. A small percentage will be paid to you every time your friends completed a task on CloudCrowd.  The good thing about CloudCrowd is that they pay promptly through PayPal account. In my case, once I completed a task, I got my payment the next business day. Isn’t it amazing? 

    Moving on, there are things that you need to remember while working on CloudCrowd. You need to keep a good credibility level. Your level starts from 30 and then it goes up when you start getting good task approval. You need to do well on each task you do since one wrong task and your credibility level will go down. If you reach a very low level, you will be put on probation and you are monitored carefully. Well, it also happened to me several times in the past, making some errors in my work. Now, I am careful in choosing tasks in which I can totally give a good result. If you continue to do a bad performance, there is a high chance that your account is suspended. 

    If you find this site quite interesting, you can always sign up for free. Review everything and do your work carefully. Enjoy and earn more while using CloudCrowd.
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    Get Paid To Upload Photos Online

    Cartoon_of_a_Photographer_Taking_Pictures

    These past few days, I have been reviewing about my experiences regarding some home-based online writing jobs. There are just several websites that pay individuals to write with variations in payments. Now in my next blogs, I am going to introduce to you some other ways to earn online. Writing online is just one of the many home-based online jobs that you can choose from. If you have an interest in photography, you can make extra cash out of your hobby. Yes, that’s right! There are just several online businesses and people who are willing to pay extra amount for your good quality photos. Some of them used pictures for their blogs, websites and several other reasons. Whatever their reasons are, it is to your great advantage to make money out of your photographs. Anyway, here are some websites for you to earn extra money with your photographs. Check out these sites:


    1. Alamy.com – Make extra income and earn 60% from your sold images. You will enjoy copyright and editorial control of your images.  


    2. BigStockPhoto.com – Be a contributor on this site for free. Learn the Contributors Tutorial and start uploading your good quality images. You keep the copyrights of your images as well. You can earn 30% in their For Pay As You Go purchases when a customer downloads one of your images. Check this out. 


    3. CanStockPhoto.com – Simply fill out an application on this site and you are required to submit 3 images. Your application will be quickly reviewed. Once you are accepted, you can start uploading photos. You will earn a commission every time one of your images is downloaded. You can refer other photographers and earn US$5 per 50 photos they sell. You can cash out payment once you reach US$50. Payments are sent through PayPal. You can also opt for MoneyBookers transfer or mailed check but outstanding balance should be US$100. 


    4. Crestock.com – You can submit outstanding images in different categories. For a newbie, you are only allowed to submit 10 images every week. You retain the copyright of your images and you can continue using or selling them anytime. You get US$0.25 commission for every download of your images. 


    5. DepositPhotos.com – You register on the site and ask to submit five samples of your best photographs. This is a quick exam for you. Once you passed it, you are ready to upload photos 24/7. Sellers can earn 40% to 60% of the revenue of your photo downloads. You can withdraw funds once you reached US$50. You can cash out through PayPal, MoneyBookers or Webmoney account.  


    6. Dreamstime.com – You can earn 25-60% for each sale of your stock images. You can request your payments when you reach an outstanding balance of US$100 on your account. Payments are sent via PayPal, MoneyBookers, Payoneer and bank check. 


    7. Fotolia.com – Contributors can receive a royalty payout from 20% to 63% for photos sold through single –image download. In addition, you can earn 0.25 to 0.40 credits for photos sold through subscription download. Payment method is through PayPal and MoneyBookers. 


    8. iStockPhoto.com – This site allows anyone to register as a photographer. You need to pass a short test first by submitting 3 photos. Once you get an approval, then you are ready to start uploading your photos. Payments are through PayPal, MoneyBookers, MasterCard Payoneer and Check. For further information, just browse over the FAQ on the site. 


    9. MostPhotos.com – You do not need to be a professional photographer to sell your images. You can earn 50% commission on your uploaded photos. You can invite your friends to make a referral. You earn 10% per sold photo of your referred photographer. You also earn 5% from your referred buyer for every photo he or she purchases. 


    10. Paidpictures.com – Wherever you may be, you can always contribute your photos on this site. They pay per assignment. The mode of payment is through PayPal account. 


    11. PhotoStockPlus.com – You can sell stock and event photos. You get 85% commission on all your sold images but you must pay a 3.25% processing fee. You can cash out payments once you reached US$100. Payment is through PayPal, check or bank wire. 


    12. Stockfresh.com – The minimum royalty rate per download of your images is 50% and can go as high as 62.5%. Payments are through PayPal and MoneyBookers. You can request a payout once you reached US$50. 


    13. ShutterStock.com – You simply fill out a form on the sign up page and you can start uploading your photos.  You can earn from US$0.25 to US$28 depending on the users’ download on your images. You can also earn by referring other photographers and customers to the site. Just submit as many photos as you want to. The more you submit, the more you increase your chances in earning extra amount of money. In order to cash out your earnings, you need to have at least US$75 on your account. You can cash out through PayPal or MoneyBookers. You need a minimum of US$300 for check payments. This is open to all countries. 


    14. Veer.com – Start uploading photos and illustrations and earn royalties from this site. Royalty rates range from US$0.35 to US$7 depending on the size of your images and price in credits. You can be paid through PayPal or Payoneer. Check out the FAQ for further information. 


    15. 123rf.com – There are three ways that you can earn in this site. You can sell photos and get 50% of the net proceeds, refer customers and get 15% of the subscription or purchase and finally, refer photographers. So, what are you waiting for? Check it out for yourself. 

    With all those things considered, you are now ready to bring out your camera and take quality photos around you. This simple hobby of yours may go a long way. There are just several opportunities to showcase your photo collections. Isn’t it interesting?
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    Milepost 31: The rest of the story

    by guest blogger KaDeena Yerkan

    Why did you spend money creating a “museum” in Pioneer Square? That question, and variations of it, is one we’ve heard a lot in the past few days, ever since we opened Milepost 31, an information center devoted to the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program and Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

    We didn’t decide on a whim to spend money on this information center. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires agencies to take into account the effects of their projects on historic properties, such as those in the Pioneer Square Historic District. Replacing the viaduct is going to have impacts on Pioneer Square, and we were required to create a plan that mitigates them. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have received federal approval to build the SR 99 tunnel. No mitigation plan, no tunnel – it’s as simple as that. And Milepost 31 was created at no additional cost to state taxpayers, since mitigation funds were already included in the project budget.

    So, why include something like Milepost 31 in the mitigation plan? This was the result of negotiations with neighborhood and historic preservation organizations brought together as part of the Section 106 process. Everyone agreed that an information center could offset construction effects in Pioneer Square by reminding people that neighborhood businesses are open during construction and by encouraging visitors to the area.

    Advocates of such an information center included the city of Seattle, the state Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation, the Alliance for Pioneer Square, national and local preservation groups, and local tribes. “Milepost 31 has already become a vital asset to the neighborhood. It gives people another reason to visit Pioneer Square during the holiday season, which is a crucial time for retailers and other businesses in the neighborhood,” said Leslie Smith, executive director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square.

    So, we hope the controversy doesn’t steer you away from visiting Milepost 31, located at 211 First Ave. S. in Seattle. It’s a one-of-a-kind place for a one-of-a-kind project. Visitors to the center will find historic artifacts, 3-D models and pieces of tunneling equipment. Interactive exhibits show how Seattle’s landscape and shoreline have changed during the past 20,000 years, and how crews will build the massive tunnel that will replace the viaduct and reshape the SR 99 corridor. And, if you have questions about it, feel free to contact us at viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov.

    Microworkers.com Review

    Microworkers.com

    It is quite amazing that we can earn extra income even within our homes. All we need to have is a good computer or laptop, a reliable internet connection and we are ready to go. But wait; before you get too excited, you need to do a thorough research first before you apply for an online job. You just don’t want to be a victim of any scamming employers. Always remember, you do not have to pay any amount of money just to apply for an online job. Anyway, as for me, I have tried several websites that offer home-based job opportunities for everyone. Today, I will be reviewing about microworkers.com. So, have you ever heard of this site? Well, first of all, microworkers  is a site for both employers and employees. There are tasks waiting to be completed by the workers. These tasks include voting and rating stuffs, writing an article, clicking or searching some sites and several other things to do. Each task has a corresponding amount of payments. The site is quite easy to handle. There is also a FAQ that you can browse through for additional information. Anyway, the minimum amount to cash out is US$9. One can cash out using MoneyBookers and AlertPay.


    Now, my experience with this site is not satisfactory at all. From the time I first joined on this site up until this moment, I have never received any payments from them. To activate withdrawals on this site, you need to have your PIN first. You will request for the PIN number and it will be mailed to your address. I did this thing several months ago. I requested for my PIN number twice and I never received any mail from them. I have never cashed out my payments from them. The sad thing is that every time I requested for a PIN number, US$2 is deducted from my account. I am just one of those unlucky individuals who were not able to cash out our payments. I cannot claim whether this site is a scam or not since there are active members from this site who claim on getting their money without delay. I just hope next time instead of using a postal mail; they should make use of the email for workers to get their PIN number.  

    How about you? What can you say about microworkers.com? Is it a scam or not?

    Senior Safety Remains Important Issue on The Road


    People 65 and older are the fastest growing driving demographic in the United States. The “baby boomers” are becoming grandparents and it is estimated that by 2020, there will be 40 million licensed drivers 65 or older.  This means millions of families will soon be looking for answers about issues surrounding senior mobility as well as the resources that are available to help keep their loved one safe behind the wheel.

    This week (December 5th-9th) is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and I thought it would be an excellent time to share my thoughts on this subject. First, both the AAA Foundation and AAA Clubs are not in the business of taking the keys out of the hands of senior drivers. In fact, we are dedicated to helping keep seniors driving safely for longer. That’s why the Foundation encourages seniors to assess their driving abilities with programs like Roadwise Review and use training tools like DriveSharp to help maintain cognitive abilities critical to safe driving.  It is our belief that the decision to stop driving should not be based on age, but on the ability to drive safely. 

    However, let’s be realistic, there are issues associated with aging that can’t be changed. Take vision and lighting, for example.  People need far more light to see objects clearly as they get older, which can undoubtedly have an impact on someone’s driving ability.  Mature drivers can address this issue by planning trips during the day and avoiding driving late at night or in foggy, rainy weather when it can be difficult to see.
     
    Another issue of concern is the use of medications and the impact they can have on the ability to drive safely.  We’ve all seen the warning labels that read “Do not operate heavy machinery”. Well those definitely apply when it comes to medications and driving. A 2009 AAA Foundation study found that about two-thirds of seniors take five or more medications every day.  Many of these drugs can impair driving, especially in combination with other meds.  But, just over a quarter of people surveyed in this study reported knowing that they were taking substances that could affect their driving.  Knowing what you’re taking and how it affects you is critical for your safety.

    The greatest challenge for many families is simply acknowledging the issue and talking about it. While this can be difficult, the earlier that discussion happens with your loved one, the easier it will be to make a plan of action. Many seniors are afraid they will be losing their independence if they can’t drive and don’t want to become a burden on family or friends. However, people are often unaware of the alternative transportation options that are available to help make this transition easier for everyone. 

    Seniors are important contributors within the community and we want to see them continue to travel safely – whether that’s behind the wheel, on foot or via public transportation.  We want seniors and their families to be aware of the programs that can help extend the driving experience as well as the resources that are available when it is time for them to give up the keys.  

    For more information about senior driver safety and mobility, visit www.seniordriving.aaa.com or www.seniordrivers.org.