Projects, Plans and Studies - Commute Trip Reduction and Connect Downtown (Official City of Bellevue Website)

Commute Trip Reduction and Connect Downtown

In an effort to reduce rush-hour congestion on highways and local streets, the state supports programs that reduce the number of cars, particularly those with one occupant, on the roads during peak travel periods.

The City of Bellevue is required to maintain a Commute Trip Reduction plan, which is focused on employers citywide with 100 or more full-time employees.

Bellevue also has produced Connect Downtown, part of a state-required Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center program, to address downtown businesses with fewer than 100 employees, as well as residents.

In 2008, the state awarded Bellevue $300,000 to reduce the number of drive-alone trips downtown, where there's a high concentration of both workers and residents.

Both the Commute Trip Reduction plan and Connect Downtown plan were updated, then approved by the Puget Sound Regional Council and the state Department of Transportation. The City Council adopted the plans in March 2008.

Neither plan compels residents or workers to give up their vehicles. Instead, the Commute Trip Reduction and Connect Downtown plans recommend strategies and programs that give commuters and residents more travel options, including walking, biking, taking the bus or joining a car- or vanpool.

The state Department of Transportation Web site offers detailed information about the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act. For more information on Bellevue's efforts to reduce commuter car trips, contact Kate Johnson (contact information in right column of this page).

Contact Information

Transportation
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Kate Johnson
Phone: 425-452-7896
E-mail