Contact Information:

Public Works Administration
6300 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188

Phone: 206 433-0179
Fax: 206 431-3665

Email the Public Works Dept.

Allentown Truck Reroute Project

** Join us at the next Allentown Community Meeting on November 21, 2023, 5:30 p.m. at the Tukwila Community Center!**

Project Status

The City of Tukwila is developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate alternatives to reroute existing BNSF truck traffic in Allentown. An EIS is a process to evaluate potential effects that proposed alternatives may have on the built and natural environment.

We are excited to share the truck route alternatives that will be studied in the EIS. The existing truck route, no-build alternative, in addition to five proposed route alternatives will be studied in the EIS to determine potential impacts on the built and natural environment. You can view all routing alternatives on the map and provide feedback using the comment form below.

The formal comment period for the second phase of scoping was May 3 through June 1.

Thank you again for participating in the first phase of scoping (February 14 to March 15). Your feedback helped us determine routing alternative options and better understand the needs of the community.

 

EIS Process

Routing Alternatives

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can community members be involved in this process?
Your involvement is crucial to this project. There are three formal comment periods throughout the EIS process:

  • Phase 1 Scoping: February 14, 2023 – March 15, 2023 (complete)
  • Phase 2 Scoping: May 3, 2023 – June 1, 2023
  • Draft EIS: TBD

Join our email list to stay informed! We appreciate your continued participation.

Does the City of Tukwila have a preferred alternative to reroute traffic?
The City has no preferred option for alternative access to BNSF’s facility.

Will we hear updates while the Draft EIS is being produced?
Yes, periodic updates will be issued via the project update email. You can join the project email list here.

Does the EIS only analyze current alternatives, or will new alternatives be considered?
The EIS will study five alternatives, as well as the existing route (status quo, no-build option).
These five alternatives were determined through a two-step scoping process. In the first scoping period (February 14th, 2023 to March 15th, 2023) we asked for community input on ideas for alternatives to be considered in the EIS. The second scoping period (May 3rd, 2023 to June 1st, 2023) requests input on the proposed alternatives developed based on that input, previously studied alternatives and new options developed by the project team.

Are other agencies, like King County, Sound Transit, etc., notified about the scoping process?
Legal notices, for both the first and second phases of scoping, have been published in the Seattle Times and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Register. It has also been distributed to select agencies and businesses who might have an interest in the project.

How is the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being funded?
City funds will cover the cost of the EIS.

 

Project History

  • BNSF’s South Seattle Intermodal Facility is located on the east side of the Allentown neighborhood. For many years, trucks traveling to and from the BNSF facility have accessed it mainly via a route that uses 42nd Ave. S (over the 42nd Ave. S Bridge) and S 124th Street.
  • In 2015, the City undertook a study to find a new truck route that would reduce the impacts of trucks in Allentown. The BNSF Railway Intermodal Facility Access Study was completed in late 2016.
  • The study proposed four alternative truck routes that would not travel through Allentown, and one alternative that considered the impacts of leaving the current truck route in place.
  • As part of the study, the City held open houses where the public gave input about the needs of the Allentown community and commented on the proposed truck route alternatives.
  • Using the 2016 study as a starting point, the City will now prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) which will take a more in-depth look at the truck route options identified in the 2016 study, and update the study’s findings to include today’s conditions, improved project understanding, and additional community input.
  • Moving forward with work on the EIS, the City is committed to clear and open communication with the public – of its findings, its intentions, and it actions.

 

Document Library and Helpful Links

 

Questions? Interested in learning more? Please contact Mark Hafs at (206) 902-6690 or Mark.Hafs@TukwilaWA.gov.