CHOKEPOINTS

Is coronavirus clearing the roads for Puget Sound commuters?

Mar 5, 2020, 9:18 AM | Updated: Oct 8, 2024, 7:35 am

The Puget Sound region just experienced one of the oddest morning commutes in a long time, and it seems possible that coronavirus might be to blame.

King County Metro to start cleaning buses daily to limit coronavirus spread

Thursday’s are usually one of our busier days on the roads, and yet the roads were empty.

You just don’t get a 40 minute travel time from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. without something significant going on, and that’s what we had Thursday.

15 minute drives out of Auburn? That never happens during the morning commute on a weekday — it did today. I could go over every major commuter route and tell the same story after reflecting on this morning’s drive.

It was quieter than most federal holidays on the roads this morning, and that’s saying something.

To blame this tectonic shift exclusively on our current coronavirus situation wouldn’t be responsible, because I have no factual data to back it up. I’m sure there are other contributing factors that I am unaware of.

Sea-Tac Airport responds to coronavirus with new steps for healthy travel

But something has changed, and I’m looking for perspective here.

Leave us a comment on why you may have changed your behavior — are you concerned about getting the virus? Has your boss told you to work from home? Is your child’s school making the call for you? Or are you staying home for another reason? Have you changed anything at all?

Vote in our poll below and let us know!

 

Chokepoints

seattle traffic...

Nate Connors

Major sports events, full closure on I-405 will make for very busy Seattle commute all weekend

This weekend around the Seattle area might go down as one of the busiest of the summer for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

2 days ago

traffic highway closures...

Paola Tristan Arruda, KIRO 7 News

TRAFFIC: Major highway closures across Puget Sound this weekend

Drivers across the Puget Sound should prepare for one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer.

2 days ago

i-5 south tacoma crash...

KIRO 7 News Staff

I-5 northbound fully blocked in South Tacoma after crash involving up to 10 cars

The northbound lanes of Interstate 5 were fully blocked in South Tacoma early Friday morning after a multi-car crash involving a semi-truck.

2 days ago

Hood Canal Bridge (1)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Stalled semitruck cleared after blocking Hood Canal Bridge for more than an hour

A stalled semitruck was blocking the entrance to the Hood Canal Bridge.

3 days ago

A photo of the overturned dump truck. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Patrol)...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Truck overturns, spilling dirt and blocking ramp from I-5 to State Route 167

The ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to State Route 167 in Pierce County is fully blocked because of an overturned dump truck.

3 days ago

washington ferry ferguson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Washington breaks ground on first new ferry in 11 years, three hybrid-electric vessels ordered

Governor Bob Ferguson announced construction is underway on the state's first new ferry in 11 years, stating a third hybrid-electric vessel has now been added to the order.

4 days ago

Is coronavirus clearing the roads for Puget Sound commuters?