Congestion Impact on Amazon HQ2 Decision?

(The below post was prompted by all the “angst” about Amazon HQ2)

Congestion Impact on Amazon HQ2 Decision?

Amazon’s decision to locate a second headquarters elsewhere may be due to a combination of Seattle housing prices rising faster than any other major city in the country at the same time the area has the 4^th worst congestion in the country.   Newcomers unwilling or unable to afford homes in Seattle will be forced to frequently endure hour-or-more long commutes on all the major roadways into and out of the city.  Not an attractive option for the numbers of new hires Amazon would likely need to expand. 

The long commutes are already probably contributing to the dramatic increases in Seattle area housing prices.  An August 10^th Seattle Times article reported only 34% of Seattle residents who worked for large companies in Seattle “drove alone to work”.   While some may walk or bike to work, majorities were able to use Metro buses or Central Link light rail for their commute.  Doing so allows them to avoid parking fees and minimize the expense and hassle of driving.  While commute times may be longer they are normally more reliable.   Access to public transit is an incentive to pay more to live in Seattle.

The same Times article reported more than 75% of those living in surrounding cities are “choosing” to drive alone to work.  While walking or biking are less of an option, many if not most of those commuters are likely “choosing” to drive alone because they don’t have access to public transit.   For years every P&R in the area with access to transit on major roadways has been full well before many commuters arrive.  This lack of parking is matched by the fact that scheduled bus service hasn’t significantly increased either.   

The lack of access to public transit has already forced those commuting into Seattle pay a heavy price in terms of frustration with time wasted on congested freeways and the costs of driving and parking their car.  One can only assume Amazon leadership is aware of the problems their employees have with their commutes.  Those with a modicum of competence regarding public transit will recognize the problems are a direct result of Sound Transit’s failure to add parking and bus service to increase transit ridership.  That ST3 funding does little to add either parking or bus service. 

From there it’s only a small step to recognize that Sound Transit instead is proceeding with plans to spend most of the recently approved $54B on a light rail spine that will do absolutely nothing to increase transit capacity into Seattle.  Along I-5 corridor the riders the extensions attract to its limited capacity will inevitably displace those in Seattle currently using Central Link.  Sound Transit’s spine extensions will force more Seattle residents to “drive alone”.  Especially for south end commuters where Central Link capacity will be limited to half the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, 4440 riders per hour (per PSRC), inevitably ending access for many during peak commute.

The I-90 East Link extensions will do nothing to ease congestion that frequently begins near Issaquah.  Light rail confiscation of the bridge center roadway will extend that congestion across I-90 on bridge outer roadways.  The vast majority of I-90 corridor commuters won’t have access to light rail, leaving them with the choice between high HOT fees on HOV lanes or gridlock on GP lanes.  Hardly an incentive to attract future Amazon cross-lake commuters!

It’s not clear what impact the high cost of homes in Seattle and commuting problems for those living outside Seattle had on Amazon’s HQ2 decision. However, the Seattle area has hardly been “pro-business” for years so it’s doubtful the recent “anti-business” pronouncements dictated decision.   

Amazon however may have also recognized Sound Transit plans to spend $54 B over the next 20 years on light rail extensions will do nothing to reduce it.   Amazon’s acknowledgement of transit problem impact would be a strong message to those responsible.   They need to be queried as other potential future employers may have the same concerns.