We have received several questions from viewers wondering if we have information about local companies and what they’re doing to help ease the traffic congestion.

Below you’ll find information from several companies that have committed to providing information and possible alternatives for helping to minimize disruption during the three-week I-5 closure. If your company is doing something special, please e-mail me . I’d love to hear about it.

Happy travels,

Jenni Hogan

Starbucks is providing partners (employees):

• Offering discounted public transit and/or train passes (for the month of August) to partners with single occupancy vehicles who drive and park at selected lots near one of our buildings.
• Providing open houses and other information updates to partners about the closure, its impact and resources for alternative transportation options.
• Continuing to research additional alternatives for partners who commute.

Group Health is offering employees the following:

• Help with planning commutes with staff transportation coordinator at the following link commute@ghc.org
• Adjusting the requirements for vanpools.
• Assistance to form carpools so employees can use the special HOV lane. 
• GHC subsidizes Flex Passes to encourage employees to take public transportation.
• Employees who work in clinics and hospitals and patient scheduling will be at work at their normal times to insure that patients are seen according to their appointments.

Boeing is offering:

• Hoteling Centers at 6 different locations – Renton (2),  Everett, Bellevue, Auburn, and Kent
• A large car pool and van pool program
• Educating employees on the I-5 closure and alternate routes
• Providing incentives to take public transportation