Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? End the week strong by taking a look at the latest headlines surrounding the tech community, including: Sound Transit’s East Link Light Rail Construction More Than Half Finished, How To Be Seattle Smart, and more.

Sound Transit’s East Link Light Rail Construction More Than Half Finished

Bellevue Reporter | Evan Pappas | March 7
https://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/sound-transits-east-link-light-rail-construction-more-than-half-finished/

“Representatives of Sound Transit, as well as Bellevue city staff, presented the city council with an update on the East Link light rail project at an extended study session on Feb. 25. The 14-mile East Link Light Rail project aims to connect Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond. Construction on the project began in 2015, with completion planned for 2023…As the construction segments come to a close, Sound Transit will be beginning their systems construction phase to implement traction work, communications and the operations of the rail stations.”

Port of Seattle Pushes for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, It’s Not Easy Being Green

GeekWire | Alan Boyle | March 6
https://www.geekwire.com/2019/port-seattle-pushes-sustainable-aviation-fuels-not-easy-green/

“For years, the Port of Seattle has been talking about weaning Seattle-Tacoma International Airport off fossil fuels, but now it’s getting serious about taking action…But it’s not totally up to the port: A new network of interlocking infrastructures will have to be created, connecting farmers with refiners, distributors and users. That’s the motivation behind this week’s Washington Sustainable Aviation Fuels Summit, set to take place on Thursday and Friday at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle. The event, hosted by Earth Day Northwest 2020, is meant to bring together stakeholders who can get Sea-Tac closer to its goal of having at least 10 percent of its fuel come from sustainable sources by 2028.”

Paine Field to Open for Commercial Flights Monday

Seattle PI | Zosha Millman | March 4
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Paine-Field-commercial-flights-Alaska-United-13659536.php

“After some delay, the wait is finally over: Commercial flights out of Everett’s Paine Field begin on Monday morning. The airport offers a second option for travelers to fly in and out of around Seattle, with two airlines set to offer the most expansive passenger service the airport has ever offered. Alaska Airlines will have 18 daily flights, flying to eight cities: Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego, and Phoenix. United Airlines will offer service to Denver and San Francisco with six flights a day.”

How To Be Seattle Smart

Forbes | Will Jeakle | March 1
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamjeakle/2019/03/01/how-to-be-seattle-smart/#7b8515a66710

“Now that Seattle is officially the smartest city in the U.S., with the highest percentage of college graduates, I thought I would lay out some rules and observations for the hordes of smart people who continue to move here. After all, nothing is more important than making life easy for the smart…Seattle has done some smart things over the years. When every other city was closing down libraries, Seattle built a cool brand-new one with lots of computer stuff as well as books.”