SDOT is building better public transportation infrastructure through projects that improve corridors and connections. The goals of these projects are to:

• Help transit run faster and more reliably
• Improve overall capacity to move people around the region
• Improve transit connections and rider experience  

This page features transit corridor upgrades, multimodal hub enhancements, and “spot improvements” that improve bus speed and reliability. For information on the First Hill Streetcar which is scheduled to begin service in 2013 visit the First Hill Streetcar Project Page.

Transit Priority Corridors

Click here for a draft map of Seattle’s Transit Priority Corridors from the Transit Master Plan.

SDOT is in various stages of upgrading several key transit corridors, three of which are planned Metro RapidRide lines. The Transit Master Plan process has identified 15 routes/corridors that form the backbone of the public transportation network, carrying high numbers of transit trips, showing the potential to generate many additional riders, and connecting Seattle’s most populous neighborhoods, and supporting sustainable growth.

Transit corridor improvement projects aim to improve overall speed and reliability while enhancing bus stop facilities.
For an overview of transit corridor improvements, read this fact sheet.

Recently Completed Transit Priority Corridor Projects -

Belltown Project (serving riders of numerous routes)

SDOT completed major bus stop rebuilding projects at six locations on Third Avenue in Belltown.  Bus stop sidewalks were rebuilt and widened with new shelters, benches, lighting, information signs, bike racks, and other amenities.  The project also included foundations for future electronic real-time bus schedule information signs.  Each of these bus stops – at Virginia, Bell, and Cedar streets - serves hundreds of riders headed to and from Queen Anne and North Seattle.    

For questions about the Belltown project, contact Bill Bryant at bill.bryant@seattle.gov.

Rainier/Jackson Project (Metro Route 7 and other routes) Phase I of the Rainier/Jackson Corridor improvement project is complete. New bus bulbs, crosswalks and queue jumps are in place. In phase II SDOT will install transit signal priority and electronic real time arrival information signs with a fiber optic network. Rainier/Jackson Project Website TPCI Rainier Corridor Mailer 2/10/10 Transit Improvements Coming to Rainier Avenue FAQ about Rainier/Jackson Project FAQ about on-street parking changes on Rainier Ave For questions about the Rainier/Jackson corridor, contact Jonathan Dong at Jonathan.Dong@seattle.gov.

Current Transit Priority Corridor Projects -

Ballard-Uptown Project (Metro Route 15 and other routes, future RapidRide D Line) SDOT is working closely with Metro to develop this corridor which serves downtown, Belltown, Uptown, Interbay, Ballard and Crown Hill. Metro is managing and funding the project.  Upon completion, average bus travel time in this corridor should drop by 10-20%. 2010 Ballard-Uptown Information Sheet King County Metro’s RapidRide D Line website For questions about the Ballard-Uptown corridor, contact Jonathan Dong at Jonathan.Dong@seattle.gov.

NW Market/45th Project (Metro Route 44 and other routes)

This corridor links Ballard, Phinney Ridge, Fremont, Wallingford and the University District. It is home to one of the most heavily used Metro routes in the system, the 44. Improvements include bus bulbs, queue jumps, and stop consolidation resulting in faster and more reliable service.  The project could speed up Route 44 by up to 20%.

• NW Market/45th Project Website
• NW Market/45th Travel Time Improvement Information

For questions about the NW Market/45th corridor, contact Jeff Bender at Jeff.Bender@seattle.gov.

	Rainier/Jackson Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS) Project  (Metro Route 7 and other routes) Phase I of the Rainier/Jackson Corridor improvement project is complete. New bus bulbs, crosswalks and queue jumps are in place.  In 2012, Phase II – Rainier/Jackson ITS - will install transit signal priority at six intersections and electronic real time bus arrival information signs at 13 high-ridership bus stops, along with a fiber optic network that will be available for use for numerous transit and non transit related purposes. Rainier/Jackson ITS Project Website (coming soon) For questions about the Rainier/Jackson corridor, contact Jonathan Dong at Jonathan.Dong@seattle.gov
	West Seattle Project (Metro Route 54 and other routes, future RapidRide C Line) SDOT is working hard to improve the right-of-way, ensuring fast and reliable headways from downtown through West Seattle, and terminating in White Center. RapidRide is scheduled to begin service in 2012. The plan includes designated bus lanes, queue jumps and transit signal priority to support the new service. SDOT West Seattle TPCI Project website featuring construction updates and information SDOT West Seattle RapidRide general information website For questions about the West Seattle corridor, contact Jonathan Dong at Jonathan.Dong@seattle.gov.
Future Transit Priority Corridor Projects-
	Aurora (Metro Route 358 and other routes, future RapidRide E Line) From downtown to Shoreline, work has taken place on Aurora to speed up buses and keep headways reliable, even during peak travel periods. RapidRide is scheduled to begin service here in 2013 which will bring even more benefits. Improvements include transit signal priority, BAT lane extensions and real time bus information displays. Metro’s RapidRide E line website For questions about the Aurora corridor, contact Jonathan Dong at Jonathan.Dong@seattle.gov.

Hubs

Opening of McGraw Square, 2011

Integrated, seamless transit systems rely upon hubs for smooth and reliable transfers between transit services. SDOT takes an active role to ensure that Seattle’s primary transit hubs are pedestrian friendly, safe and enjoyable places.
The three key intermodal hubs for in the Downtown area include:

• Westlake
• Colman Dock
• King Street Station

Recent hub improvements have included the opening of McGraw Square which is part of the Westlake Hub (pictured at left). As a nexus of light rail, buses, the Seattle Center Monorail, and the South Lake Union Streetcar, Westlake Hub connects thousands of people to destinations across the region, every day.

Visit the McGraw Square project website for details.

King Street Station

King Street Station is currently undergoing a $50 million renovation. The City teamed up with a variety of partners to restore the station, create a new pedestrian plaza on Jackson and much more. The work will ensure that King Street Station is a vital hub and gateway to Seattle for another hundred years.

Visit the King Street Station website for details.

Spot Improvements

SDOT and Metro collaborate to implement targeted spot improvements around the city. These improvements utilize the same approach that drives the transit priority corridor projects, but spot improvements are lower cost and have a faster turn-around time. Bridging the Gap has helped fund a variety of projects like this, from a new queue jump at Columbia Street and Second Avenue to bus lanes on Battery Street and Wall Street.

SDOT Spot Improvement Toolbox:

Bus bulbs: SDOT constructs sidewalk extensions at some high volume bus stops. A wider sidewalk improves passenger waiting areas and eliminates the need for buses to merge in and out of traffic.
 
Example here

Transit lanes: Transit lanes help move bus riders efficiently and improve safety for everyone on the road.

Example here

Queue jumps: Short bus-only lanes at signals allow transit to bypass traffic lined up at intersections. SDOT has built and is planning queue jumps at numerous locations around the city.

Example here

Transit signal priority: Signals are adjusted to give buses  extra time to get through intersections. The signal will either change to green earlier than normal in response to an approaching bus or stay green longer than normal to allow an approaching bus enough time to pass through. The signal then recovers over the next cycle to return to its normal phasing.

Arterial Asphalt and Concrete Projects

Arterial Asphalt and Concrete (AAC) projects are major reconstructions of vital arterials. As such, they present excellent opportunities to improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Under the Complete Streets Ordinance adopted in 2010 Seattle must consider all users in the design of road projects. This assessment includes bus riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, freight, and automobiles. For a complete list visit the AAC website.

Current AAC projects that have significant transit benefits:
 
15th Avenue NE Reconstruction
This vital street for buses passing the University of Washington is currently undergoing major reconstruction. Transit improvements include:

• Northbound to westbound left turn restriction from 15th NE to NE 45th during the weekday afternoon rush hour
• Expanded bus stop waiting areas (bus bulbs) at three locations
• Bus stop consolidation where stops are too close together
• Increased pavement strength to handle the steady stream of bus traffic

Dexter Avenue
Stretching from Roy to the Fremont Bridge, this project features a major bicycle configuration upgrade and transit speed and reliability improvements:

• In-lane bus “island” stops to improve transit speed and reliability
• Better passenger amenities at bus stops

N/NW 85th St.
North and Northwest 85th streets carry a large volume of bus riders. Transit benefits of this 2012 paving project will include:

• Bus stop improvements including new shelters at some locations
• Sidewalk repair and replacement in some areas
• Provisions for new future electronic real-time signs at the busiest bus stops
• New lighting at dark bus stops
• ADA Enhancements

Increased Metro Service

With the passage of Bridging the Gap in 2006, Seattle entered into an agreement with King County Metro to pay for increased bus service on high ridership Seattle routes. Because of this partnership, many buses were added to Metro routes 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 26, 28, 44, 48, and 70 to increase frequency and coverage. The new service ramped up through late 2010 and is now funded through the expiration of “Bridging the Gap” at the end of 2015.

• Press Release 9/18/09: City Helps Increase Seattle Bus Service