RapidRide in Seattle in pre-pandemic days. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr. The RapidRide J Line (Roosevelt) Project is still on course to provide high-quality rapid transit service connecting Downtown Seattle with the neighborhoods of South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the University District.
In partnership with King County Metro (Metro), to address budget shortfalls related to COVID-19, we plan to shorten the RapidRide J Line route. The modified route will end within one block of the U District Link light rail station – instead of the Roosevelt Link light rail station.
Join the project team virtually to learn more about the changes on Wednesday, December 9 from 4 – 6 p.m. Use this link to register for & join the webinar.
We worked with Metro to develop a plan to shorten the RapidRide J Line route that still supports safe and efficient travel along the route, but helps address budget shortfalls brought on by economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This also takes advantage of the multitude of transit alternatives in the North Link restructure.
In designing the shortened route, we worked together to balance the importance of transit speed, reliability, capacity, access, and connections; environmental and community impacts; and cost, funding, and timing impacts.
This project will upgrade the existing Route 70. It will increase transit speed, reliability, and capacity, serving high levels of existing ridership and future population and employment growth. We also plan to install protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave E, north of Fairview Ave N. As originally planned, we anticipate these protected bike lanes will open when RapidRide J Line service starts.
Buses will layover northbound on 12th Ave NE before heading east on NE 45th St to the first southbound stop at NE 45th St and University Way NE. The route will continue south on 15th Ave NE, then west along NE 43rd St and continue south on Roosevelt Way NE to Eastlake, South Lake Union and downtown.
The revised route features:
- Direct connections to the U District Link light rail station
- Easy access to the University of Washington campus
- Paving and upgrades to NE 43rd St for people walking and rolling
- Simplified transit connections to the U District Link light rail station, including a bus layover planned on 12th Ave NE
- Multiple transit options for riders traveling north from the U District Link light rail station. Riders can continue by bus on Routes 45, 67, 73, or by Route 361 from downtown. Riders can also continue on the light rail to the Roosevelt station or Northgate station.
This route will continue to improve transit speed, reliability, safety, and connections between the Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, and University District neighborhoods, and improve transportation connections for people walking, rolling, biking, and taking transit.
Learn more:
- Explore the revised route.
- Join the project team virtually for more information on Wednesday, December 9 from 4 – 6 p.m.
- We’re always interested in meeting with community and neighborhood groups that want to learn more about the project and make their voices heard. You can request a briefing by emailing RapidRide@seattle.gov or calling (206) 684-5189.