Thanks to voter-approved funding through the Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure, buses will run more smoothly during Revive I-5, other summer construction, and beyond, improving the citywide transit network and keeping people moving.
Blog stats: 1300 words; 7-minute read
We’ve completed major improvements along Aurora Avenue N in partnership with King County Metro, adding expanded 24/7 bus lanes from downtown Seattle to N 145th St, the city’s northern limits!
These all-day bus-only lanes improve frequency and reliability on Metro’s highest-ridership route, the RapidRide E Line, for nearly 14,000 transit riders daily.
The expanded bus lanes arrived just in time for people to give the bus a try in anticipation of expected additional traffic on Aurora Ave N during the Revive I-5 lane closures starting on July 18. The improved service is poised to make bus commuting smoother and more reliable. The bus lanes take the city closer to a bus system where a schedule isn’t needed, so riders can arrive at their bus stop and enjoy service every 5 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day.
Project highlights include:
- Over 600 new traffic and no parking signs installed
- New red pavement markings added to designate bus-only areas south of the Aurora Bridge in the northbound direction, to match the existing southbound bus-only lanes
- People driving and making deliveries can use the bus-only lane to make right turns or reach local shops and services
- On-street parking and loading shifted to side streets, with a few signed exceptions
- Coming soon: Refreshed curb paint at 28 bus zones between N 38th St and N 115th St
We are co-creating a new design vision for the Aurora Ave N corridor with neighbors and businesses. It is focused on improving safety, mobility, and accessibility for everyone who uses this vital route. This work will shape the long-term future of 24/7 bus lanes and guide other key improvements along the corridor.
Transit keeps people moving. As part of our 20-year vision to empower people to get where they need using low-cost and sustainable options, we have recently upgraded several transit lines in Seattle thanks to voter-approved funding. This includes:
- Improvements along Route 44 and Route 48.
- Improvements for the RapidRide D line on 15th Ave NW between NW Market St and the Ballard Bridge.
- Expansion of Rainier Ave S bus-only lanes to support Route 7 as well as pedestrian access and safety improvements.
- Installation of bus-only lanes at five locations along the Route 40 Line, and future pilot of a freight and bus lane along Westlake Ave N
- Completing the RapidRide G Line Project, which began service last year and is averaging over 6,100 weekday boardings. This makes it one of the top 15 routes in the system.
This comes alongside other work made possible by the Seattle Transit Measure including service investments to make buses come more frequently, distributing free ORCA cards to more than 10,000 Seattle Housing Authority residents and hosting field trips to familiarize seniors with their transit options.
This work in Seattle is coupled with Sound Transit’s Link light rail expansion, and other efforts to make using transit even easier and more accessible including free bus trips for youth 18 and younger funded by the State. With the culmination of these efforts and important partnerships with King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, regional agencies can help get people where they need to go – be it work, school, an appointment, or simply to enjoy a fun event or experience in the city and across the region.
The Aurora Ave N 24/7 bus-only lane project and the other initiatives mentioned are only possible thanks to local funding from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure, in addition to contributions from King County Metro.
What people are saying:
“Aurora Ave N is a critical corridor for Seattle, and the addition of 24/7 bus-only lanes is a step toward a more connected and sustainable future. This initiative not only ensures easier, more reliable transit during this summer’s construction but also reflects our broader commitment to accessible transit for all. This is just one of the many innovative steps we’re taking to improve transit, connect neighborhoods, and build a stronger, more united Seattle.” – Mayor Bruce Harrell
“Thanks to the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure, we continue to make significant progress toward a more connected and equitable city through investments in our transit system. The round-the-clock bus-only lanes on Aurora Avenue N represent an essential step forward for transit in Seattle, ensuring quicker, more dependable service for the nearly 14,000 daily riders of King County Metro’s RapidRide E Line. These improvements not only help people get where they need to go faster but also support our broader goals of sustainability and accessibility as we create a future where every Seattle resident has access to reliable, low-cost transportation options.” – SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery
“These lanes will benefit thousands of people per day-including the 14,000 daily riders of the RapidRide E Line, Metro’s most popular route. A single bus lane can move far more people than a lane filled with cars. Bus lanes are simply a smart, low-cost way to deliver faster, fairer and greener transportation.” – King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison
“We are thrilled that the red carpet has been rolled out for transit riders on Aurora. With 14,000 daily riders, this is the busiest bus line in the entire state. Starting today, these 24/7 bus lanes will save minutes for every single bus rider, each way, every single day. And those add up. They add up to more time with family and friends, and more opportunities within reach. These bus lanes are a model for how we can get transit riders moving, and we can’t wait to see more of them. I want to thank Mayor Harrell, Director Emery, General Manager Allison for their bold vision and for delivering on these bus lanes for transit riders.” – Kirk Hovenkotter, Transportation Choices Coalition
“Aurora Reimagined Coalition is overjoyed at the important step forward by the City of Seattle to truly prioritize public transportation along Aurora – this will support the tens of thousands of Seattleites who walk, ride and bus along Aurora. We are confident that this bold change will help existing riders dependably get to where they need to go and will help quickly bring in new riders.” – Aurora Reimagined Coalition
“The Transit Advisory Board(TAB) Co-chairs welcome the expanded bus lanes operations on Aurora Ave N, which serves the busiest bus route in the state of Washington. This project will increase ridership and improve the RapidRide E Line’s reliability, creating a safer, more efficient roadway for all. We encourage SDOT to explore making the 24/7 enforced bus lanes north of the bridge permanent, even after the Revive I-5 project is completed, to ensure that these safety and reliability gains will not be lost.” – Zach Burton & Ashwin Bhumbla, Transit Advisory Board Co-Chairs
“I’m so excited about the 24/7 bus lanes!! Thank you for implementing such a wonderful change for bus reliability. I live right off Aurora and ride the E line frequently, so I’m delighted with the changes.” – Grace, Aurora neighbor
“As a frequent E Line rider, I’m excited for the upgrade to 24/7 bus lanes on Aurora. Hopefully this will mean fewer people accidentally parking in the bus lanes during rush hour and negatively impacting the E Line’s reliability. I hope these upgrades will remain even after the I-5 construction is over. Thanks for thinking of us transit riders, especially on such a busy route.” – Alison, Aurora neighbor
“I just wanted to say that this was long overdue. Thank you to whoever is working to get this done!” – John, Aurora neighbor