A Major Milestone: Water Main Work Wraps Up on RapidRide J Line Project

Crews install a new water main pipe on Eastlake Ave E. Photo: SDOT

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At-a-glance:

We recently wrapped up water main work for the RapidRide J Line project!
By the numbers, we’ve installed:
- Over 9,000 feet of upgraded water main (the length of 25 football fields)
- 27 new fire hydrants
- 174 new connections to homes and businesses
This key milestone results in major benefits to the community by providing reliable, earthquake-resilient water infrastructure for years to come.
By replacing aging pipes, this effort ensures a dependable supply of clean drinking water, reliable water access for the Seattle Fire Department, and new pipes that meet modern standards, reducing the need for construction and maintenance in the future.
This effort was a close partnership with Seattle Public Utilities, who helped fund the utility work and support installation alongside the project contractor.
Read on to learn more and check out photos of the work. You can also visit our website for additional details.

We’ve reached a major milestone on the RapidRide J Line project! After months of dedicated work, we are happy to announce that we’ve completed the installation of the new water main under Eastlake Ave E. This marks a significant step forward and sets the stage for the next phases of construction.

This wasn’t just about putting in a few pipes. It was a massive undertaking that demonstrates the significant collaboration and effort required to build and maintain modern infrastructure. With this foundational work complete, we are ready to begin building the brand-new streets that will pave the way for frequent, reliable bus service when the new RapidRide J Line launches in 2027.

Watch our short video on YouTube highlighting the recently-completed water main work. Video: SDOT

The Challenge Beneath the Surface

Crews use a large orange excavator to demolish sections of the street to access underground water infrastructure. It is a sunny day with the shining above and buildings in the background. — *Crews demolish existing street pavement on Eastlake Ave E. Photo: SDOT*

Upgrading underground utilities is one of the most complex parts of any large-scale transit project. Before we could even think about building new bus lanes or stations, we worked with our partners at Seattle Public Utilities to address the aging infrastructure hidden beneath our city streets. The 100-year-old water main had served its purpose, and it was time for a modern upgrade to ensure reliable service for the community for years to come.

Crews use an excavator to dig a trench where new water main pipes will be installed. Buildings, trees, and cars are in the background. — *Crews dig a trench for the new water main pipes in Eastlake. Photo: SDOT*

A person works deep in a large trench as crews replace old water main infrastructure. Lots of dirt and pipes are visible in the image. — *Crews dig a trench for the new water main pipes in Eastlake. Photo: SDOT*

Map

A map graphic of the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle. An orange line extends along Eastlake Ave E from E Galer St to Fuhrman Ave E, with yellow shading nearby. — **Left:** Map of Eastlake showing homes and businesses that were temporarily impacted during the construction of the new water main service. The entire Eastlake neighborhood benefits from the new water main, with access to new fire hydrants and upgraded infrastructure that will require less maintenance in the future. **Right:** *Seattle Public Utilities crews work in a deep trench to install a new fire hydrant*. Images: SDOT & SPU

Workers wearing yellow hard hats and orange safety vests with the letters "SPU" or "Seattle Public Utilities" on them work inside a large trench. — **Left:** Map of Eastlake showing homes and businesses that were temporarily impacted during the construction of the new water main service. The entire Eastlake neighborhood benefits from the new water main, with access to new fire hydrants and upgraded infrastructure that will require less maintenance in the future. **Right:** *Seattle Public Utilities crews work in a deep trench to install a new fire hydrant*. Images: SDOT & SPU

What the Work Involved

Extensive Excavation: Crews carefully dug trenches in the U District and Eastlake, navigating a complex web of existing utilities like gas lines, electrical conduits, and communication cables.
Precise Installation: We replaced approximately 9,000 feet (the length of 25 football fields) of underground water main and 27 new fire hydrants. We also relocated 11 water meters and transferred 174 services to nearby businesses and homes. The new water main is designed to withstand earthquakes and provide a more robust and dependable water supply.
Community Coordination: This work happened in the heart of bustling neighborhoods. Our team worked closely with residents and businesses to manage traffic impacts, maintain access, keep businesses open during the day, and minimize disruption as much as possible.

A large yellow excavator is used to dig a trench. Large buildings are in the background. Large pipes are in the foreground. — *Crews use an excavator to dig a trench for the new water main pipes in Eastlake. Photo: SDOT*

A large pipe is placed into a trench in a city street area, with large buildings in the background. — *Crews use an excavator to dig a trench for the new water main pipes in Eastlake. Photo: SDOT*

Completing this phase required a tremendous partnership between our project team, Seattle Public Utilities, construction crews working in the field, and the businesses and people who live, work, and travel in these neighborhoods. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support during construction.

What’s Next? Paving the Way for RapidRide J!

Construction workers installing new concrete pavement in a city with large buildings and trees in the background. — *Crews prepare to pour new concrete on Eastlake Ave E near Harvard Ave E. Photo: SDOT*

Newly installed concrete pavement in a city with large buildings and trees in the background. — *New concrete on Eastlake Ave E near Harvard Ave E. Photo: SDOT*

With new storm drainage and the new water main now fully in service, our focus shifts from underground to above ground. Completing this utility work unlocks the next major phase of the project: street construction. This is where you’ll begin to see our neighborhoods transform to support the future RapidRide J Line.

This next stage involves rebuilding the street to prepare it for the new bus service and bike lanes, and to improve travel safety and accessibility for everyone.

Key activities will include:

Paving: We will reconstruct and pave large sections of the street to create a smoother, quieter, and more durable surface.
Sidewalk and curb upgrades: You’ll see new sidewalks and curbs built to improve pedestrian safety and ensure ADA accessibility.
Installing new protected bike lanes: We will connect more sections of Seattle’s growing bike network by adding new bike lanes and protected by concrete buffers in the U District and along Eastlake Ave E.
Intersection improvements: We’ll reconfigure intersections to enhance traffic flow and create safer crossings for people walking, biking and scooting.
Coordination with private development: Eastlake is growing and the project team continues to work with private developers to, whenever possible, provide access to install their underground connections while we have the street dug up, reducing further impacts to the community.

This street construction lays the essential groundwork for the project’s final, most visible elements. It prepares the communities of Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the U District for the arrival of fast and frequent transit, something we’re excited to bring to fruition.

Look for More Bus Infrastructure Coming Soon

People step onto a RapidRide bus which is red, black, and yellow, from a sidewalk and bus station to the left. — *Example of a RapidRide bus shelter and boarding area along the RapidRide H Line route. Photo courtesy of King County Metro*

As we move through the street construction phase and step into the new year ahead, the physical elements of the RapidRide J Line will start to take shape. This is when the project features will begin to feel more tangible for residents and future transit riders.

Keep an eye out for the emergence of new bus infrastructure, such as:

Bus Stations: You will see new, well-lit stations being constructed, complete with real-time arrival information and weather protection.
Bus-Only Lanes: Dedicated red bus lanes will be painted, giving buses a clear path to travel without getting stuck in traffic.
Bus Islands: Raised concrete islands will be built to make boarding safer and more efficient for all passengers.

Completing the water main work is more than just an infrastructure update; it’s a critical step that brings us closer to delivering a world-class transit experience. We are excited to build on this momentum and continue making progress toward the RapidRide J Line’s start of service in 2027. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

To Learn More

Visit the project web page and sign up for email updates
Reach the project team by calling (206) 257-2202 or emailing rapidride@seattle.gov

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