Seattle's King County Metro and SDOT Join Forces to Enhance Bus Stops Citywide
King County Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) have unveiled plans to improve bus stops on routes 21 and 50 along First Avenue South. The project, aimed at enhancing safety and reliability, focuses on addressing challenges faced by buses when merging back into traffic at specific locations.
## Specific Improvements
At the intersection of First Avenue South and South Lander Street, the west sidewalk will be expanded to accommodate buses while passengers board and exit. The bus stop will also be relocated closer to the crosswalk, and existing shelters will be replaced with new ones. SDOT may create additional time-limited parking and/or load zones.
Similarly, at First Avenue South and South Hanford Street, both sidewalks will be widened to allow buses to serve the stop while maintaining a lane for other vehicles. SDOT may adjust time-limited parking and passenger load zones, convert the east side driveway into part of the widened sidewalk, and remove the passenger load zone on the west side north of South Hanford Street.
## General Improvements
The project includes the installation of improved or relocated bus shelters and enhanced lighting across all improved locations. Widened sidewalks will facilitate smoother bus operations and improve passenger safety.
## Timeline
Design and public outreach phases for the project are planned for 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the project targeted for completion by 2027. King County Metro started informing nearby businesses and property owners about early concept designs on July 11.
King County Metro and Seattle Department of Transportation are collaborating to make these bus stop improvements in Seattle. The designs, including those for First Avenue South and South Lander Street, First Avenue South and South Hanford Street, can be found on King County Metro's website.
- Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) may incorporate technology, such as time-limited parking and load zones, in the bus stop improvements for First Avenue South and various streets like South Lander and South Hanford, to manage traffic and ensure the smooth flow of transportation.
- The transportation industry, particularly King County Metro, is investing in the rail system by introducing expansions to bus stops along First Avenue South in collaboration with the industry's regulators, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
- To bolster the company's financial standing, King County Metro could potentially benefit from the upcoming asset acquisition of widened sidewalks and improved bus infrastructure, as these enhancements are planned for key locations such as First Avenue South and South Lander Street.
