RapidRide H Line service is scheduled to launch on March 18! King County Metro has been working in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the City of Burien to upgrade Metro Bus Route 120 — one of our 10 busiest routes — to the RapidRide H Line. We’re excited to bring more reliable and more frequent service, along with new stations and amenities to the Seattle, White Center, and Burien communities!
While RapidRide H Line service will begin next month, we do anticipate needing to complete some paving and punch list work throughout the spring. Specifically, there is outstanding paving work that requires warmer temperatures. This work will not impact bus service.
We will continue sending email updates monthly to keep you informed on what to expect near you. We’ll also be reaching out to route neighbors, businesses, and local community organizations throughout construction to notify them when and where work will happen, as well as what impacts to expect.
Please feel free to share this information with your neighbors and encourage them to sign up for project email updates.
Businesses are open during construction
With construction ongoing throughout the project area, Metro is reminding the public that businesses throughout the project area remain open. Visit our Metro Matters blog to learn more about Metro’s ongoing work in the Seattle, White Center and Burien communities.
Upcoming striping for Business Access and Transit lanes
BAT lanes in Seattle (photo from Seattle Department of Transportation)
Construction teams are now striping new Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes in White Center and Burien. BAT lanes are curbside lanes used only by right-turning vehicles and buses. They help buses move more efficiently through traffic and provide better access to businesses. BAT lanes will be installed along 16th Ave SW between SW 107th St and SW 116th St, and on Ambaum Blvd SW between SW 128th St. and SW 148th St. Some lane closures and detours will be in place during this work
Join us for our virtual construction office hours
- Feb. 23, 2023, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom
- Join us online (meeting ID: 228 271 1759) or by phone (1-253-215-8782)
- To request interpretation services for these virtual events, please contact us before the meeting via phone at 206-257-3079, or email us at rapidride@kingcounty.gov
What to expect during construction
Construction on the RapidRide H Line project began in June 2021 and is expected to last through Spring 2023. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with some nighttime and weekend work.
During construction, you can expect:
- Noise, vibrations, and dust in the project area
- Temporary parking restrictions
- Periodic lane and driveway closures
- Large machinery and truck activity
- Construction staging and parking impacts near the construction site
- Some sidewalk, intersection, and lane closures
- Detours for people walking, biking, and rolling
- Temporary bus detours and bus stop relocations for Route 120 and other area transit and bus routes
- Flaggers to direct traffic around work areas
Map of active RapidRide H Line construction zones, including future RapidRide route and stations, road closures and detours, and temporary bus stop relocations
Seattle
Crews Grading and forming the sidewalk at 15th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street
20th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street
- Grading, forming and pouring sidewalk, curb, and roadway panels
- Forming and pouring ADA- compliant ramps
15th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street
- Demolition of pole foundation
- Forming and pouring sidewalk and ADA-compliant
White Center
Crews pouring the barrier curb at 15th Avenue SW and SW 102nd Street
SW 102nd Street and 15th Avenue SW
- Installing retaining wall
- Installing fence posts
- Forming and pouring curb
- Installing handrail
SW 107th Street and 15th Avenue SW
- Demolishing curb
- Installing handrail
Burien
Crews installing bus shelter amenities at Ambaum Boulevard and SW 128th Street
Ambaum Boulevard and SW 128th Street
- Grading, forming, and pouring curb and gutter
- Forming and pouring sidewalks and driveways
Ambaum Boulevard SW and SW 148th Street
- Installing handrails
SW 150th Street and 3rd Ave SW*
- Grading sidewalks
- Forming and pouring sidewalks and ADA- compliant ramps
*Please note that we have temporarily closed the left turn pocket until additional signage has been installed. We are also working with the project team to study the traffic patterns and lane widths to ensure conditions are safe during construction and once construction is complete.
Community Happenings
RapidRide Service Launch Event
Stay tuned more details about our plans for the launch of RapidRide H Line service in the coming weeks.
If you have community events to share in the area that you would like us to attend, let us know by emailing us at rapidride@kingcounty.gov.
Answers to your commonly asked questions
What is RapidRide H Line?
RapidRide H Line, previously known as Route 120, is one of our 10 busiest routes. It will provide connections from neighborhoods in Burien, White Center, and West Seattle to downtown Seattle along Third Avenue. RapidRide H Line will also provide needed connections to other bus routes and Link light rail.
How is RapidRide H Line different from Route 120?
RapidRide H Line buses will operate more reliably, and riders will have access to more peak commute trips operating in the reverse direction and more trips operating at night on weekends. Bus stops will be upgraded with new shelters, lighting, and real-time arrival information to improve your experience. Sidewalks, street crossings, and signals will be improved around stations for pedestrians, bikes, and those with limited mobility. Additionally, new business access and transit (BAT) lanes will be added to improve travel times for transit and provide better access to businesses for drivers.
What are the construction hours and how long will construction last?
Typical work hours for the RapidRide H Line project are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with some nighttime and weekend work. Majority of construction is expected to last through March 2023 with some construction to last beyond 2023.
Will access to businesses be maintained throughout construction?
Access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. We are reaching out to neighbors, businesses, and local community organizations in advance of construction near them to share when and where work will happen, as well as what impacts to expect.
Why was construction delayed previously?
Construction on RapidRide H Line was previously delayed due to a region-wide concrete driver worker strike.
Why does construction start at new locations without others being completed?
The limited and unpredictable availability of concrete resulted in crews balancing the work they can do with what materials are available to continue that work. In order to maintain the overall project schedule, we have begun several new locations where crews have the resources and materials to complete the work, while also pausing some work at other locations, as necessary. Crews are continuing to make swift progress on work throughout the project area and we look forward to being able to wrap up work at some sites throughout the project area later this summer.
Where is construction happening now?
Where crews are doing construction varies week by week. For more details about the locations where work is ongoing, see the “What’s Happening Now” section on our project website or visit our blog for more information. You can also sign up for project updates here.
What work will be done over the winter months?
Crews will focus on shelter installations, excavation, concrete pours, and landscaping over the winter months. See the construction map for more details. Low temperatures and consistent rain will require that paving work will shift into early this year when warmer temperatures return. In locations where work is paused, we will be securing equipment, consolidating traffic control, and covering open holes to ensure safe traveling conditions.
Question about construction? Contact us!
Thank you for your patience as we improve transit in your area. Keeping you informed and minimizing impacts are our top priorities. Throughout construction we will:
- Be available for questions
- Provide advance notice about construction through email updates, flyers, and other promotions
- Maintain access to businesses and residences
RapidRide H Line Outreach Team
- Construction hotline: 206-257-3079
- Email: rapidride@kingcounty.gov
- Webpage: gov/rapidride/h