Eastlake Layover Facility: Increasing comfort, decreasing congestion

Throughout our system, Metro has locations designed to allow our operators to take breaks between their trips. These “layover facilities” provide operators the opportunity to have meals, take care of personal needs, and spend time away from the bus before going back to work.

Along Eastlake Avenue East in the South Lake Union neighborhood, Metro’s newest layover location is open. Built in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation, the Eastlake Layover Facility (ELF) meets the needs of our operators, while improving access for people driving, walking, and rolling in one of Seattle’s busiest transportation corridors.

Located on Eastlake Avenue East between Republican and Roy Streets, the ELF has 11 bus parking spaces, six off-street and five on-street. Built on state-owned land near Interstate 5, it is a focal point for transportation between downtown Seattle and south King County. This location currently has 3 routes that begin or end their service near the facility.

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In the past, buses between trips would park under the Washington State Convention Center, creating congestion for other vehicles and other modes of transportation traveling through the neighborhood. The ELF has created a centralized location for buses that takes them out of the flow of traffic while serving as a transfer point for operators coming on and off shifts.

The construction of the ELF has transformed the location, improving pedestrian access with the creation of new pedestrian crossings and updating some of the current crossings. There are dedicated bike lanes in both directions that allow cyclists to travel on the east and west side of Eastlake Avenue E. between Fairview Avenue N. and Stewart St. There’s also a shared-use path on the east side of Eastlake Avenue East between Roy and Mercer streets for people walking, biking, and rolling.

Community input played a role in the design and construction of the layover facility. Public input is responsible for the ELF having a metal and wood panel exterior, colorful accents and native plants evoking the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. We appreciate the patience of the people who live, work and travel around the ELF over the last two years as the construction of the facility took place.

As Metro continues its expansion of service, facilities such as the ELF and the layover facility in the Madison Valley for the RapidRide G line play a vital role in the comfort and safety of our operators.