New Bus Only Lanes coming as part of Route 40 Project

Cross posted from SDOT Blog

As part of the Route 40 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor Project Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are in the process of installing bus only lanes—specifically Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes—a step toward more efficient streets that can move more people and goods. BAT lanes are bus-only lanes which allow general traffic to use the lane to make right turns at intersections and access driveways

What are Bus Only lanes?
Bus Only lanes are specially designated lanes that prioritize bus travel while still making space for other essential activities. Typically, buses and people biking can use these lanes, and people driving can access them too – but only for short trips to make right turns or get into driveways. These lanes are designed to strike a balance: improving transit reliability and speed while maintaining access to businesses and neighborhoods.

With Bus Only lanes, buses move more efficiently, reducing travel times and making your transit experience faster and more predictable. At the same time, businesses and nearby homes remain easy to reach by car and other modes of travel.

Why Bus Only lanes matter
Transit efficiency is at the heart of what makes cities move, and Bus Only lanes are a proven way to keep people moving quickly and safely. When buses aren’t stuck in traffic, they save time, minimize delays, and provide a more consistent service for riders.

Route 40 is the 5th highest ridership route Metro’s bus network with more than 8,800 average weekday daily boardings– an 7% increase from May 2024. Since the pandemic, ridership has grown every year. You can learn more about  Route 40 ridership at Metro’s Rider Dashboard.

Once the Route 40 project is complete, we’re expecting 5-10% transit travel time reductions overall, and approximately 14-17% travel time reductions between Ballard and Downtown specifically.

Besides saving time, more reliable buses make public transit a more attractive option for everyone. Route 40 buses are scheduled to arrive every 5 to 10 minutes during peak periods and stops are located approximately every quarter mile throughout the route.

When more people choose buses over personal cars, we reduce congestion for everyone, creating a positive ripple effect of smoother travel in the city’s transportation system.

Where are Bus Only lanes being installed?
The Route 40 project will add several segments of Bus Only lanes along the bus route, bringing a noticeable improvement for Route 40 riders.

Here’s where you can expect to see new Bus Only lanes:

• Holman Rd NW between 3^rd Ave NW and N 104^th St in the northbound direction. The existing two-way center turn lane will remain, allowing drivers to make left turns onto side streets.
• N 36th St in Fremont will gain an eastbound Bus Only lane, improving bus travel time through this busy area (note: the Fremont area Bus Only lanes will be installed as a later phase)
• Leary Ave NW will include a new northbound Bus Only lane, helping travel in this busy stretch for buses.
• NW Market St will benefit from both eastbound and westbound Bus Only lanes between 22nd Ave NW and 24th Ave NW.
• Westlake Ave N will see new Bus Only lanes in the northbound and southbound direction. There will be a new two-way center turn lane to help drivers access businesses and homes along the street.

Map of the Route 40 project area in Seattle. Graphic: SDOT

Keeping access open for everyone
One of the greatest strengths of Bus Only lanes is their flexibility. While buses get priority, drivers can still use the lane to make those important right turns and enter business driveways as needed. This ensures that businesses along the corridor remain accessible and that neighborhoods stay connected.

Specifically on Holman Rd NW, we’ve made careful design choices to preserve access. A two-way center turn lane will remain available, so drivers can still make mid-block left turns onto side streets without disrupting the flow of traffic. This balanced approach means we’re improving the bus system without compromising the needs of local communities.

The Route 40 project is another important step toward a smarter transportation future for Seattle. By introducing Bus Only lanes on streets like Holman Rd NW, N 36th St, Leary Ave NW, NW Market St, and Westlake Ave N, SDOT and Metro are helping residents and visitors alike enjoy faster, more reliable transit options. At the same time, these improvements maintain access to local businesses, neighborhoods, and essential services.