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King County Metro proposes reliability and safety improvements for routes 21 and 50

ByJeff Switzer, King County Metro
Photo of bus on street

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King County Metro is working with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to make bus stop improvements in different Seattle neighborhoods. Metro has identified that bus service for routes 21 and 50 can become more reliable and safer by making improvements at three locations along First Avenue South in the SODO area.

According to analysis and transit operator feedback, buses face safety challenges and travel time delays when merging back into traffic from bus stops near South Lander and Hanford streets. This summer from July 11 through Aug. 8, Metro will inform nearby businesses and property owners about early concept designs that will provide improved or relocated bus shelters, improved lighting, and wider sidewalks that will allow buses to stay in-lane while riders board and exit. During this time Metro wants to receive any feedback, questions, or concerns about the proposed design concepts.

Metro and SDOT will work together on the design and construction phases for each proposed location of this project. Preliminarily, design work and public outreach are planned in 2025, construction in 2026 and project completion in 2027.

Map showing where bus stop improvements will take place on First Avenue South.
Map showing where bus stop improvements will take place on First Avenue South.

Design concept improvements

First Avenue South and South Lander Street

  • The sidewalk on the west side of First Avenue South will be widened to allow buses to stay in the traffic lane while riders board and exit the bus.
  • The bus stop will be relocated closer to the crosswalk.
  • The existing shelters will be replaced by a new shelter.
  • SDOT may create additional time-limited parking and/or load zones.
Project area 1 image description: This map shows the current bus stop on the west side of First Avenue South located south of South Lander Street. This proposed stop location will be relocated closer to South Lander Street.
This map shows the current bus stop on the west side of First Avenue South located south of South Lander Street. This proposed stop location will be relocated closer to South Lander Street.

First Avenue South and South Hanford Street

  • Sidewalks on both sides of First Avenue South will be widened to allow buses to stay in the traffic lane while riders board the bus. The left lane will remain open for other vehicles to pass a bus serving the stop.
  • SDOT may adjust time-limited parking and passenger load zones.
  • The driveway on the east side of First Avenue South near the bus zone will be removed and become part of the sidewalk that will be widened.
  • The passenger load zone on the west side of First Avenue South north of South Hanford Street near the bus stop will be removed.
Project area 2 image description: This map shows the current bus stops on First Avenue South located north of South Hanford Street. The proposed stop locations would move about a half of a bus length in each direction, farther south on the west side of First Avenue South and farther north on the east side of the same street.
This map shows the current bus stops on First Avenue South located north of South Hanford Street. The proposed stop locations would move about a half of a bus length in each direction, farther south on the west side of First Avenue South and farther north on the east side of the same street.

Contact us

For questions or feedback about the project, please contact us at community.relations@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9768.

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