RapidRide I Line newsletter (December 2025)

Call for Artists: Moving Stories

As King County’s population grows, Metro is expanding its RapidRide system to help meet rider needs. With this expansion comes an opportunity to highlight the communities RapidRide currently serves – and will serve in the future – across lines A-K and R. That’s why Metro is partnering with 4Culture to commission six artists to create twelve short-form graphic novels. Each graphic novel will reflect community stories and histories, convey a strong sense of place, and inspire transit riders to engage more deeply with the unique identities of the areas they travel through along all existing and planned RapidRide lines. This new series, Moving Stories is inspired by the RapidRide Art Plan, created by Johnson|Ramirez (Elisheba (Johnson) Wokoma + Kristen Ramirez) and illustrated by Aaron Bagley. For Johnson|Ramirez, each line is “a map of community.” The expansion of RapidRide is framed not just as infrastructure, but also as an expansion of our shared relationships— “our connection to each other and the places that we need.”

This is a unique opportunity for individual artists working in illustrative storytelling, cartooning, comics, and related visual media. No prior public art experience is required, and artists with ties to the RapidRide lines or the communities along the corridors they serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application closes on January 13 (4pm PST). Apply now!

RapidRide I Line is coming to Renton, Kent and Auburn

King County Metro is preparing to build 17 miles of new RapidRide service in Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Construction will begin this fall. Once I Line is in service in 2027 it will provide connections to the Renton Transit Center, Kent Transit Center and Auburn Station. The I Line will also connect riders to the RapidRide F Line, Sound Transit buses; Sounder Train; and local bus service, making it easier for people to travel to and from regional destinations and access a network of local bus routes. Metro is building RapidRide I Line to meet a critical need for improved north-south transportation options in south King County. Visit our new website to check out our interactive map and learn about the passenger stations, and other improvements this project will bring!

Gathering input from community

Update: Currently, this project is in its early part of the construction phase. Right now, the contractor is getting paperwork ready for major items that need to be ordered and manufactured well in advance, working on traffic control plans for approval, and fine-tuning the project schedule.

What to expect during construction

Construction activity, mainly along roads and sidewalks, is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Typical work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4:00 pm, with some nighttime and weekend work. Construction may cause temporary changes or disruptions to your usual access or travel patterns along the RapidRide I Line route. The contractor will work in designated construction zones with potential temporary local impacts over the course of the project.

During construction, you can expect:

• Temporary parking restrictions
• Periodic lane and driveway closures
• Large machinery and truck activity
• Construction staging and parking impacts near some construction sites
• Some sidewalk, intersection, and lane closures
• Detours for people walking, biking, and rolling
• Temporary bus detours and bus stop relocations for Route 160 and other area transit and bus routes.

Community Highlights

Renton

The Festival of ‘the Silk Road’

January 3 | 4PM-9:30PM | IKEAS Performing Arts Center (400 S. 2^nd St.) Come together for a cultural journey filled with music, dance, and delicious food at the Festival of ‘the Silk Road. Learn more.

Kent

Yeti Scavenger Hunt

Ongoing until December 31 | Times vary | Participating businesses. To celebrate Small Business Saturday and the holiday season, Kent is launching a fun event to show support for local businesses. Tiny yetis have made their way to historic downtown Kent, and we need your help to track them down.  Search for the hidden yetis, complete your passport, and submit it below for a chance to win awesome prizes from local businesses. Learn more.

Folded Paper Winter Trees

December 20 |3PM – 4PM | Kent Panther Lake (20500 108th Ave SE). Learn to make folded paper trees. You can make your trees in a variety of colors. Create a winter scene or add on decorations to make Christmas trees. For tweens, teens, and adults. Ages 9 and up only. No registration required. Learn more.

3^rd Annual Winter Craft Day

December 20 | 11AM-4PM| Kent Historical Museum (855 E Smith St). Celebrate the season with Filipino-inspired crafts! Make a colorful parol, the star lantern symbolizing hope and light, and share cozy winter stories and traditions that bring everyone together. All are welcome to join us for this FREE family event! Hot chocolate will be available, donations are gladly accepted. Learn more.

Auburn

A Season of Giving and Sharing Family Day

December 13 | 10AM-2PM | White River Valley Museum (918 H St SE). Join the White River Valley Museum for a fun-filled holiday themed family day with free activities and crafts from all the winter holidays. Holiday storytelling at 12 PM with renowned storyteller Karen Haas. Register here.

Second Saturdays – Marbled Ube Cookies

December 13 | 12PM-4PM | Postmark Center for the Arts (20 Auburn Ave)

Learn to bake marbled ube cookies with Clarissa Grace Gines! This will be a participatory, hands-on workshop where you will have the opportunity to follow along and make your own batch of cookies! During the demo, you will also learn about the history of ube, a vibrantly purple Filipino tuber that has gained popularity in recent years. You will leave the demo with freshly baked cookies and the cookie recipe for you to recreate at home! Register here.

Repair Cafe! Get your broken items fixed for free!

December 18 | 3PM-7PM | Messiah Lutheran Church (410 H St NE). Free fix-it event! Hosted by the South King Tool Library and the City of Auburn. Bring your damaged furniture, broken small household items, dull knives, and torn clothing. Our fixers will do their best to make your items usable again! Learn more about what can be repaired.