RapidRide I Line construction update (June 2026)
Metro’s Next Stop
| King County is growing and Metro must evolve as the needs of its residents and visitors change. To guide this growth, Metro worked with riders, community partners, cities, and employers to shape Metro’s Next Stop, the agency’s roadmap to 2038.
Throughout the county, we heard the same message: people care deeply about high-quality transit service they can trust to bring them to their destinations safely, quickly and reliably. We listened.
Together, these investments will help build a transit system that better serves the people of King County today—and generations to come.
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Engage with the RapidRide I Line Community Engagement team |
| Our team is dedicated to keeping the community informed. With construction underway our team has been performing outreach in your neighborhood along the RapidRide I Line corridor to keep you informed.With construction underway our team has been performing outreach in your neighborhood along the RapidRide I Line corridor to keep you informed. This summer our team will be at your local farmers markets in Renton, Kent and Auburn. This is a great opportunity to engage with our team, ask questions, and learn how you can stay connected.
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Stop by our booth during the next Auburn Farmers Market on June 21. Visit our project website to learn where you can find us this summer.
RapidRide I Line is coming to Renton, Kent and Auburn
King County Metro has begun construction to build 17 miles of new RapidRide service in Renton, Kent, and Auburn. 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!
What to expect during construction
Construction activity, mainly along roads and sidewalks, is underway. Typical work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 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.
- Flaggers to direct traffic around work areas
Businesses are open and a safety reminder
Businesses remain open during RapidRide I Line construction. While the area may experience temporary changes in appearance and accessibility, businesses and services remain fully operational and ready to welcome customers. You will also see “Business Open During Construction” signs to help guide customers to nearby business locations.
When traveling near I Line construction areas, please stay alert to changing conditions. Work zones can shift daily, so it is important to watch for updated traffic patterns, signage, and the presence of drivers, pedestrians, and people biking or rolling. Construction along this corridor will continue through 2027, which means ongoing activity and potentially increased traffic.
Please follow all crew instructions, posted signs, and guidance from flaggers, whose role is to help keep both travelers and workers safe. Your attentiveness, patience, and courtesy help ensure that everyone in the public right‑of‑way can return home safely each day.
Renton
Talbot Rd S & S 32nd St
- Work occurring on the east side of Talbot Rd S from May 28 to June 12
- Sidewalk installation
Talbot Rd S & S 23rd St
- Work occurring on the east side of Talbot Rd S from June 18 to July 1
- Initial survey, traffic control setup, silt fence
- Saw cutting, sidewalk, curb removal
- Storm drain installation
- Forming and installation of shelter footings
- Fine grading for curbs and sidewalk
- Pave curbs, gutter, sidewalk
SE Carr Rd & Wells Ave S & Mills Ave S
- Work occurring on the south side of Carr Rd S from June 4th to the 10th
- Backfill shelter footing
- Remove temporary pedestrian path and grade
- Sidewalk installation
SE Carr Rd & 105th Pl SE
- Work occurring on the south side of Carr Rd S and west side of 105th Pl SE from June 12th to July 14th
- Electrical underground work
- Grading for and paving curb, ADA ramp
- Prep for and place shelter footings and tech pylon
- Install remaining sidewalk
108th Ave SE & SE 180th St
- Work occurring on the south and north sides of SE 180th St from June 8th to the 15th
- Install shelter footings
- Install remaining sidewalk
Kent
E Smith & State Ave N
- Work occurring on the south side of E Smith St from June 8th to the 17th
- Install perimeter fencing around the work zone
- Building abatement, utility capping, and demolition
Central Ave S & S 259th St
- Work occurring on the east side of Central Ave S from June 4th to the 15th
- Concrete work
- Light pole installation
- Install bollards
- Work occurring on the west side of Central Ave S from June 15th to July 3rd
- Install silt fence and tree protection
- Saw cutting and curb, gutter, sidewalk removal
- Prep for shelter footings
- Concrete installation for sidewalk, curb, gutter, and shelter footings.
- Underground electrical and light pole installation
108th Ave SE & SE 200th St
- Work occurring on the east side of 108th Ave SE on June 3rd
- Sidewalk installation
08th Ave SE & SE 216th St
- Work occurring on the east side of 108th Ave SE from June 8th to July 3rd
- Remove existing storm pipe
- Water line installation
- Mainline water connections
- Remove existing waterline & backfill
- Grade for shelter footing, curb, gutter
- Electrical underground and light pole foundations
- Curb and gutter concrete installation
- Shelter footing installation
108th Ave SE & SE 220th St
- Work occurring on the east and west sides of 108th Ave SE from June 1st to the 24th
- Silt fence, saw cutting, curb/sidewalk removal
- Storm drainage installation
- Curb and gutter installation
- Sidewalk installation
- Roadway pavement grinding
- Paving prep
- Asphalt paving
Benson Rd SE & SE 224th St
- Work occurring on the east side of Benson Rd SE from June 2nd to the 19th
- Electrical underground work
- Grading for curb and driveway
- Curb and driveway installation (installing driveway in two stages, one half at a time to maintain access)
- Shelter footing
- Sidewalk pour
104th Ave SE & SE 248th St
- Work occurring on the east side of 104th Ave SE from June 1st to the 16th
- Grading for sidewalk & driveway
- Sidewalk & driveway installation
- Curb, gutter, and roadway paving
- Work occurring on the west side of 104th Ave SE from June 18th to July 3rd
- Saw cutting, curb, gutter, and sidewalk removal
- Drainage installation
- Install underground electrical and light pole foundations
- Install shelter footings
- Install sidewalk, curb, gutter
- Asphalt paving of roadway
104th Ave SE & SE 235th St
- Work occurring on the east side of 104th Ave SE from June 1st to the 25th
- Underground electrical and foundations
- Install curb and gutter
- Form shelter and pylon footings
- Install shelter footings
- Pave sidewalk
Canyon Dr SE & 94th Ave SE
- Work occurring on the west side of Canyon Dr SE on June 18th to the 19th
- Temporary traffic camera installation for signal work
Auburn
Auburn Way N & 22nd St NE
- Work occurring on the east and west sides of Auburn Way from June 10th to the 19th
- Install protective bollards east and west sides of Auburn Way
- Landscaping work around the future station areas on the east and west sides
- Light pole foundation installation and sidewalk panel installation around the new pole on the west side
Auburn Way N & 2nd St NE
- Work occurring on the east side of Auburn Way N from June 8th to the 26th
- Install shelter and tech pylon footings, then grade for remaining concrete work.
- Landscape preparation (west and east sides of Auburn Way N)
- Concrete installation for station platform and sidewalk.
- Install brick pavers
2nd St SW and A St SW
- Work occurring on the east and west sides of A St SW from June 15th to July 4th
- Electrical underground work and light pole relocation
- Storm drainage installation
- Curb and light pole foundation demolition
- Grading for new curb and sidewalk
- Curb installation
- Temporary pavement patching
- New sidewalk installation
Community highlights
Renton
June 19 | 10AM to 4PM | Legacy Square | Piazza Park, Downtown Renton. Come on out for the Juneteenth Game Day Pop-Up at Piazza Park, a celebration of community, culture, and creativity, featuring black-owned brands and businesses, a DJ, an interactive art experience, and more, adjacent to the energy of the Legacy Square Watch Party. Learn more.
Kent
Live Music at Retro Emporium
June 20 | 7PM | 328 W Meeker St
Experience a unique night of underground sounds at Retro Emporium, where Kent’s premier vintage shop transforms into an intimate DIY music venue. This all-ages showcase features four distinct live acts performing from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., offering an eclectic mix of local talent surrounded by a one-of-a-kind collection of 80s and 90s pop-culture treasures. Learn more.
Auburn
Juneteenth at the Market
June 21 | 10AM to 3PM | Les Gove Park, 910 9th St SE Auburn
Come celebrate Juneteenth at the Market with the City of Auburn, hosted by the Office of Equity, Engagement & Outreach and Auburn Farmers Market. This federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery and liberation of Black people in the United States. This is a perfect event for the whole family to enjoy.
Participate in community fellowship, support local small businesses, and learn from community leaders. Enjoy amazing local artists, musicians, and vendors. Learn more.
