|
News Release – March 19, 2026 |
|
|
Contact:
Karissa Braxton Lytle, Deputy Communications Director, Office of the Executive
KBraxton@kingcounty.gov
Jeff Switzer, Public Affairs Coordinator, King County Metro
jeff.switzer@kingcounty.gov
|
|
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined federal, state, and local partners and community members today to break ground on Metro’s RapidRide I Line. The project will upgrade Route 160 with 17 miles of improvements to speed up transit service and deliver new stations for riders in Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Service is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined partners and community members to mark the start of construction on the RapidRide I Line, a major step forward for fast, reliable transit in South King County.
The $174 million, 17-mile project will transform the existing Route 160 corridor, which currently serves about 5,000 daily riders, into a high-capacity transit line. The corridor serves one of the region’s most diverse areas and includes many residents who rely on transit to access jobs, education, and essential services. When complete, riders will benefit from faster trips, more frequent service, and improved connections across the regional transportation network.
“The groundbreaking of the RapidRide I Line delivers on a long-standing commitment to expand fast, reliable transit service in South King County,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “Auburn, Kent, and Renton are among the most diverse and fastest-growing communities in our region, and this new line will help more residents and families get to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential services without needing a car. Projects of this scale don’t happen overnight, and I’m grateful to the federal, state, county, and local partners who made today possible.”
This project is supported by nearly $80 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Program, along with more than $19 million in additional federal grants, $27.5 million in state funding, and $47.5 million in King County Metro funds.
Construction of the RapidRide I Line will also create economic opportunity by supporting small businesses and expanding access to careers in the trades. The contract with Stacy Witbeck meets the County’s requirement that at least 20% of the total contract value go to certified small or disadvantaged businesses, including women- and minority-owned firms.
The project also invests in workforce development, with a goal that 15% of total labor hours be completed by apprentices, helping build a pipeline of skilled workers. Additional efforts will focus on expanding access to these opportunities for women, people of color, economically disadvantaged youth, and people with disabilities. This work is further supported by federal equal employment requirements, including the Seattle area’s 7.2% participation goal for women in construction.
When service begins in 2027, RapidRide I Line buses will run every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 15 minutes most of the day. Riders are expected to travel 26 percent faster during the morning commute and nearly 30 percent faster during the evening commute, reducing travel times and improving reliability.
The project includes 82 RapidRide stations, along with new or upgraded crosswalks, mid-block crossings, curb ramps, and sidewalks, improving safety and access for people getting to and from transit.
The RapidRide I Line will strengthen regional connections by linking riders to downtown Renton, the future Renton Transit Center currently under construction, Kent Station, Auburn Station, the RapidRide F Line, future Sound Transit Stride S1 Line service, Sounder trains, and local bus routes. These connections will support access to destinations across the region.
“RapidRide is more than a bus line, it’s a commitment to delivering fast, reliable, high-quality transit that people can count on,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “This project reflects what we heard from the community, and it will make it easier for people to choose transit for their everyday trips.”
Metro designed the RapidRide I Line with input from riders and community members along the corridor. Through extensive engagement, the agency gathered feedback to help shape service, station design, and access improvements.
Project improvements by the numbers:
-
Corridor length: 17 miles
-
Ridership: the current Route 160 has about 5,000 weekday boardings
-
Population: There are about 75,000 people living within a half mile of the future RapidRide I Line, and nearly 40,000 people living within a quarter mile.
-
Transit stations: 82 RapidRide stations are planned with new features designed to improve customer safety and comfort.
-
Business-Access and Transit (BAT) lanes: 3 miles of BAT lanes
-
Intersections with transit-signal priority: 36 intersections
-
Upgraded sidewalks: 4 miles
-
New or upgraded pedestrian improvements: 53 new or upgraded crosswalks, 11 mid-block crossings, and 122 new or upgraded curb ramps. Each improvement provides safer, more reliable access to transit for everyone – people walking, rolling, or using mobility aids.
What People Are Saying:
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
“Strong public transit helps connect people to opportunity and keeps our communities thriving. That’s why I’m proud to support King County Metro as they break ground on the RapidRide I Line, which will provide faster, safer and more reliable service. I’ll always fight to deliver federal investments that help make projects like this possible to improve commutes, expand access to opportunity and build a transportation system that works better for Washington families.”
King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain
"Today’s groundbreaking reflects years of collaboration between King County, our cities, and community partners. Transforming Route 160 into the RapidRide I Line will bring more frequent, reliable service and strengthen connections between Renton, Kent and Auburn — making it easier for people across South King County to reach work, school and essential services.”
Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone
“Renton expects nearly 20,000 new jobs in the coming years, and services like the I Line offer ways to accommodate that increase in our workforce. The launch of the I Line means faster, reliable service between Auburn, Kent, and Renton – but also expands our access to the larger regional public transit options for South King County residents and commuters.”
“Projects like the RapidRide I Line are about connecting people to opportunity. For Kent residents, this new service will provide faster, more reliable transit to jobs, schools, and services across South King County. By linking Renton, Kent and Auburn, and connecting riders to regional bus and rail service, the I Line strengthens the transportation network that keeps our region moving. We’re proud to partner with King County Metro and our neighboring cities to bring these improvements to the Kent community.”
Auburn Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor-Turner
“The I-Line will be the first RapidRide route to serve Auburn and connect our downtown and northern business and residential districts with key destinations both within our community and to our neighboring Cities of Kent and Renton.”
Arya Nguyen, UW student and former Youth Mobility Board member
“Because of the I Line, freedom will become even more accessible to the youth in my community. Accessible public transit means not missing school, it means being able to attend afterschool clubs, it means learning about your community, and staying connected with your friends. To all of us who are still growing, and I don’t mean just youth, that freedom, to go wherever we please, is everything.”
Prem Subedi, Transit Advisory Commission Member and UW student
“I am excited to see that King County Metro service will become a reality in Kent, Auburn and Renton. RapidRide I line shows what is possible when communities, transit agencies, and elected officials invest in the future of mobility, where people are prioritized, not just cars.”
Jordan Freeman, 4Culture Senior Public Art Project Manager
“Through our partnership with King County Metro, 4Culture works to ensure that public art is part of the everyday experience of transit. RYAN! Feddersen’s SMALL BUT MIGHTY builds on the vision of the RapidRide Art Plan developed by Johnson| Ramirez, bringing Plateau and Interior Salish storytelling traditions to the I Line through artworks that reveal ‘Animal People’ traveling alongside us — transforming stations and retaining walls into places of recognition, humor, and shared presence.”
 |
|
|
|
|
|
