Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project Update - March 14

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Thank you for your interest in the Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project to make transit an accessible, convenient, and reliable transportation choice for everyone living in, working in, and visiting the Rainier Valley. Please feel free to share this information with your fellow neighbors and encourage them to sign up to receive updates using this link.

Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project Update

Construction of the Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project began on September 3! Crews will work in segments along the project area through spring 2025.


Over the next two weeks, you will see the following construction activities near Rainier Ave S/S Grand St and Rainier Ave S/S Massachusetts St:

  • Beginning on Friday, March 14, crews will be demolishing the curbs, installing conduit, and repaving on the northeast corner of Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St
    • During this work, a single lane of both Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St will be closed to accommodate the work. Please expect delays for the next week around this intersection.

Weekend Work:

  • On Saturday, March 22, crews will finish installing overhead wires on the intersection of Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St. A single lane of traffic will be closed on both Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St to accommodate this work, please expect delays around this intersection.
    • During this work, a single lane of both Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St will be closed to accommodate the work. Please expect delays for the next week around this intersection.

Night Work:

  • As early as Monday, March 24, crews will be working at night from 7 PM - 5 PM. This work is expected to last about four nights.

What to expect during construction

Typical work hours are Monday - Friday, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During this time you can expect:

  • Temporary traffic revisions to accommodate construction vehicles and equipment
  • Temporary parking restrictions near work zones
  • Noisy construction activities, such as vehicle backup alarms for safety, heavy truck use, and the use of power tools.

Construction Progress

Crews installing new pedestrian signal at the northeast corner of Rainier Ave S and S Grand St.

Crews installing new pedestrian signal at the northeast corner of Rainier Ave S and S Grand St.

Crews paving asphalt around new ADA-compliant curb ramps at southeast corner of Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St.

Crews paving asphalt around new ADA-compliant curb ramps at southeast corner of Rainier Ave S and S Massachusetts St.

Project Background

Project map showing extension of northbound bus only lane on Rainier Ave S.

Project map showing extension of northbound bus only lane on Rainier Ave S, sidewalk repair work, and safety improvements at Rainier Ave S/S Grand St and Rainier Ave S/S College St.


This project includes the extension of the northbound bus lane on Rainier Ave S from S Walden St to S State St, along with other safety changes requested by community members to make it easier and safer to get around on this busy street. This project will improve the reliability of the Route 7 bus and get us ready for the future RapidRide R Line.

Through collaboration with King County Metro, our goal is to make transit an accessible, convenient, and reliable transportation choice. This project includes:

  • New red painted bus lane between S Walden St and S State St in the northbound direction
  • Sidewalk repair in areas where the most people walk and take the bus on Rainier Ave S
  • At S College St and S State St:
    • New signals to make it easier and safer for people to cross the street
    • New marked crosswalks
    • ADA-compliant curb ramps
    • New Streetlights

We've been reaching out to community members, community-based organizations, and businesses in the project area and will continue to do so in the next few weeks. We want to share construction information with neighbors and community members.

Please visit our website to learn more about the project, and sign up to receive project updates. You can email us at TransitLanes@seattle.gov or call at (206) 257-2201.


Sincerely,

Ching Chan
Public Engagement Lead
City of Seattle, Department of Transportation

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