  Water main work continues on Eastlake Ave E near the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge.
Our RapidRide J Line project will make it easier and more convenient for you to get around the University District, Eastlake, South Lake Union, and Belltown. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to class at the University of Washington, visiting the doctor, or shopping at local businesses, these upgrades will help you travel faster and more reliably.
As part of the project, we’ll upgrade streets, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, streetlights, and traffic signals. We’ll also add protected bike lanes and replace the water main on Eastlake Ave E. These upgrades will support our local businesses, make it easier for you to get to housing, and help create safer, more connected neighborhoods for everyone.
RapidRide J Line
Here’s what is included in this email update:
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Project Milestone: We Are 20% Complete!
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Where Work is Busiest
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Online Drop-In Sessions
Project Milestone: We Are 20% Complete!
Great news! The RapidRide J Line project is making excellent progress and is now more than 20% complete! This exciting milestone reflects our team's hard work and dedication as we continue to achieve significant advancements. All drainage work along Eastlake Ave E is set to be completed by the end of May, marking another major step forward. Additionally, we’ve begun paving roads in the University District, improving infrastructure for the community, and are nearing the completion of installing new water mains in various sections of the project. Stay tuned for more updates as we build momentum!
Where Work is Busiest
RapidRide J Line crews are active in various locations throughout the University District and Eastlake neighborhoods. Here’s what we are focusing on now:
Paving in the University District
 Crews are working to pave NE 43rd St between Roosevelt Way NE and 11th Ave NE.
Pavement replacement continues on NE 43rd St in the University District between Roosevelt Way NE and 11th Ave NE. Lanes will be reduced at intersections, but Roosevelt Way NE and 11th Ave NE remain open. Expect typical construction impacts like noise, dust, and vibrations. Pedestrian and cyclist access will remain.
Installing Electrical Cables in the University District
Underground electrical cable installation continues at several locations in the University District. From May 28 through May 30, crews will work at Roosevelt Way NE and NE 42nd St, requiring lane closures on NE 42nd St. At least one lane will be maintained, and flaggers will direct traffic. For pedestrians, periodic sidewalk detours will be needed for this work, and a signed detour will be in place.
Fuhrman Ave E Road Closure on Monday, May 19
 Road closure at Fuhrman Ave E and Eastlake Ave E on Monday, May 19.
On Monday, May 19, we will be paving the road on the west side of the intersection onto Fuhrman Ave E from Eastlake Ave E. We expect this work to take place from 9 AM to 3 PM, and last only one day. The work area will be closed to through-traffic but businesses and homes can be reached via Fairview Ave N.
Water main work from E Galer St to E Blaine St
We continue to replace Seattle Public Utilities’ 100-year-old water main on Eastlake Ave E from E Galer St to E Blaine St. Crews will dig trenches to remove the old water main and install a new one, which will require lane closures as we direct traffic around the work zone. This work will occur on weekdays and weekends. There will also be increased noise between 7 AM and 10 PM.
Upcoming Nightwork in Eastlake
 Night work at the intersection of Fairview Ave E and E Galer St.
Several activities will require us to work at night between 7 PM and 5 AM over the coming weeks. Please expect construction noise during these nights.
We will install new water lines off the Eastlake Ave E water main at Fairview Ave E at night on Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20. This change aims to minimize traffic impacts during the daytime.
 Pavement demolition to replace underground water lines.
Additionally, we will break up the road to access utilities on Fairview Ave N, between Aloha St and Ward St. This work is expected to begin as soon as Thursday, May 22, and end on the morning of Saturday, May 24. We will be working overnight to avoid disruptions to streetcar service. It requires heavy machinery and demolition, so please expect loud noise from this work.
Starting Wednesday, May 28, we will work overnight on E Lynn St to install new drainage systems. This adjustment in hours will help us manage daytime traffic heading to I-5 from E Lynn St. You can expect crews to guide traffic through work zones from 7 PM to 5 AM, but the road will be reopened during the day. You should also anticipate loud overnight construction noise. We expect to finish on Monday, June 2.
E Lynn St is the last section of drainage work in Eastlake! Upgrading the drainage system has been a significant part of the project. We’re thankful for your patience as we enhance these vital systems for collecting rainwater from our streets, helping to prevent flooding and reduce pollution. Achieving this milestone means we’re now 20% complete with the project!
For more information on bus stop relocations during construction, please visit King County Metro’s website.
Online Drop-In Session
Every Thursday from 2 to 3 PM, residents and business owners have been actively joining our online open house to connect with the project team and have their questions answered. These sessions have been a fantastic way for the community to engage directly, and we’ve received great feedback about how valuable and accessible they are. Whether you want to share your thoughts, ask questions, or simply listen, we encourage everyone to join us and be part of the conversation. Your input truly makes a difference!
You can access the online meetings with the details below:
Meeting link
Meeting ID: 237 305 138 093
Passcode: mBSfNf
How to Stay Informed
To ensure you're informed of the latest updates and developments on the RapidRide J Line project, we encourage you to sign up for our project emails. This will give you detailed information about construction activities, timelines, and any changes that may affect your neighborhood. Please feel free to share the details of our website and project emails with friends, family, or anyone who might be interested in knowing more about this exciting initiative. You can sign up for the emails and find more information on our project website. Thank you for your continued support and engagement!
Contact us
Communications and Outreach Lead
Need Translation?
For information on our work to upgrade the Route 70 bus route to a RapidRide bus line, in your language, please leave a voicemail in your preferred language at (206) 257-2202
Para obtener información en su idioma sobre nuestro trabajo para convertir la Ruta 70 del autobús a una línea RapidRide, llame al (206) 257-2202
若想通過您的語言了解有關 70 號公車路線升級為快速線 (RapidRide) 的工程資訊，請致電 (206) 257-2202
若想通过您的语言了解有关 70 号公交路线升级为快速线 (RapidRide) 的工程信息，请致电 (206) 257-2202
70번 버스 노선을 RapidRide 노선으로 업그레이드하기 위한 당국의 작업에 대한 정보를 귀하의 언어로 확인하려면 (206) 257‑2202로 전화하십시오
Route للحصول على المعلومات حول عملنا لتطوير مسار الحافلة 70
(206) 257-2022 بلغتك، اتصل بالرق م RapidRide إلى خ ط
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