 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.
 New concrete pavement on Eastlake Ave E.
RapidRide J Line
Here’s what is included in this email update:
- University District Construction
- Eastlake Construction
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Fairview Ave N Construction
We are working in many locations at once. Our work involves heavy machinery, loud noises, vibrations, and dust. We usually work from 7 AM to 5 PM, but we may start as early as 4 AM to allow enough time for new concrete to cure. We may also need to work weekends and nights to complete certain activities.
University District Construction
Paving and bus stop closure on Roosevelt Way NE
Crews are finishing paving on the east side of Roosevelt Way NE between NE 42nd St and NE 41st St. As early as Tuesday, October 14, we will begin demolishing and paving on the west side of Roosevelt Way NE between NE 43rd St and NE 42nd St. One southbound traffic lane will continue to remain open during this work, which is anticipated to take about two weeks. If you are riding a bike, you will need to use the sidewalks during construction.
This work will require us to temporarily close the southbound bus stop near the UW Clinic at NE 42nd St and Roosevelt Way NE. Alternative stops can be found at the following locations:
- Southbound Roosevelt Way NE and NE 45th St (Stop #9605): Routes 31, 32, and 65
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Westbound NE 42nd St and 8th Ave NE ( Stop #5402): Routes 31 and 32
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Eastbound NE Campus Pkwy and University Wy NE (Stop #9575): Route 65
relocate the UW Clinic’s shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off area to the north side of NE 42nd St. Please see the map below for more information.
 A map of the UW Clinic’s temporary shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off area on the north side of NE 42nd St and work area on Roosevelt Way NE between NE 42nd St and NE 43rd St. Click here to download a larger PDF of this map.
Paving on Eastlake Ave NE
We are also paving the west side of Eastlake Ave NE between NE Campus Pkwy and NE 41st St. Work in this area will continue for several weeks. One northbound lane will remain open throughout construction. Please see the map below for more information.
The paving area on the west side of Eastlake Ave NE.
Sidewalk installation on 11th Ave NE
Crews have begun constructing new sidewalks on the east side of 11th Ave NE between NE 43rd St and NE 45th St. During this work, people on bikes can use a temporary northbound bike lane, and pedestrians can access the west sidewalk.
Pole foundation installation in the University District
We are installing new pole foundations in several areas of the University District. Crews continue to install foundations on Roosevelt Way NE between NE 43rd St and NE 42nd St. They have also started work on Eastlake Ave NE between NE Campus Parkway and NE 41st St. This work will require temporary sidewalk closures, but access to businesses and driveways will be maintained. We will reroute traffic around the work zone. Crews will return later to install new light poles.
Eastlake Construction
 The map above shows where we are currently working in the Eastlake neighborhood. Click here to download a larger PDF of this map.
Paving work along Eastlake Ave E between Harvard Ave E and E Shelby St
We continue to pave the east side of Eastlake Ave E between Harvard Ave E and E Shelby St. This work is expected to continue for several weeks. Our team will coordinate with businesses and residents before any driveway impacts occur.
Water main replacement on Eastlake Ave E
Crews build trenches for the new water main on Eastlake Ave E.
We continue to install the new water main along the east side of Eastlake Ave E in multiple areas. On the north end, crews are working between E Shelby St and E Edgar St, and farther south, work is happening between E Lynn St and E Newton St. During this time, traffic will shift around the construction zones.
Just after midnight on Thursday, October 16, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews will connect buildings on Eastlake Ave E between E Lynn St and E Louisa St to the new water main. Throughout this work, SPU cleans and tests the new pipes to ensure they are free from sediment and contaminants, such as bacteria. As they complete this work, the buildings highlighted in yellow below will experience a water outage from 12:01 to 5:30 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, October 16.
The properties highlighted in yellow will experience water outages on the morning of October 16.
Please be aware that planned water outages may be changed or canceled. You can view SPU's Water Outages map for more information on affected properties and the outage status. If you have any questions or concerns, call our project hotline at (206) 257-2202 or email RapidRide@seattle.gov. We are committed to working with businesses to coordinate planned water outages. Our project website also has answers to frequently asked questions about water outages.
Nightwork along Eastlake Ave E at the intersections of E Louisa St, E Lynn St, and E Hamlin St.
During the week of October 20, we will dig across Eastlake Ave E at the intersections of E Louisa St, E Lynn St, and E Hamlin St to install electrical lines. We will work at night to reduce impacts on schools, businesses, and traffic during the day. You may experience some nighttime noise. Crews will keep northbound and southbound traffic moving using a single lane. Please follow all signage and directions from flaggers.
Concrete pours on Eastlake Ave E between E Garfield St and E Howe St
Before we begin demolishing the west side of Eastlake Ave E between E Garfield St and E Galer St, we will shift traffic to the east side of Eastlake Ave E. Our team is already coordinating with property owners and residents ahead of driveway impacts and access will be maintained to all lots from Fairview Ave E. As crews complete this work, vehicles will be unable to access the west side of E Garfield St from Eastlake Ave E. Local access to parking lots will be maintained via Fairview Ave E.
Construction
Frontage road closure near Fairview Ave N and Aloha St
 Crews install new electrical lines under Fairview Ave N.
Crews continue to install new communication utility systems on the west side of Fairview Ave N, along the frontage road between Aloha St and Yale Ave N.
We are currently finishing work at the Aloha St driveway. During this work, half of the driveway will remain open to allow traffic in and out, and flaggers will assist with access.
Crews will begin work at the Yale Ave N driveway the week of October 13. This work will temporarily limit sidewalk access near Yale Ave N. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be directed onto the frontage road around the work area.
Our work will take place on weekdays between 7 AM and 5 PM. We will reopen the affected areas at the end of each workday, and we do not expect any weekend work.
Electrical work near the east side of Aloha St
We continue to install new foundations for light poles on the east side of Fairview Ave N near Aloha St. This work will require us to close the curb lane. If you are walking near the work area, please follow our detour signs.
Thank you for joining us at the University District Chow Down and Street Party
RapidRide J Line outreach team at the U District Chow Down.
A heartfelt thank you to the University District Partnership for inviting our team to the Chow Down event last weekend! We’re also grateful to our partners at King County Metro for teaming up with us at our information booths. We connected with more than 1,500 community members in the U District. We thank you for stopping by to ask us questions, share your support, and show your commitment to the RapidRide J Line. We heard your excitement for the new service, bike lanes, and the many ways this project will enhance infrastructure and protect our environment.
As a reminder, you can continue to connect with our team each week during our online drop-in sessions.
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!
For more information on bus stop relocations during construction, please visit King County Metro’s website.
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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