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. You can download maps of the final project using this link.

Crews pour concrete for new curbs.

RapidRide J Line

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. 

Happy New Year! 

University District Construction 

Sidewalk demolition and electrical work on Roosevelt Way NE

Sidewalk and ramp installation on 11th Ave NE and NE 42nd St intersection

We are nearly done with work on the west corners of 11th Ave NE and NE 42nd St. Through next week, crews will finish pouring concrete for new accessible sidewalks and pedestrian ramps. Traffic will be directed around the work area, and signage will guide pedestrians safely through the construction zone. 

Pole installation in the University District

Crews installing overhead power poles.

Eastlake Construction 

Paving work is progressing along Eastlake Ave E

We are making significant progress building a new, smooth, long-lasting road along Eastlake Ave E. Our crews are actively demolishing, preparing, and pouring new concrete in many areas:

• Between Harvard Ave E and E Shelby St: We are demolishing the street on the west side of Eastlake Ave E. Crews are beginning work at E Shelby St and progressing north. We expect to start pouring new concrete as early as January 12.
• Between E Lynn St and E Boston St: Crews are demolishing the street on the east side of Eastlake Ave E, starting at the south end of the block. Our crews will begin paving as early as January 6.
• Between E Boston St and E Howe St: We will continue paving the east side of the street through January 7. As soon as the weekend of January 9, crews will pave the street in front of Aegis Living’s driveway on Eastlake Ave E. This work will require us to close the driveway throughout the weekend and reopen it on Monday morning.
• Between E Howe St and E Garfield St: As early as January 6, we will begin demolishing the street on the west side of Eastlake Ave E. You can expect increased noise, dust, and vibrations during this work.

We’ll continue coordinating with property owners and residents to maintain driveway access and schedule closures. Traffic in both directions will be shifted to the opposite side of the street from where the crews are working.

Water main replacement on Eastlake Ave E

Starting January 5, crews will begin the final water main work for the RapidRide J Line project. This marks the last major effort to upgrade the water system in the area, ensuring long-term reliability for the community. As part of this work, there will be some planned water outages, but these will be the last significant interruptions for the project. We understand that water service is essential, and we’re committed to minimizing impacts as much as possible. Thank you for your patience throughout this work!

Details of the final stages of water main work, including maps showing areas affected by the final outages, can be found below. 

Between E Hamlin St and E Edgar St: Properties highlighted in yellow on the map below will experience a water outage on Monday, January 5, from 9:30 PM to 5:30 AM. During this time, the following locations will also experience a water outage for up to three hours:

• Lyla Eastlake Apartments - 2600 Eastlake Ave E
• 2601 Eastlake Apartments - 2603 Eastlake Ave E

The properties highlighted in yellow will experience water outages on the night of January 5. Click here for a larger map.

Between E Edgar St and E Roanoke St: Properties highlighted in yellow on the map below will experience a water outage on Tuesday, January 6, from 7 PM to 3 AM. During this time, the following locations will also experience a separate water outage for up to three hours:

• 2517 Eastlake Ave E
• 2501 Eastlake Ave E
• Otter Bar and Burger/Eastlake Scoops – 2377 Eastlake Ave E
• Areis Building/Sushi Nori – 2358-76 Eastlake Ave E
• Pecado Bueno – 2352 Eastlake Ave E

The properties highlighted in yellow will experience water outages on the night of January 6. Click here for a larger map.

Between E Louisa St and E Lynn St: On Wednesday, January 7, crews will shut off water at individual locations, rather than an entire area. The following locations will experience an outage for up to three hours between 5 PM and 5 AM:

• Real Retail – 2367-69 Eastlake Ave E
• Liza Eastlake – 2517 Eastlake Ave E
• Yates Cottages – 2365 Eastlake Ave E
• Yates Apartments – 2355 Eastlake Ave E
• Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust – 2345 Eastlake Ave E
• 2345 Eastlake Ave E
• Former Starbucks building – 2344 Eastlake Ave E
• Rain City Maids of Seattle – 2341 Eastlake Ave E
• 2341 Eastlake Ave E

Near the intersection of Eastlake Ave E and E Lynn St: Crews will work on the morning of Friday, January 9, from 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM to finish water service transfers. The following locations will experience a water outage: 

• John Shafer CPA – 2335 Eastlake Ave E
• Office building – 2324 Eastlake Ave E
• Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust building – 2323 Eastlake Ave E

The properties highlighted in yellow will experience water outages on the night of January 9. Click here for a larger map.

Near the intersection of Eastlake Ave E and E Lynn St: If SPU crews cannot complete all the water service transfers on Friday, January 9, they will work on Saturday, December 19, between 2:30 AM and 6:30 PM. We will notify any impacted properties beforehand.

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. 

All our nighttime activities will follow the City of Seattle’s noise variance requirements. For more information about the City’s noise code, please visit their website.   

Fairview Ave N Construction 

New communication utility systems on the west side of Fairview Ave N

A new pedestrian ramp dries.

Our crews are working in several areas along Fairview Ave N to prepare for the RapidRide J Line bus shelters. Before the shelters can be installed later this year, crews need to build the shelter foundations. This work includes removing sections of the existing sidewalk, installing new electrical wiring, and pouring new concrete for the sidewalk, pedestrian ramps, and shelter bases.

• The northeast corner of Aloha St and Fairview Ave N: Crews expect to finish pouring concrete for the new sidewalks and shelter foundation this week.
• The southwest corner of Harrison St and Fairview Ave N: Electrical wiring installation will continue through January 5, followed by crews pouring concrete.
• The southeast corner of Valley St and Fairview Ave N: Crews have begun demolishing the sidewalks and installing electrical wiring.
• The northeast corner of Harrison St and Fairview Ave N: Sidewalk demolition will start as early as January 12.

Pedestrians will be detoured to the opposite side of the street. Please follow all signs and directions from crews when traveling near the work zone. We have coordinated closely with nearby properties to ensure that access to all buildings will be maintained as crews complete this work.

You Can Ask Questions Directly to Our Project Team

Visit our webpage