RapidRide J Line - Formerly RapidRide Roosevelt

The RapidRide J Line upgrades King County Metro’s Route 70 with an improved RapidRide level of service. The project will enhance bus speed, access, reliability, and station amenities. It will also install protected bike lanes, a new watermain and paving on Eastlake Ave E, and bring many more upgrades as it connects Downtown Seattle with the neighborhoods of Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the University District.  

Updated: January 26, 2024

Project Overview

We're partnering with King County Metro (KCM) to enhance transit connections and upgrade existing bus routes to Metro RapidRide service. The project upgrades the current Route 70 to a RapidRide level of service, improving transit connections to  Downtown, Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the University District neighborhoods. In addition to improving bus reliability with all day transit service, the project will install new bus stations, repave streets, add new protected bike lanes, and improve pedestrian accessibility.

The RapidRide J Line project also addresses current and future mobility needs for travelers, transit capacity constraints along the route, and provides equitable transportation access to major institutions, employers, and neighborhoods.

The RapidRide J Line project will:

• Improve transit travel time and reliability throughout the route by adding transit lanes and transit signal priority  
• Provide a high-quality rider experience with stations that include shelters, lighting, real-time arrival information, and all-door boarding
• Improve access to transit through upgraded curb ramps, sidewalks, and signals
• Improve connections to Link light rail, other bus lines, and Seattle Streetcar
• Install protected bike lanes to improve safety of all travelers
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions with more transit options and fewer cars on the road
• Pave Eastlake Ave E from E from Fuhrman Ave E to Fairview Ave E with at least 12 inches of concrete, creating a roadway that will last more than 50 years
• Partner with Seattle Public Utilities to replace the existing watermain on Eastlake Ave E 

Tree Mitigation Plan 

Trees are fundamental to the character of Seattle and to our quality of life. In our rapidly changing climate, Seattle's urban forest is an increasingly important asset, playing a critical role in mitigating climate change impacts, including heat island effects, as well as supporting Seattle's public health, providing habitat for wildlife, creating spaces for exploration and enjoyment, cleaning our air and water, and reducing the quantity of stormwater runoff, further helping water quality.  

The RapidRide J Line project will remove 92 trees in areas where we will widen sidewalks and install new bus shelters. As part of the tree mitigation plan, we will plant approximately 190 new trees, which have been chosen based upon their suitability for an urban environment. Once the project is complete, there will be a net gain of 98 trees. 

The map below identifies where trees are being retained and removed, as well as where new trees will be planted. 

Click this link to download a larger version of the tree map above.

Station Amenities

The following amenities will be included at RapidRide J Line stations:

• A 12-ft bus shelter canopy
• Real-time arrival information
• All-door boarding
• Benches
• Pedestrian-level lighting
• Signature signposts and route information maps
• Next Generation TSP (ngTSP)

Project Map

 Click this link to download a higher resolution map

Public Art 

The Rapid Ride J Line project area includes nine existing permanent artworks from the City of Seattle’s Public Art Collection. The Office of Arts & Culture is working closely with Seattle Department of Transportation to protect the artworks during construction. The three artworks that will be impacted include: 

• 
  “Dreamboats” by Linda Beaumont will stay in place and be protected as needed during construction 
• “Lost in Thought” by Ellen Sollod will have one of three ground mosaics removed and reinstalled during construction 
• “Cornerstones” by Stacy Levy will see all thirty-two concrete and glass inlay artworks deinstalled and reinstalled during construction. As part of the deinstallation and reinstallation, ARTS will work with the artist to repair, remake, and restore the damaged and missing artwork prior to reinstallation. 

For more information about the Public Art program, visit the Office of Arts & Culture’s Public Art webpage or email the Office of Arts & Culture at arts.culture@seattle.gov. 

Schedule

1. Planning (2014-2017): We collected traffic data, reviewed plans, and gathered community experiences to define options.
2. Design (2017-2023): We are collaborating with the community, working to secure regulatory approval (e.g., Environmental Assessment), and developing a more detailed final design. 
3. Construction (as soon as 2024): We will construct the project and keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts. 
4. Service launch (planned for 2027)

Funding

RapidRide J Line is partially funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015. Additional funding is being sought through a Federal Transit Administration Small Starts Grant.

How can I get involved?

We're always interested in meeting with community and neighborhood groups that want to learn more about the project and make their voices heard. You can request a briefing by emailing RapidRide@seattle.gov or calling (206) 257-2202.