SR-167 BRT

SR 167 Master Plan. Toll Lanes in Purple, Direct Access Ramps in black diamond

WSDOT completed the SR 167 master plan in 2023 for the next couple decades outlining the freeway expansion. Albeit focusing on single occupancy vehicles throughput, the plan did outline constructing toll lanes, building direct access ramps, and running proposed BRT route for the corridor. While this was a study without funding it might still become a reality. Similar to how the previous I-405 study ultimately became the Stride 1 and 2 freeway BRT projects.

Dual Toll Lanes and Direct Access Ramps

Currently SR-167 currently suffers from heavy traffic, WSDOT is extending the toll lanes south of Auburn to reach Sumner. Farther off, WSDOT suggests in their SR 167 master plan study to expanding the SR-167 by building an additional toll lane and converting the existing HOV lane to end up with Dual ETLs between I-405 and SR 512 (20 miles)".

Additionally 3 direct access ramps would be built and one flyover ramp. (Shown on the top map in black diamonds)

• Kent Direct Access Ramp
• Auburn Direct Access Ramp
• Sumner Direct Access Ramp
• SR 167/SR 512 ETL Flyover Ramp

SR 167 Initial Concept

The study suggested a SR 167 BRT as service between Puyallup and Renton with possible extension to Link light rail". We'll first look at a freeway-running bus from Puyallup to Renton via SR-167 ETL lanes.

Totem Lake Freeway station (google map)

For the following analysis, we assume the new direct access ramps in Kent, Auburn, and Sumner will include an on-ramp bus stop, allowing buses to pause and then immediately continue onto the freeway (similar to the existing Totem Lake Freeway Station). If the ramps lack this station, buses would instead be required to drive to the nearest transit center and return via some U-turn to re-access the ramp.

Kent - James Street DARSR 167 in Kent

The center direct access ramp would likely be built at the W James Street intersection. The spot is a pretty relatively good location considering there's apartments to the west and some commercial/retail to the east. There's also existing east-west buses of Route 150, 162 and 183 running on James Street.

Auburn - Main Street DARSR 167 in Auburn. Picture shows walking 18 minutes to Auburn station from SR-167/Main St

For Auburn, the direct access ramp would likely be built next to Main Street. Unfortunately, this lacks good connectivity both to other buses, trains and existing density. To walk from SR 167 & Main Street will take 18 minutes. Additionally, the major east-west bus lines might not traverse through the hov direct access ramp areas.

Route 181 bus route

The existing Route 181 runs 15th St SW next to the Outlet Collection mall south of SR 18, while the direct access ramps are north of SR 18.

Unfortunately, there's not a better place to put the direct access ramps. Moving them to 15th St SW would better connect to route 181 and the mall but also lengthens the pedestrian travel time to Auburn downtown and the train station.

SumnerWest Valley Highway East Direct Access Ramps in red

The freeway direct access ramp/bus station be located at West Valley Highway East. The freeway bus station would only be around 1500 feet from Auburn's downtown much closer than Sumner freeway station and downtown's distance. Unfortunately one would have to walk uphill and it's on the other side of train tracks, the river and a second set of train tracks.

Puyallup - SR 512 interchange

The initial concept for SR-167 BRT has the bus start/end in Puyallup. However, there is a bit of a complication with using either the Meridian Avenue or SR 512 to reach downtown Puyallup.

SR 167/SR 512 ETL Flyover Ramp

In Puyallup, they will build the SR 167/SR 512 ETL Flyover Ramp similar to the existing SR 167 to I-405 fly over ramps. Any buses heading from Renton to Puyallup though would likely not use the ETL flyover as they would end up in the center lanes of SR 512, too far from the right lane exit of Pioneer Way E.

Meridian Avenue Diverging Diamond Interchange

The SR 167 BRT would likely exit at Meridian Avenue to reach downtown Puyallup. The future diverging diamond interchange at Meridian Avenue would require the BRT to weave from the center lanes to the right most lanes to exit onto Meridian Avenue.

SR 167 BRT Puyallup to Renton

The study suggested a SR 167 BRT running solely from Puyallup and Renton. Unfortunately such a line is a bit odd forcing many transfers. Riders to Seattle would need to transfer at Renton to either Stride 1 to TIBS and then take the Link for a 3 seat ride. Riders from Puyallup to Bellevue would find it be a bit more useful with the Stride 1 bringing them straight into Bellevue.

SR 167 BRT Extended WestSR 167 Extension Project with Toll points

Instead there are a couple possible extensions to the west and north.

To the west the SR 167 completion project would bring the freeway to Tacoma via SR 509. (The SR-167 study did not take into account the extension to Tacoma). This would allow the SR 167 BRT to emulate Sounder South segment to Tacoma. However, at Meridian Avenue there lacks a direct access ramp and the future diverging diamond interchange doesn't allow for a freeway flyer stop to continue on. The SR-167 BRT would now need to decide between exiting the freeway to reach downtown Puyallup or skipping it entirely.

If heading to Tacoma the SR 167 BRT would just stay in the ETL center lanes and skip Puyallup.

SR 167 BRT Extended NorthSR 167 BRT north extension options to Rainier Beach, Seattle, and Bellevue

To the north the options are more varied and harder to choose. The study itself recommended possible extensions to Link light rail with the closest stations being TIBS or Rainier Beach. Alternatively the SR 167 BRT could also possibly continue straight to downtown Bellevue or downtown Seattle.

	SR 167 BRT: A from Tacoma via Renton to Rainier Beach	SR 167 BRT: B from Tacoma via Renton to Bellevue
Seattle (CID Station)	71 min (45 min + 5 min wait + 21 min link travel)	75 min ( 50 min + 5 min wait + 20 min link travel)
Transfer Point	Rainier Beach 45 min w/o traffic 52 min w/ traffic	Bellevue 50 min
Renton	30 min	30 min
Tukwila	n/a	n/a
Kent	24 min	24 min
Auburn	18 min	18 min
Puyallup	8 min	8 min
Tacoma	start	start

For TIBS, the station would allow reaching SeaTac and continuing north to Seattle. With Stride 1's inline freeway station it would be relatively easy to reach, but at the same time would duplicate Stride 1 service. For Rainier Beach, this would allow riders to reach downtown Seattle slightly quicker than stopping at TIBS. Additionally this would not duplicate Stride 1 BRT. However this would require running on local streets for 5 miles (albeit 15 minutes without traffic)

For downtown Bellevue, this would typically make the most sense as there would be the I-405 toll lanes. However, running along I-405 would heavily duplicate Stride 1 BRT. Buses cannot use the SR 167/ I-405 flyover as skipping Renton Transit Center would force Seattle riders to transfer all the way at Bellevue.

	SR 167 BRT C from Tacoma via Renton to Seattle	Sounder
Seattle (King Street)	52 min w/o traffic (unlikely) 62 min average traffic 75 min w/ traffic	62 min
Renton	30 min	n/a
Tukwila	n/a	42 min
Kent	24 min	35 min
Auburn	18 min	28 min
Sumner	13 min	18 min
Puyallup	8 min	13 min
Tacoma	start	start

For downtown Seattle, heading there would allow the SR 167 BRT to emulate Sounder South line almost completely. This would allow for all-day easy transit access to Seattle unlike the commuter rail line that runs peak-only. Unfortunately I-5 lacks toll lanes and there are missing center flyover ramps at I-5 & I-405 and I-405 & SR 167. Such a long bus route lacking toll lanes would likely be stuck in traffic on I-5. For example the existing Route 162 from Kent via I-5 to Seattle takes around 45 minutes.

Final Thoughts

A SR 167 BRT would connect the cities of Renton, Sumner, Kent, and Auburn. The direct access ramps would allow for all-day express transit service between the cities unlike the peak-only Sounder South. However an easy path to both Link light rail and destinations further north of Renton are a bit complicated to resolve.

Citations

• SR 167 Master plan
  • SR 167 Master plan Main Page
  • Attachment D: Final Study Recommendations