Mayor Wilson Announces Denny Way Bus Lanes

Transit advocates and SDOT staff on a red carpet alongside Mayor Wilson, CM Rinck, CM Saka, and Interim SDOT Director Brady following the Denny Way bus lane announcement.

On Wednesday, Mayor Wilson announced plans for new bus lanes on Denny Way to help improve reliability for Route 8. This is workhorse route. This is one of our highest ridership routes, and it has long struggled with reliability," Wilson said. This announcement follows the Mayor's first executive order for SDOT to design and install at least one dedicated bus lane on Denny Way, with the goal of significantly improving the reliability, speed, and performance of Route 8 and other transit services operating in the corridor." The new bus lanes will be Mayor Wilson's first direct addition to Seattle's growing bus lane network.

Denny Way project map (SDOT)

The Denny Way Bus Reliability Project will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will be done in May and include a new southbound business access and transit (BAT) lane in the center lane on Queen Anne Ave N between John St and Denny Way, an eastbound curbside BAT lane on Denny Way between Queen Anne Ave N and 2nd Ave, and a bus priority signal on Denny Way at 2nd Ave.

Due to the World Cup, SDOT will pause all right-of-way construction between June 8 - July 9. After this pause, SDOT will continue with Phase 2 in August. The highlight of Phase 2 is an eastbound BAT lane between 5th Ave and Fairview Ave. In addition, the Yale Ave slip lane will be closed and the existing bus lane between Fairview and Steward St will be moved to the curb lane. Drivers traveling from Denny to I-5 will now use Boren Ave and Howell St. A few more turn restrictions will be installed along Denny Way.

Lane configurations for Denny Way at Boren Ave (top) and Stewart St (bottom). (SDOT)

Route 8's reliability along Denny Way has long been a concern for transit riders and advocates. In 2023, the Fix The L8 campaign started an organized effort to raise awareness about the L8" and push SDOT to paint bus lanes. Fix The L8 co-lead Jason Li wrote a 3-part series on Route 8's reliability last year: Route 8 Bus Lanes, Redesigning Denny Way, and Long W8s. Last summer, hundreds of people Raced the L8 by walking, jump roping, and dancing between Dexter Ave and Steward St.

Metro is planning on increasing Route 8's frequency from every 15min to every 12min in August. This improved frequency and the new bus lane should make Route 8 trips much faster and more reliable. This Fall, the L8 will become the Gr8!