Denny Way Bus Lane Delayed

The newly repaved section of Denny Way, just west of Stewart Street

The promise of an eastbound bus lane on Denny Way made waves last month, but the September deadline has come and passed, with not a hint of red paint on the street's asphalt. So, what gives?

Mike Lindblom at The Seattle Times reports ($) that the announcement was premature and came about due to a misunderstanding between the department and Seattle City Light (SCL). SCL's Denny Substation, which occupies most of the block between Minor and Yale, has not been completed. One of Denny's westbound lanes is used by the project's contractors, and would have been eliminated with the center bus lane in place. Recently, SCL tore up and repaved Denny Way, which SDOT saw as an opportunity to install the new bus lane with minimal disruption. A SCL manager approved of SDOT's proposed work, mistaking it for mere restriping and not a full lane conversion. SDOT's original announcement was pulled, and a new schedule for the bus lane pushes back installation until spring of next year.