Montlake exit’s temporary bus lane is closing
[C]rews will restripe the westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake and remove the ramp's temporary bus-only lane that currently allows buses to bypass general-purpose vehicles to reach Montlake Boulevard. The bus lane was temporarily put in place last October, with a plan to close it in March for the Montlake Project construction. Recognizing the value that the temporary lane provided to transit, WSDOT worked with the contractor to keep the lane open as long as possible without affecting construction.
At the request of several Eastside cities, WSDOT looked at ways to preserve the bus lane, but none were deemed viable. It's frustrating to see it go, but the project was a good reminder that agencies and concerned commuters can work together to make short-term improvements.