Feds recommend $60 million for RapidRide J project, including Eastlake Ave remake
Design concept for Eastlake Ave E (PDF).
The Federal Transit Administration has recommended a $60.1 million grant to fund the RapidRide J project from the U District to South Lake Union via Eastlake.
Coupled with funding from the Levy to Move Seattle that voters approved in 2015, the recommended $60 million grant would fully fund the RapidRide J Line project," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell in a joint press release with King County Metro. Access to transit and safe streets are the things that make a difference in people's life. This type of infrastructure makes our city welcoming to people of all ages and abilities and connects them to work, schools, recreation, and culture - creating One Seattle."
The RapidRide J project is a major remake of the corridor, including long-awaited protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave E and Fairview Ave N. We previously talked through the design details in great detail. Hopefully the $60 million is enough to fix the lacking bike protection at the south end of the University Bridge, one of the few lacking elements in a very exciting design that will make biking much more comfortable in this vital corridor.
In Washington, the Seattle RapidRide J Line Bus Rapid Transit project is recommended for CIG funding. King County Metro (Metro) proposes a 5.2-mile BRT line connecting the University District neighborhood to downtown Seattle as part of Seattle's growing RapidRide BRT system. The project features real-time arrival information, off-board fare collection, 2.3 miles of exclusive BRT lanes, and transit signal priority. The corridor includes major destinations including the University of Washington, South Lake Union, Seattle's central business district, and the International District, with intermodal connections to light rail, monorail, commuter rail, Washington State Ferries, and the Seattle Streetcar. (First-time funding recommendation for $60.1 million)