King County Metro hosted a ceremony on March 17 to celebrate the launch of RapidRide H Line, King County Metro’s seventh RapidRide line. Transit improvements spanning 12 miles from downtown Seattle to Burien will upgrade the speed, reliability, and customer experience for 6,000 daily riders of the current Route 120.
The line includes $154.1 million in improvements including new transit stations, bus lanes and traffic signal upgrades that span the entire RapidRide H Line corridor between downtown Seattle, Delridge and West Seattle, White Center and Burien.
“We are delivering what riders across the region need: Frequent service and connections to support commuting and everyday travel,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “RapidRide H Line transforms one of our most popular routes into a new resource connecting communities across one of the most dynamic parts of King County. It’s an exciting step forward for neighbors, businesses, families and the next generation of transit users.”
Route 120 carried 1.7 million riders in 2022 and is the sixth busiest route in King County. Buses on this route serve many communities that are more diverse and have lower incomes than the county average. Ridership demand has stayed strong in recent years, validating the current high-frequency service customers have come to rely on. Buses currently operate every seven to eight minutes during weekday rush hour and every 10 to 15 minutes during midday.
“The RapidRide H Line connecting Unincorporated White Center to Seattle and Burien is really exciting because it gives this community a reliable and faster option to get to where they are going,” said Carmen Smith, White Center Food Bank executive director. “What I’m looking forward to the most is that our new facility is right around the corner from the 102nd & 15th stop. This will give families quick access to the bus line without having to carry their groceries far and the opportunity to rely on a bus route that is consistent.”
“This is an exciting moment for King County Metro riders in this community, whose buses will come more often, be more reliable, and have more service on night and on weekends,” said King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents the H Line (Burien, White Cente, and West Seattle) on the King County Council. “I applaud the cooperation between Burien, King County and the city of Seattle as we elevate service for thousands of riders each day.”
“We are now welcoming riders aboard the brand-new RapidRide H Line, offering fast, frequent and reliable service that King County Metro riders need now more than ever,” King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Buses operate so frequently that riders don’t need a schedule, seven days a week, and the improvements we’ve built with our partners will boost the reliability of service. Communities along this corridor depend on transit service, and this upgrade is key in supporting the region’s recovery and in the decades to come.”
Seattle projects support travelers and transit riders
The city of Seattle completed work on Delridge Way SW this past fall, investing more than $90 million in local infrastructure thanks in large part to funding from the voter-approved Levy to Move Seattle. This work supported reliable bus service by repaving the road, adding bus lanes, building 20 new bus stops and upgrading traffic signals which move buses to the front of the line at red lights. The Seattle Department of Transportation also built a variety of safety and community improvements, including new crosswalks and sidewalks, bike lanes and planting over 150 trees. In addition to roadwork, the city also upgraded the neighborhood sewer, water and electrical systems.
“Expanding access to fast, reliable transit that gets people where they need to go is one of our administration’s highest priorities,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “In so many ways, this project will open new opportunities for Delridge neighbors and communities across the region. We have Seattle voters to thank for passing the Levy to Move Seattle, and our partners at King County Metro and city of Burien for their shared commitment to a robust, accessible and sustainable transportation system.”
“Bus ridership has always been strong along the H Line corridor, as many residents are transit dependent for access to jobs and services,” said Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold. “RapidRide will bring more frequent and reliable service to the Delridge neighborhoods.”
Burien pedestrian improvements increase safety
Construction of several pedestrian safety improvements is underway, including wider sidewalks with landscaped separation from traffic along portions of Ambaum Boulevard Southwest, a new sidewalk on Southwest 136th St. from 8th Ave. Southwest to Ambaum Boulevard Southwest, two new signalized crossings on Southwest 150th St. and installation of a signalized crossing on 16th Ave. Southwest near Southwest 114th St. The types of signalized crossings being installed include a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and High-intensity Activated crossWalK beacon.
“Burien takes pride in our vibrant and creative community. We are a place that embraces diversity, celebrates arts and culture, promotes vitality and treasures the environment,” said Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon. “This project has helped serve as a catalyst for us to advance this vision of Burien. Not only is the new H Line bringing faster and more reliable bus transit options to the families and workers in our community, but it also brought many critical road and pedestrian safety improvements along Ambaum Boulevard. These investments are part of our city’s longer-term strategy to build a community that is more safe and walkable and take action on climate change. Burien is proud to be a partner on this project; we believe this new bus service will help make a difference in the daily lives of Burien residents and create a more vibrant future for our community.”
