A New Approach to Bus Priority in Olympia, Washington

Buses on State Avenue in Olympia, Washington will get their own lane a chance to jump to the head of traffic.

1 minute read

November 15, 2019, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bus Lane

Goran Bogicevic / Shutterstock

"Olympia is poised to get its first bus lane and queue jump, benefiting transit riders who use Intercity Transit buses," reports Stephen Fesler.

"Between Franklin Street and Washington Street on State Avenue, the City of Olympia plans to install a bus-only lane in the westbound direction, just before crossing Washington Street," according to Fesler. In addition, the plan will add a new transit signal that gives buses the green light to proceed through the intersection before the rest of the traffic on the street.

The new bus lane includes additional changes to the street, all thoroughly documented by Fesler, to free buses from effects of automobile congestion.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019 in The Urbanist

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

People vote in Chicago behind blue privacy screens

Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners

Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents

November 5 - Block Club Chicago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks into a microphone. He wears a gray suit.

NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting

New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.

November 5 - The City Reporter

People in Los Angeles going to the polls, following a sign with an "I Voted" design

California appears to reject Prop. 45

The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.

November 5 - Cal Matters