Transit commutes have borne the brunt of ongoing deconstruction work around Alaskan Viaduct in Downtown Seattle. Allowing two-way bus-only lanes on Columbia Street is supposed to improve the situation.
"A new transit pathway in Downtown Seattle opens on Saturday," reports Doug Trumm.
The project will transform Columbia Street into a two-way bus connection benefitting 26,000 daily bus riders. "West Seattle, White Center, and Burien riders have been hit hard by the Seattle Squeeze, particularly since the new SR-99 tunnel opened and deconstruction work on the former viaduct forced reroutes to surface streets through SoDo and Pioneer Square. King County Metro all but issued an apology to riders at the end of summer over mounting delays, some approaching a full hour, due to interim routings on 1st Avenue without dedicated bus lanes," according to Trumm.
Columbia Street will now allow for the passage of a dozen bus routes, explains Trumm. "The new transit pathway will also have other benefits for riders, bringing them closer to light rail, ferries, and eventually streetcar service."
Trumm provides a lot more detail on the circumstances leading to the redesign of Columbia Street, as well as the details of the new configuration.
FULL STORY: Columbia Street Two-Way Bus Corridor Opens Saturday
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