SDOT Will Provide Spot Improvements On Key Transit Routes

A spate of new transit spot improvements in Seattle are in the works for this year, which should go a long way to improving the performance of dozens of transit lines. Spot improvements are headed to Ballard, Belltown, Denny Triangle, and Pioneer Square to Capitol Hill.

First Hill Streetcar Corridor Improvements

Transit signal priority locations from Pioneer Square to Little Saigon. (City of Seattle)

To improve speed and reliability on the First Hill Streetcar corridor, SDOT plans to use a variety of techniques to aid the streetcar line. Many of these transit improvements will also aid routes like Route 9 and 60:

On the Broadway stretch from Pine Street to Marion Street, SDOT will deploy transit signal priority, provide new south business access and transit (BAT) lane, convert the center turn pocket to a general travel lane, and aid right-turning cars during afternoon peak hours by restricting pedestrian crossings.
On the Yesler Way stretch between Boren Avenue and 14th Ave E, SDOT will restrict left turns during afternoon peak hours, retime signals at the 12th Avenue intersection, add transit signal priority, and improve stop signage.
On the S Jackson St stretch between Occidental Ave S and 14th Ave E, SDOT will remove some on-street parking (six to seven stalls) near the Little Saigon stop, deploy transit signal priority, and adjust eastbound and westbound signals to help the streetcars.

Light syncronization, turn restrictions, and transit signal priority improvements on and around Yesler Way. (City of Seattle) — Light synchronization, turn restrictions, and transit signal priority improvements on and around Yesler Way. (City of Seattle)

Unfortunately, the First Hill Streetcar line has been temporarily suspended due to an mechanical issue discovered last week. The line was abruptly shut down on Wednesday when one trainset stalled at Broadway and Yesler Way. SDOT says that service will resume shortly, but hasn’t given a precise date. The stalled trainset is one of seven trainsets built by Czech-based manufacturer Inekon Trams, and six of them were put into full passenger service last year on the First Hill Streetcar line. According to technicians, none of the other trainsets appear to have similar issues, but tests will be carried out before they’re put back in to passenger service.

Blanchard Bus Lanes

On an average weekday, some 22,000 bus passengers and 200 buses traverse Blanchard Street, which can mean severe delays during peak hours. SDOT plans to change that in the coming weeks. A total of three-and-a-half blocks between Eighth Avenue and Third Avenue will get the bus-only lane treatment, which should help speed up and improve reliability on the RapidRide C and Route 40 bus lines. Blanchard, a one-way street, sends vehicles in the northeast-bound direction with buses headed toward Westlake Avenue. The bus-only lane will be in effect on weekdays only during peak hours, 6am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm, and should shave off about an average of four minutes in travel time for bus riders (assuming motorists obey the peak hour prohibition).

The stretch of road planned for transit improvements on Blanchard Street. (City of Seattle)

The blocks between Eighth Avenue and Westlake Avenue will be on hold for now so that SDOT can work out signal details for the Westlake Avenue intersection. A future RapidRide stop is also a possibility for a future transit project. That stop would likely be located just west of Sixth Avenue.

Dongho Chang, the City’s Chief Transportation Engineer, recently gave a preview of the Blanchard Street improvements where SDOT is already putting test paint on the ground.