Route 40 - Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor

Updated May 22, 2023

Making bus trips faster, enhancing reliability, and improving safety.

Project Overview

Partnering with King County Metro, we plan to make improvements to this vital transit corridor. 

The objectives of the project are to reduce transit travel times, improve transit reliability, and increase safety and transit access along the Route 40 corridor. We have a goal of reducing peak transit travel times by 5% to 10% and making the time between buses more consistent so trips take about the same amount of time, no matter the time of day.

Improvements made as part of this Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor project will include: 

• Dedicated bus lanes: Bus-only lanes that separate buses from traffic and improve transit travel times and reliability
• Signal upgrades or optimization: Transit signal priority extends or activates green lights to reduce waiting times for buses at signals
• Channelization changes or turn restrictions: Changes to lane markings, and restricting turns for other vehicles so that buses can move faster and avoid right-of-way conflicts, making all travelers safer
• Safety improvements: Improvements to crossings and transit connections to help people get to bus stops more easily and safely
• Sidewalk upgrades: Repaving sidewalks and upgrading curb ramps to become ADA-accessible in key locations 

Route 40 corridor improvements were first identified as part of the Levy to Move Seattle and King County Metro's METRO CONNECTS program. Based on results of the 2018 Levy Workplan Report, Route 40 will not be transitioned to RapidRide during this project. However, improvements will be designed to align with potential future RapidRide expansion.

Route 40 Background

Running north to south, Route 40 is 13.5 miles long and passes through the neighborhoods of Northgate, Crown Hill, Loyal Heights, Ballard, Fremont, South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, and Pioneer Square.

Before COVID, Route 40 was one of Metro's highest ridership routes, serving over 13,000 weekday riders — the third highest ridership route in the system behind the D and E Lines. During COVID pandemic, it remains one of Metro's top highest ridership routes, serving an average of over 7,000 customers each weekday.

Route 40 buses are scheduled to arrive every 5 to 10 minutes during peak periods and stops are located approximately every quarter mile throughout the route. However, buses on this route are often slow and unreliable, impacting thousands of people who rely on transit. This project will identify and implement improvements that provide faster and more reliable transit service for Route 40 and other bus routes that share the corridor.

Key Transit Connections

Route 40 connects with some of the highest ridership routes in our system, such as the RapidRide C, D, and E Lines, as well as Route 44. Additionally, Route 40 ends at the Northgate Transit Center, where many regional transit routes come together. Route 40 connects to the Northgate Link light rail station, completed in October 2021, and will connect to the Ballard station to be completed in 2037-39.

Project Map

Project Schedule

We split the design phase into four stages: early design, refined design, advanced design, and final design/preconstruction.  At each stage, we've solidified different aspects of what the project will look like, so we look for different types of input from the community at each point.

We are currently at the refined design stage.  At this stage, you will be able to review the larger design changes that have been determined and provide feedback on smaller changes. 

At the advanced design stage, we will know what the project will look like and will be collecting feedback only on minor changes. 

See more on the RapidRide Program update.

See more on the comprehensive assessment of the Levy to Move Seattle.

Community Outreach

We received nearly 450 responses to our outreach survey in spring 2021. Overall, community members supported measures prioritizing transit and pedestrian safety improvements. You can read the full survey results in our outreach summary and view our presentation summarizing the current proposed changes.

In spring 2022, the outreach team collected further input from the community. You can read the full survey results in our outreach summary. 

Other Projects Along This Route

SDOT and Metro are focusing many investments along Route 40. Our project team is in close coordination with the following projects: 

• Metro's North Link Connections Mobility Project
• Route 44 TPMC Project
• Bell Street Protected Bike Lane
• N 34th St Mobility Improvements
• NW Market St Paving
• Ballard Multimodal Corridor
• Northgate Pedestrian Bridge
• Sound Transit Northgate Station

Project Materials

• What We Heard and What We're Doing (Spring 2023)
• Spring 2022 Outreach Summary
• Project fact sheet (May 2022)
  • Project fact sheet (May 2022 - Spanish)
  • Project fact sheet (May 2022 - Traditional Chinese)
  • Project fact sheet (May 2022 - Simplified Chinese)
• Feedback Summary: What We Heard and What We’re Doing (May 2022)
• Spring 2021 Outreach Summary (May 2021)
• Spring Outreach Presentation (April 2021)
• Seattle Fright Advisory Board Presentation (March 2021)
• Seattle Transit Advisory Board Presentation (March 2021)
• Spring 2020 Survey Summary (March 2020)
• Route 40 Evaluation Framework Memorandum (February 2020)
• Project fact sheet (June 2020)
• Project fact sheet (June 2020 - Arabic)
• Project fact sheet (June 2020 - Spanish)
• Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board presentation (August 2020)
• Seattle Transit Advisory Board presentation (August 2020)
• Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board presentation (October 2020)
• Seattle Freight Advisory Board presentation (October 2020)

Funding

This project is being funded by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015 to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city. Additional sources include federal grants, state grants, King County Metro funds, and Vehicle Licensing Fees from the Seattle Transit Benefit District.

Environmental Updates

SDOT has determined that the Route 40 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor Project will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. As a result, SDOT issued a Determination of Non-significance (DNS) on May 22, 2023. This decision was made after review of the adopted National Environmental Policy Act Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) Worksheet and technical reports. Public comments on the DNS and adopted DCE and technical reports will be accepted through the project inbox at Route40@seattle.gov until 5 p.m. on June 5, 2023. Please see the DNS below for more information. 

SEPA Documents

• Route 40 SEPA DNS
• Route 40 NEPA DCE
• Appendix A Route 40 Maps
• Appendix B Route 40 Transportation Tech Report
• Appendix C Route 40 Hazardous Materials Memo
• Appendix E Route 40 ESA No Effect Memo

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