King County Metro is working alongside the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to make bus stop improvements for routes 21 and 50 in Seattle neighborhoods. Improving the bus services at three locations along First Avenue South in the SODO area could provide more reliability and safety to the bus service.

According to agency analysis and transit operator feedback, buses face safety challenges and travel time delays when merging back into traffic from bus stops near South Lander and Hanford streets.

From July 11 through August 8, the agency will inform nearby businesses and property owners about early concept designs that will provide improved or relocated bus shelters, improved lighting, and wider sidewalks that will allow buses to stay in-lane while riders board and exit.

Design Concept Improvements

King County Metro and SDOT will work together on the design and construction phases for each proposed location of this project. Preliminarily, design work and public outreach are planned for 2025, construction in 2026, and project completion in 2027.

First Avenue South and South Lander Street changes include:

• The sidewalk on the west side of First Avenue South will be widened to allow buses to stay in the traffic lane while riders board and exit the bus.

• The bus stop will be relocated closer to the crosswalk.

• The existing shelters will be replaced by a new shelter.

• SDOT may create additional time-limited parking and/or load zones.

First Avenue South and South Hanford Street changes include:

• Sidewalks on both sides of First Avenue South will be widened to allow buses to stay in the traffic lane while riders board the bus. The left lane will remain open for other vehicles to pass a bus serving the stop.

• SDOT may adjust time-limited parking and passenger load zones.

• The driveway on the east side of First Avenue South near the bus zone will be removed and become part of the sidewalk that will be widened.

• The passenger load zone on the west side of First Avenue South, north of South Hanford Street near the bus stop, will be removed.