New RapidRide J Bus Project Breaks Ground in the U District

October 8, 2024

In early October, Seattle broke ground on its latest RapidRide bus project right here in the U District. The RapidRide J Line is a high-frequency bus service that will connect the U District to Eastlake, South Lake Union, Belltown, and Downtown Seattle. The J Line will replace King County Metro Route 70. 

On Tuesday, October 8, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, along with UDP Executive Director Don Blakeney and representatives from the City of Seattle, the University of Washington, transportation advocacy groups, and neighborhood stakeholders gathered to announce the start of RapidRide J Line construction. 

“The RapidRide J Line is an important transit upgrade for the U District, which has become a key transit hub for North Seattle,” said UDP Executive Director, Don Blakeney. “This increase in access will better serve our campus community, attract more visitors, and support more of the daily commuters who are choosing to live in the U District. We are pleased to see such a significant transit investment in one of Seattle’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.”

In the U District, the J Line’s northbound route will cross the University Bridge and run on 11th Ave NE. The northbound route will terminate on NE 43rd St just west of U District Station. The southbound route will start at NE 45th Street with a loop around U District Station, before continuing west to Roosevelt Way NE and south across the University Bridge into Eastlake.

Key features of the RapidRide J Line include:

1. Frequent Service: The J Line will run every 7-10 minutes during peak hours, ensuring riders don’t have to wait long for a bus.
2. Bus-Only Lanes: Dedicated lanes for buses along portions of the route will help bypass traffic congestion, improving travel times.
3. Traffic Signal Priority: Special technology will be used to give buses priority at traffic signals, reducing delays at intersections.
4. Enhanced Stations: RapidRide stations will have features like real-time arrival information, lighting, and weather protection to improve the rider experience.
5. All-Day Service: The J Line will operate all day and into the evening, making it a reliable option for commuters, students, and anyone needing flexible transportation.

The U District Partnership has been an active stakeholder in the City’s outreach and design process for the RapidRide J Line project. We provided input on the route, sidewalk and bike lane design, and stop/station infrastructure. We will continue to act as a liaison between the City and local businesses, property owners, and residents as construction proceeds.

The U District has long been North Seattle’s transportation hub, from the 19th and 20th century street car that connected the neighborhood across Lake Union, to the new Link Light Rail Station that opened as a part of the Northgate extension in 2021. That station is now one of the busiest in the Link network, and connects with dozens of King County Metro bus lines. The J Line will solidify the U District’s position as a transit and growth hub for North Seattle, ensuring that the neighborhood is well-connected and able to meet the needs of its growing number of residents, employees, and visitors.

Construction on the J Line begins this October. While construction will begin in the U District, significant work, such as concrete paving, bike lane installation, and water main replacements, will need to be done throughout the Eastlake to Downtown corridor. Service is planned to launch in 2027. In the U District, we can expect some significant sidewalk, roadway, and traffic impacts on 11th Ave NE and Roosevelt Way NE south of NE 43rd St, and along NE 43rd St to 12th Ave NE.

We encourage you to learn more about the RapidRide J Line project and sign up for the City’s outreach newsletter.