Business Access and Transit lanes being installed on Alaska Street as part of Rapid Ride changes
Press release
The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and King County Metro to prepare for the fall implementation of RapidRide transit service in West Seattle has begun making changes in the roadway lane configuration. To further support this upcoming transit service, SDOT has also begun to install new signage indicating where previously available on-street parking will no longer be permitted.
The RapidRide service includes the installation of Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes on SW Alaska Street, which will help improve transit speed and reliability, and support more convenient service. Specifically, an eastbound BAT lane is being installed between 40th and 42nd avenues SW, while the westbound BAT lane will be installed between 35th and 42nd avenues SW. Both east- and westbound BAT lanes must be placed in the curb lane, where on-street parking has previously been permitted. Though it requires removing parking spaces on SW Alaska Street, using the public right of way in this fashion will allow the city to better serve transit riders.