SDOT announced today that the construction work on the Metro RapidRide C-Line will begin Feb. 13, and hopefully completed by May 2012, weather permitting.

The West Seattle C-Line will be Seattle’s first RapidRide line, and will employ a number of tools intended to speed up buses and increase capacity.

Key features will include:
· The installation of a Business Access and Transit (BAT) lane to allow buses to bypass traffic congestion
· Signal queue jumps to give buses a head start at intersections
· Curb bulbs to help buses stop in lane, rather than pulling over to pick up passengers
· Real time bus arrival information at all stations to inform passengers when the next bus is coming
· Increased distances between stops for faster, smoother rides
· Off-board ORCA card readers to allow faster boarding through all doors for faster loading times
· Hybrid, low-flow buses with wireless internet, and three doors for faster loading times
· Short headway (time between buses). The C-Line will have 10 minute headways at peak hours, 15 minutes at all other times between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., and 30 minute headways from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Construction for this project will occur on Fauntleroy Way SW, California Avenue SW, SW Alaska Street, 35th Avenue SW and SW Avalon Way. Phase One of the project will include bus zone work at the following sites in the northbound direction starting next week:

· Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Rose Street
· Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Webster Street
· Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Myrtle Street

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction leading up to and through the work zone. Loading and parking restrictions will be in place in work zones and pedestrian detours will be provided when construction impacts sidewalks and bus zone areas. Work areas will be active from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during weekdays, with occasional night and weekend work.

For more information on this project please contact Paul Elliott of SDOT at (206) 684-5321 or paul.elliott@seattle.gov. You may sign up for regular project updates on SDOTs project website which also features up to date information: www.seattle.gov/transportation/tpci_west_seattle.htm

For information on changes to bus service during construction, please look for Rider Alert notices at bus stops, visit Metro online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or call (206) 553-3000.

Funding for the project comes from the Federal Transit Administration, as well as from the "Bridging the Gap" transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.