Route 48 - Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor

January 5, 2023

What’s happening now?

The Route 48 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor project is now in design! A conceptual design study of this corridor was completed in 2022. We will build on the recommendations provided in this study.

Project Overview

The 23rd Ave/24th Ave corridor is one of the main north-south transit routes (King County Metro Route 48) in the heart of Seattle serving and connecting the Mt Baker, Beacon Hill, Judkins, Central District, Montlake, and University District neighborhoods. Route 48 also connects Mt Baker, Husky Stadium, and University District Link light rail stations.

Consistent with the goals of the Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor (TPMC) program, the objectives of the Route 48 TPMC project are to reduce transit travel times and improve service reliability. To optimize this busy corridor, SDOT plans to make multimodal improvements consistent with the voter-approved Levy to Move Seattle which may include:

Bus Improvements: Bus-only lanes to separate the bus from traffic (depending on the location, bus lanes may replace parking lanes or travel lanes)
Walking and Biking Improvements: Improvements to crossings at intersections to help people access transit safely
Signal Upgrades: Signals that prioritize transit with queue jumps that give buses a head start and "smart signals" that activate or extend green lights for buses

Project Map

The Route 48 TPMC project will focus on identifying improvements on segments of the route that have not been previously studied by other TPMC projects, including the Route 44 TPMC project in the University District and the Route 7 TPMC project on Rainier Ave S.

Graphic showing project location on Rainier Ave S, 23rd Ave, and 24th Ave

Project Background

This project will further advance SDOT's Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor program objectives supporting the community's desire for high quality transit service and facilities to support residential and employment growth occurring in the urban villages connected by the Route 48, including University Community Urban Center, the First Hill/Capitol Hill Urban Center, Madison-Miller Urban Village, 23rd & Union-Jackson Urban Village, and Mt Baker Hub Urban Village. Key connections include the University District Link Station, UW Stadium Link Station, future G Line RapidRide (2023), future Judkins Park Link Station (2022), future R Line RapidRide (recently paused due to budget impact related to COVID-19), and the Mt Baker Link Station.

Funding

This project was funded in part by the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015 and a construction grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program.