Biden-Harris Administration Announces $64.2 Million Grant For New Bus Rapid Transit Line In Seattle

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced a $64.2 million construction grant award to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The funds will support a bus rapid transit line that will provide service between downtown Seattle, the University of Washington (UW), and other important destinations in the Emerald City. The grant for the new RapidRide J Line was funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Americans depend on fast, affordable, and safe transportation options to get to work, pursue their education, and come home every day to their families,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Bus rapid transit is the fastest-growing transit mode for a good reason, and the Biden-Harris administration’s $64.2 million investment will build out Seattle’s RapidRide J Line to provide faster, more efficient service that benefits the greater Seattle area.”

“SDOT’s RapidRide J Line will upgrade an existing King County Metro bus line by providing improved reliability with bus-only lanes and transit signal priority, decreased travel time, protected bike lanes, and safer pedestrian access. The 5.2-mile route will have 11 new or improved stations that will include shelters, lighting, real-time arrival information, and that facilitate all-door boarding. It will also improve rider connections to Link light rail, other bus lines, and the Seattle Streetcar,” according to a press release. “As the route connects downtown Seattle with the University District, it will provide a new transit option to nearly 50,000 students and 21,000 employees, who receive partial or full transit subsidies. Along the way, the line will travel through Belltown, South Lake Union, and Eastlake neighborhoods.”

The federal support for the estimated $128.5 million project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.