DELRIDGE RAPIDRIDE DECISION: ‘Online open house’ for H Line asks you to choose between 2 options

Three weeks after we reported that the Delridge RapidRide plan is moving ahead – including a name, the H Line, and a later launch date (2020) – a new planning phase has just launched, with questions for you including one major decision between two options for how Delridge Way will be configured along the route.

It’s in the form of an “online open house” that starts here. The introduction confirms that what is currently Metro Route 120 will “become” the H Line. And you’ll want to click all the way through the “online open house” to get to the big decision – what you think about Option 1 (PDF here, embedded below) vs. Option 2 (PDF here, embedded below):

They’re summarized on this SDOT fact sheet as:

OPTION 1 focuses on improving bus speed and reliability in the corridor by adding bus only lanes, both all day and at peak times. A widened sidewalk would accommodate people who bike and walk along key sections of the corridor in addition to the neighborhood greenways, which run parallel to Delridge Way SW.

OPTION 2 would add bus-only lanes in the north section of the corridor between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Alaska St. It would also add about 3 miles of protected bike lanes along Delridge Way SW.

The “online open house” also includes this comparison (PDF here, embedded below) of what the cross-section of parts of Delridge would look like under the two proposed options:

After all that, as you continue through the “online open house,” you’ll get to a survey section. It doesn’t ask you immediately about your preference for the two options, but it does get there, so be sure to keep going. Then, you’ll reach this list of in-person outreach events coming up:

Visit us in person as we spend time out on the corridor the week of March 20. We hope to see you!

3/20 from 7 – 8 AM at the southwest corner of Delridge Way SW and SW Andover St
3/20 from 11 AM – 1 PM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/21 from 7 – 9 AM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/22 from 5 – 6 PM at 21st Ave SW and SW Dawson St along the neighborhood greenway east of Delridge Way SW
3/23 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/24 from 8 – 10 AM on the east sidewalk at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and 17th Ave SW

(We’ll be adding those to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, with reminders in our weekday-morning traffic coverage.) Even if you don’t have time to deal with this now – you’ve got two-plus weeks; the city says the “online open house” will be up and running through the end of the month.

P.S. If you’re concerned about the crumbling pavement on parts of Delridge Way – particularly the northern half – we recently asked SDOT about plans for repaving, and the reply was that it would be done in connection with the RapidRide project. How much, when, and where, we don’t know yet. You’ll see the state of the pavement mentioned in the “online open house.”

58 Replies to "DELRIDGE RAPIDRIDE DECISION: 'Online open house' for H Line asks you to choose between 2 options"

  • KM March 13, 2017 (12:49 pm)

    There was discussion of a new Neighborhood Greenway to the west of Delridge, on one of 37th/34th/30th a while back. Any word on the progress there or how this project would connect planned bike infrastructure to the upcoming Greenway? That update might help inform some opinions (if info is available).

    • WSB March 13, 2017 (1:21 pm)

      We are away from HQ right now so I can’t easily refer back to the entire ‘open house’ but … at least one page mentions the greenways.

  • Bored in WS March 13, 2017 (1:25 pm)

    After going through that experience, it seems pretty obvious that SDOT prefers Option 1. So do I. Protected bike lanes serving a fraction of a percentage of total commuters on a corridor don’t make sense when they come at the expense of the modes of transport people actually use.  Delridge is a commuting corridor; let’s keep people moving.

    • Kathy March 13, 2017 (2:41 pm)

      I suggest we immediately stop subsidizing free street parking along the blocks of Delridge Way that are considered “too narrow” to accommodate all transportation modes, active and motorized. Put up some meters on the street quick. Then see how many people park on the street.  If people find other places to park their cars because they don’t want to pay for parking, then convert that space to adequate bicycle and pedestrian lanes.

      If they do not have a lane for bikes on Delridge, I will take the lane on my bicycle, and the Rapid Ride H bus, and the cars behind it, can just follow at my speed, about 13 mph, through the narrowest right of way. Sorry about that, but there just are no good alternative bike routes through that stretch, the other roads are either too steep or dead ends.

      • Kelly March 13, 2017 (3:57 pm)

        That is an interesting and selfish response. Good for you for being brave enough to put yourself before literally hundreds of other people. Some would be nervous to express such an egotistic, self serving opinion. I admire bravery. 

        • Biker March 16, 2017 (11:47 am)

          “ROADS ARE FOR CARS ONLY!!!!!” – You

      • Kelly March 13, 2017 (3:58 pm)

        Actually, if you opt to ride a bike in the street you are expected to follow the laws of the road and that includes maintain a HIGH enough speed limit. I would naturally favor that we have the police officers patrol for those, like you, who are breaking the law. :)

        • Scott March 13, 2017 (5:06 pm)

          Unless posted there is no minimum speed limit that I am aware of.  If you know otherwise please post a reference to the law. The RCWs (Revised Code of Washington) that refer to cyclists in specific say they have a right to ride in the lane as they need for safety.  Often not safe to ride on the right or shoulder with parked cars and with hole ridden street surface. 

          https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Laws.htm

          Your obvious hatred for cyclists is clouding your grip on the truth.  If you do not want a cyclist in front of you, advocating for a protected bike lane is in your advange.

      • Jort March 13, 2017 (4:11 pm)

        Good idea, Kathy. I will also take the entire lane. If they can’t give us a bike lane, then everybody gets to be as fast as a bike. I’m sure that lots of people would hate that, but think on the bright side: at least residents along the street will continue to get free, completely subsidized public land to park their immobile vehicles. Car socialism wins again!

      • Jason March 16, 2017 (1:28 pm)

        The better option is for cyclists to use the neighborhood greenway which is in place in the north half of the corridor.  I don’t know why you would try to mix bikes with cars on an arterial when you have the option of moving bikes to an existing quiet side street. 

        My basic rule of thumb is, would I want to ride with a child on this bike facility?  On a busy arterial, even with some plastic barriers and paint, the answer is no.  On a side street with stop signs at intersections and speed humps the answer is yes.

        If I’m really dialed in on a nice weather day on my racing frame, I might hold 30 going north on Delridge and not impede all the other street users.  On just about any other day, putting down 15-20 on the greenway is the better option so I’m not the slow thing that everyone else has to drive around.  Basically, don’t be selfish and be safe. 

  • Jort Sandwich March 13, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    Unfortunately they did not provide Option 3: remove all cars from Delridge and convert the entire street to bus and bike use only. That’s what I’d prefer. If people driving cars don’t like it, they can cry about it … while they ride the bus.


    Alternatively, if that is too drastic of a step, then perhaps we can meet in the middle ground and have private, solo vehicles pay a $10 toll for every block of Delridge they choose to drive down.

    I know that this would hurt people’s feelings — very, very much so — but it would definitely help make the buses run faster and more reliably and it would also force people to make better, sustainable transportation choices.

    • JCW March 13, 2017 (8:58 pm)

      Love your Option 3!! If only we could write-in a survey response. 

    • James March 14, 2017 (7:18 am)

      i work on boats for a living. Seattle is a hub for my industry and people in my line of work have to drive to jobsites. We cannot load hundreds of pounds in tools into buses or bicycles. I have to drive my truck with my tools for a living. Your idea that everyone can just hop on a bus or take a bike is really narrow minded. you seem to think everyone in Seattle is able to do it just because you can. 

      • Jort Sandwich March 14, 2017 (9:24 am)

        If you drive for work, you probably truly hate traffic, also! You should probably be advocating for getting more and more people off the road and into buses so that you can use your vehicle for business purposes, and so you’re not stuck behind commuters clogging up your roadway. 

        • James March 14, 2017 (10:37 am)

          @ Jort – I am. I am not opposed to bike lanes. I live off of Delridge and in West Seattle we really only have two major roadways toward downtown, 35th and Delridge. Its increasingly difficult for me to drive in Seattle. It seems like everyone’s idea is to make it as inconvenient and expensive as possible to drive, without considering those of us who need to for a living (or those who need to due to disabilities, scheduling etc.).  There is a need for real estate agents, labor workers, contractors, mechanics, delivery drivers etc. Our commute times are doubling, parking spaces disappearing near job sites etc. and everyone just tells us to suck it up or take a bus without considering that we can’t. I just ask the bicycling community and transit riders to consider other lifestyles than their own when promoting so much restriction of cars.

    • Andros. March 14, 2017 (7:24 am)

      You are such a troll. This is ridiculous. 

      • West Seattle Hipster March 14, 2017 (4:42 pm)

        I couldn’t agree more, I sense quite a bit of anger and rage.    Definitely an “us against them” mentality, which accomplishes nothing.

  • KBear March 13, 2017 (2:05 pm)

    I want it to run on rails and not get stuck in nor contribute to traffic congestion. 

  • buttercup March 13, 2017 (2:36 pm)

    I hope people remember not every person who commutes on Delridge  is going downtown. Forr many its the connecting road to  East Marginal, also some of us live along Delridge and commute to areas in north part of West Seattle. Metro not always a valid option. .These people deserve  to use the road also. 

    • Kelly March 13, 2017 (3:59 pm)

      Agreed!

  • Amy March 13, 2017 (3:03 pm)

    We need a safe way to bike North to South, or vice versa through WS! 

  • JRR March 13, 2017 (3:39 pm)

    Pretty happy to see all the pedestrian work so our transit dependent neighbors can get around, but I feel like, once again, the stretch along Barton between delridge and westwood village is ignored.  

  • CW March 13, 2017 (3:56 pm)

     I vote for striking a balance so that cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians can use the corridor safely, even if that means it takes a couple minutes longer for people to get where they are going.  There are a lot of people who commute downtown by car who could be taking the bus and I think that should be encouraged.  There are also a lot of people who work in this city who rely on their cars for their jobs.  For example, many sales and service jobs.

  • sam-c March 13, 2017 (4:31 pm)

    Re: Option 2: … around Alaska.  There are lots of people who park there along Delridge for soccer practice after school.  Guess they’ll move over to the west side of the park? Don’t know if there are lots of cars there on a typical day, but the curb’s usually full along Delridge.

    • Dani March 13, 2017 (4:46 pm)

      I could be looking at this wrong, but it looks like both Option 1 and 2 eliminate the parking on Delridge next to the play field.  

      • AMD March 13, 2017 (6:26 pm)

        You are correct.

        For those who are worried about having fewer stops or their favorite stop being cut or moved, TAKE THE SURVEY.  There are specific questions asking which stop you use and soliciting feedback about how you feel about the possible elimination of bus stops.

      • Sam-c March 13, 2017 (6:59 pm)

        Oh, ok.  That also serves as overflow parking for the delridge community center and/or youngstown.  At the meetings,  you should remind city staffers to get burley bike trailers for all their easels, boards and power point projectors for when they have meetings at youngstown.  And be sure to get a bike trailer for grandma when she wants to come watch your ballet recital.  :)

  • WSB March 13, 2017 (6:29 pm)

    Also of note if you are interested – I just found out that this month’s Delridge District Council meeting will include a discussion with SDOT reps (while Metro runs the buses, the RapidRide expansion is a joint project with the city, which is leading the planning process, if you didn’t pick that up already) about all this. The meeting is THIS Wednesday night (March 15th), 6:30 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden).

  • Doug March 13, 2017 (8:11 pm)

    Both options have insufficient options for bikes. There is no existing parallel route that serves the destinations on Delridge.

    • AMD March 13, 2017 (8:52 pm)

      The greenway on the map runs the whole length of Delridge.  Were you hoping for something perfectly parallel?

  • AmandaK(H) March 13, 2017 (9:08 pm)

    The City, once again, ignores the Urban Village that will see significant growth in the very near future. There are no proposed pedestrian infrastructure improvements for the area that will now have TWO RapidRide’s running through it, and 6 bus lines ending or beginning at Westwood Village.  

    I really resent the attention paid to bike lanes when pedestrians cannot safely walk around the completely unsupported “Transit Hub.”

    Not to mention the non-access to downtown for the part of Delridge that will see huge upzones with the prosed HALA changes.  

    Shame on you Seattle.  We Deserve Better.

    • Craig March 16, 2017 (9:16 am)

      Hi Amanda,

       I’m looking to understand this comment -“Not to mention the non-access to downtown for the part of Delridge that will see huge upzones with the prosed HALA changes.” 

       Are you talking about the three blocks of Delridge between Henderson and Roxbury where the line is routed through Westwood?    If so wouldn’t there be bus access on either of these roads?  

       

       

       

      • AmandaK(H) March 16, 2017 (9:35 am)

        Hi Craig,

        The last stop for the 120 before it turns down Henderson is Trenton.  The next stop is at 25th Ave (Rite Aid). With such a steep grade on Henderson/Barton Pl (40%), and no contiguous sidewalk on Barton Street – it makes it difficult for people to navigate. 

        Once the 120 continues down 26th Ave SW to Roxbury, the stops serving SoDe/WC are at 20th Ave SW and 17th Ave SW before it turns down 15th Ave SW to Burien.  So basically, the stretch of Delridge without regular access to the 120 (downtown)  (the 125 has changed it’s route, and the 113 only hits Roxbury during commute times) is Trenton to Roxbury.  That is the 5 blocks of Delridge slated for massive up-zones in the new HALA/MHA. 

        The City and Metro need to invest the money into a 120 local, and a 120 express. The idea of a RapidRide is frivolous and unnecessary. 

        • C March 17, 2017 (2:06 am)

          Thanks Amanda

          Just looking a the stop spacing for Rapid Ride along Delridge as an issue, the distance between the Trenton and Roxbury stops looks to be nearly the longest span between stops (about five blocks)on Delridge and where population is dense and western slopes are steep.   Crossing Barton at the metro stop is extremely dangerous and needs to be sorted out.  

              

      • AmandaK(H) March 16, 2017 (1:40 pm)

        Hi Craig,

        The last stop for the 120 before it turns down Henderson is Trenton.  The next stop is at 25th Ave (Rite Aid). With such a steep grade on Henderson/Barton Pl (40%), and no contiguous sidewalk on Barton Street – it makes it difficult for people to navigate. 

        Once the 120 continues down 26th Ave SW to Roxbury, the stops serving SoDe/WC are at 20th Ave SW and 17th Ave SW before it turns down 15th Ave SW to Burien.  So basically, the stretch of Delridge without regular access to the 120 (downtown)  (the 125 has changed it’s route, and the 113 only hits Roxbury during commute times) is Trenton to Roxbury.  That is the 5 blocks of Delridge slated for massive up-zones in the new HALA/MHA. 

        The City and Metro need to invest the money into a 120 local, and a 120 express. The idea of a RapidRide is frivolous and unnecessary. 

  • Mark March 13, 2017 (10:34 pm)

    Option 1.  As a bike rider I find the parallel streets to the west work.  Bikes can also use the bus lane, and would presumably have commen sense to let a bus pass without a bid deal

  • M March 13, 2017 (11:01 pm)

    @ JRR & AmandaK(H) –

    Thank you for voicing the concerns of many of us who live and commute in the ignored Urban Village in the south end of of Delridge. 

  • Kirk March 13, 2017 (11:18 pm)

    Both these options are garbage and a total waste of money. These plans are nothing more than nice drawings. No expansion or revolutionary change. Delridge could be amazing but this is just small thinking. There needs to be a dedicated BRT from a Roxbury to WS bridge during peak. This is not an improvement over the 120. How can they honestly call this an upgrade?  It’s maddening! They did the same with the other rapid ride routes. There should no peak hour parking on Delridge at all, anywhere. This is a major connector not a parking spot for your run down old beater.

  • JRR March 13, 2017 (11:40 pm)

    If people can’t walk around in it, don’t call it a “village.” We need to move large groups of people safely through and throughout our shared neighborhood, not appeal only to the loudest who are just using it as a thoroughfare.

  • DH March 14, 2017 (7:44 am)

    @AmandaH (K) and JRR. What exactly do you think is needed? I walk my dog around and thru Westwood along with taking the bus there to pick up items before walking home regularly. I don’t find it awful for walking. What am I missing? Not trying to argue but I just don’t see the problem other than it is pretty busy, I would expect that, and I’d like to see some of the streets closeby get sidewalks. 

    • AmandaK(H) March 14, 2017 (8:47 am)

      DH – I’m having a hard time answering your innocent inquiry.  Our community was blessed and cursed with a bus lay over at Westwood Village.  Because, let’s be honest, it’s not a transit hub.  The buses are disconnected so people making connections have to navigate the mall – which was clearly set up for cars only – to make connecting buses.  Back in 2013, WWRHAH walked a large group of officials around the hub pointing out glaring problems with dumping 6 bus lines into an area that already suffers from a lack of pedestrian infrastructure.  

      I did a WSB search for “WWRHAH Westwood” and the articles are so numerous, I can’t even link them all here.

      Not to mention the pavement issues on Barton, 26th and Roxbury (have you seen the panels on the south side of Barton at the layover?)  Not to mention this is the headwaters of the Longfellow Creek.  Not to mention the multiple grants WWRHAH has written to get crosswalks and pedestrian improvements, and have been rejected. Not to mention the seniors living in the area, kids on the “safe route to school” or people with disabilities riding in the Middle of the streets because there are no sidewalks or curb cuts large enough to handle wheelchairs.

      I am livid, no, beyond livid, that the City would dare to give us “Options” for improving sidewalks and bike infrastructure that ALREADY EXIST in the northern part of Delridge, without ANY pedestrian infrastructure to a transit rich area, that is also slated for HUGE up-zones.  

      I have been told over and over and over by multiple SDOT and City officials there is “no money” for these improvements.  Well, I’m calling you out City of Seattle. Apparently there is money, just not for the people who really need it.


      • James March 14, 2017 (9:28 am)

        Agree 100% – The Westwood surrounding area is often overlooked. The transit “hub” is just a dumping ground for big, ugly loud buses.  I see pedestrians walking in the street all of the time. 24th ave SW heading toward Trenton has NO sidewalks even though its a common walkthrough for Chief Sealth students to/from school and Westwood.

        Not sure what it will take for the city to pay attention to this side of town.

        • West Seattle since 1979 March 16, 2017 (11:04 am)

          Where would be a better place for buses to go?  You sound as if you don’t like the idea of buses in general.

        • West Seattle since 1979 March 16, 2017 (11:41 am)

          To clarify:  There might be a better place for the transit hub, but it needs to be where people can get to it and use it, and also it needs to be near a place where people actually go.  Because of all these factors, it will probably end up either near houses/apartments, businesses, or both.  (Kind of like arterials–they’re noisy, but they need to be where people are.) 

          I’m not sure what the answer is.  I know people don’t like noisy buses near their homes, but other people use those buses, a lot of other people in fact.  The C Line buses are always packed, and I think the 120s are also.  Maybe by the time they hit Westwood Village most of the passengers have gotten off, but when they leave downtown they’re standing room only.  

      • AMD March 14, 2017 (11:05 am)

        It sounds like your issues are the walkability of Westwood Village itself (which is not city property) and the addition of a transit hub to your neighborhood.  There were added wheelchair ramps and sidewalk improvements on the city streets (mostly Barton) a few years ago.  

        I agree with you that WWV is a nightmare to navigate on foot, but it’s not city property so getting angry at the city (or Metro) for its issues isn’t going to solve anything.  

        • AmandaK(H) March 14, 2017 (11:29 am)

          Cute, AMD.  Very cute.

          • Jort Sandwich March 14, 2017 (1:56 pm)

            Why is AMD being  “cute?”

            Much to my absolute chagrin, the city can’t go force Westwood Village to start converting their giant, gaping, always half-vacant parking lots into public land for the benefit of bus riders. Perhaps you’re asking the city to begin buying up the private property to do so? 

          • Canton March 14, 2017 (2:45 pm)

            @jort. You rant like this on a bunch of other blogs, and your page about how to be a troll was amusing. How bout adding a calm, logical voice to the discussion.

      • DH March 14, 2017 (3:43 pm)

        Interesting. I respectfully disagree about some of your viewpoints but thanks to you both for sharing as requested. BTW I’m not not including more because as I said I’m not looking to argue only understand different perspectives. 

      • Kathy March 14, 2017 (5:17 pm)

        King County needs to buy up some land in White Center and create a real transit hub there. The C and the H and the ST 560 could meet up there and connect with Burien Routes. Forget about Westwood Village, there is no room for a real transit hub there.

        • DH March 14, 2017 (5:49 pm)

          Sorry, I really don’t know how to say this in a way that may not be negatively interpreted but feel the need to say it anyway. It’s convenient to push transit solutions to low-lower income communities with decreased power. White Center is already a transit point. Westwood offers amenities not available there. I say this as a homeowner in the area. 

  • JRR March 14, 2017 (8:02 am)

    Sidewalks on barton place, which is a main walking path from delridge, to start. Marked crosswalks… more of them. Priority signaling for pedestrians. Fewer ways in and out of the mall area to prioritize pedestrian safety on the perimeter. That’s a start. I personally think the mall owner is missing a redevelopment opportunity, too. Strip malls with parking and car priority is so 1965.

    • DH March 14, 2017 (6:00 pm)

      @JRR Please see my response to Amanda above. I’m honestly confused. I walked down Barton Pl SW yesterday with my dog and there are sidewalks on both sides. Admittedly, they are not wide, I didn’t see anyone during my time there, and crosswalks seem like a bad idea in that area because drivers ignore them much of the time and with the short line of sight that seems problematic. Just my 2 cents. 

      • JRR March 14, 2017 (6:58 pm)

        Barton street has sidewalks. Barton place goes up the hill to the right and has none. 

        • JRR March 14, 2017 (8:19 pm)

          To edit my previous statement: the one the buses go on is barton place, and it has sidewalks. Barton street, which closes in winter, does not. And I can attest it is unpleasant to trudge up with two bags of groceries while avoiding a cascade of water in the middle of the footpath in the mud, and I’m able bodied. 

  • Millie March 14, 2017 (12:49 pm)

    I’ve read all the comments and find I agree with Kirk’s view.   Once again SDOT is moving ahead with a project that is not workable for several reasons.  #1 –  Where will residents of the many townhouses/condos/apartments park their cars  – we know most of the garages are basically for show and can’t be used to park a car.  #2 Rapid Transit has not proven to be as successful as the city would suggest – don’t forget the traffic situation after the I-5 accident.  #3 Not everyone can bike to work.  #4 Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for many  (job requirements, hours worked,  etc.).  I suggest we should be less concerned about our “own” needs and reflect more on what will work for the majority of residents.  Some advice – we all age – what can be done at 21 does not necessary mean it’ll go on forever.

    • Kathy March 14, 2017 (5:10 pm)

      Millie, 

      I’ve already “aged”, and I have better biking skills at 66 than I ever had at 21. And I feel that people who can reasonably do their errands and trips without using a car should do so, for the sake of the environment and to take up less space on the road. It’s in everyone’s best interest to provide travel lanes for everyone. That doesn’t include a place to store your vehicle on the street. You can walk around the block to get to your car, get a shopping cart to carry your loads if you need to. After all, bus riders have to walk (even farther with this plan) to get to the bus, and use carts to haul their loads.

  • Bryan March 27, 2017 (9:46 am)

    Really disappointed in Seattle for ignoring the bicycle master plan that calls for protected bike lanes.  Why do they spend all that time and money developing the BMP (a second time) and then ignore it when it is time to make other major changes?

    We can afford to lose some of the city subsidized street parking.  Businesses are few and far between and residents can park on their own property – not city property. 

Sorry, comment time is over.