If you ride Metro buses, two events coming up next month may affect the way you get around. Many are wondering how the October 21st-31st Alaskan Way Viaduct closure will affect routes between West Seattle and downtown, and while Metro is working on that, they also want to be sure you keep your eyes on the upcoming October 1st “service change,” just a week and a half away.
One big change will be, as reported here recently, trips will be added to Route 54, which Metro says will mean they’re “increasing frequency from 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during weekday, midday, and Saturdays to match the existing 15-minute service now offered during weekday commute periods. This is a similar level of service that will operate to and from West Seattle when the RapidRide C Line debuts a year from now.” Three other routes with Viaduct connections will get added trips in the October 1st service change – 18 Express, 120, and 358. Then, there are the reroutes on 10 routes, some serving West Seattle, that will start October 1st and last for at least four years, as well as temporary reroutes for that Viaduct closure:
Per Metro’s Linda Thielke, who we contacted today to ask for updates on upcoming changes:
Rerouting some service is another way Metro is working to avoid construction-related congestion. Starting Oct. 1, the Metro routes that currently use 1st Avenue South in the SODO area will have revised routing that is expected to last for at least four years. Routes 21, 22, 37 northbound, 56, 57, 85 Night Owl, 116, 118, 119 and 132 will move from 1st Avenue South to travel on 4th Avenue South between South Lander Street and Edgar Martinez Drive South.
Here’s the online info about the October 1st “service changes.
Last but not least, there are temporary reroutes JUST for the October 21st-31st AWV closure:
During that time, another 11 routes that currently use the viaduct will be rerouted to 4th Avenue South just for the nine-day closure. When the viaduct reopens, those 11 routes will begin using the new viaduct bypass currently under construction. Watch for more information about this closure-related reroute in early October.
Thielke tells WSB that the “turn-by-turn” details of those reroutes are still being finalized.
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