Wondering when buses will start using the Columbia Street transit pathway?

(West end of Columbia Street plan – see here for other blocks’ configuration)

Many who ride Metro between West Seattle and downtown have been asking about the status of the new transit pathway involving Alaskan Way and Columbia Street. Last we heard from SDOT was a January estimate, so we’ve been asking them if that’s still accurate. We talked late today with city spokesperson Lauren Stensland. She says they don’t have a date yet but that “early 2020” remains accurate. The city and Metro are working out details as Columbia work gets finished, she says; Metro generally likes to give three weeks’ notice of routing changes, so at this point it’s not likely to happen before late January. Stensland said they hope to have a date set by the end of next week. When up and running, the new 2-way Columbia Street will be used by routes including 21x, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, and C Line.

Jen January 6, 2020 (6:53 pm)

Will these buses continue to use 1st Ave or will they transition to 99S?

WSB January 6, 2020 (7:33 pm)

1st Ave. is the “interim” pathway as shown here:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/transportation/metro/programs-projects/alaskan-way-viaduct/interim-and-permanent-southend-pathways.pdf
- Jen January 6, 2020 (7:58 pm)
  
  Thanks so much! Can’t wait to not deal with that anymore coming home from SODO

Bus rider January 6, 2020 (7:06 pm)

Thank you for the update. From my inexperienced eye, February opening at the earliest.

120rider January 6, 2020 (8:00 pm)

HALL-UH-*******-LUYAH!!!! finally some relief from 120 southbound sodo train track commute from hell. The sooner the better Lauren. tick tock, let’s GO. A decade’s not enough?

East Coast Cynic January 6, 2020 (9:08 pm)

A lot of wiggle room, e.g., “early 2020”, the SDOT is giving itself for when Columbia Street will be ready:/. Could end up being as late as the end of March.

WSB January 6, 2020 (9:52 pm)

I asked her specifically if it would be as late as Metro’s service change in March. She said no.

AMD January 6, 2020 (9:49 pm)

“Early 2020” is not inspiring confidence… :(

Eric1 January 6, 2020 (10:43 pm)

Lol AMD you lack of confidence in “early 2020” made me laugh thinking about the warnings we got about writing checks. Are we sure that SDOT announcement didn’t just say “early 20” as the projected finish date. As in “early 2021” or “early 2022” depending upon how long it really takes. LOL………

Jim P. January 6, 2020 (11:11 pm)

Gone from “January” to “early 2020″. Oh my. Maybe a combined opening with the West Seattle light Rail before all is said and done.”Stensland said they hope to have a date set by the end of next week” And I *hope* to win the lottery by the end of next week. Sigh.

WSB January 7, 2020 (12:14 am)

No, actually, the “early 2020” messaging goes back to last fall, as noted here:
https://westseattleblog.com/2019/09/followup-columbia-street-pathway-downtown-to-be-done-by-december/

SDOT’s Heather Marx said January at an event we covered in November, so I’ve been going with that.
- sam-c January 7, 2020 (6:13 am)
  
  2920? that’s quite a bit longer ?!? :) ;)
  - WSB January 7, 2020 (8:11 am)
    
    Sorry, fixed.
- Kyle January 7, 2020 (9:31 am)
  
  At one point, they had said it would be done by December :(https://westseattleblog.com/2019/09/followup-columbia-street-pathway-downtown-to-be-done-by-december/
  - CAM January 7, 2020 (11:10 am)
    
    That’s the same link referenced above by the blog. The content of the post indicates that while an estimated completion date was December, it was estimated to “open” in early 2020.

Brayton January 7, 2020 (6:42 am)

I wish I hadn’t read this post. I had basically forgotten the work was being done. I would rather have nothing reported until there was something to look forward to rather than a carrot on a stick.

CAM January 7, 2020 (9:52 am)

Slightly related, but is there an update on Lander? That should be nearing completion as well, right?

West Seattle Hipster January 7, 2020 (2:50 pm)

Probably not until the fall of this year:https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bridges-stairs-and-other-structures/bridges/lander-st-bridgeUnfortunately, it’s an SDOT project.

Lagartija Nick January 7, 2020 (12:13 pm)

I really hope this works better for evening bus commuters out of downtown. But my experience driving south on Alaskan Way has been a major backup at the ferry terminal entrance south of Columbia. I hope I’m wrong but it’s taken me upwards of 45 minutes to an hour just to get through that intersection.

Jon Wright January 7, 2020 (8:22 pm)

I think Alaskan Way is still w-a-y better than 1st. Nevertheless, a couple things would improve the flow on Alaskan Way. First, immediately impound any taxi, Uber, Lyft the second they stop to pick up or drop off in a travel lane by the ferry terminal. Second, prohibit left-hand turns off southbound Alaskan Way where there isn’t a turn lane in the afternoon. All it takes is one Uber or left turn to create a cascading logjam.
- Mark H January 10, 2020 (7:24 am)
  
  The real problem is that all the passenger loading is full of parked taxis.

AMD January 7, 2020 (9:08 pm)

Wait… what will the 125 route be after this change? Will they not use Columbian Way one way? Or will it turn onto 1st from Columbian? Will it go back to turning on Virginia or stick with University or something entirely new? Does Metro have a map of post-construction routes?

Danny January 8, 2020 (1:55 pm)

I second this question but for the C Line. I’d assume they’ll go back to stopping at 3rd and columbia and then no more stops before getting onto 99 SB?
Michael January 13, 2020 (12:22 pm)

I believe the original waterfront design had some bus stops planned in front of the ferry terminal and pier 48. Not sure if these are still in the final design but it would make sense.