RapidRide road work questions? Last chance to talk live with H Line construction team

(November photo by Gill Loring – new turn signal at 26th/Roxbury)

Questions about road work related to the RapidRide H Line, which has continued months after the bus line launched last spring? King County’s project team has held periodic online “office hours” to answer questions, and tomorrow will bring the last one: 5 pm-6 pm Thursday (December 28), via this link (meeting ID: 228 271 1759), also accessible by phone (253-215-8782). The announcement – which was in their final project newsletter – notes that “we are continuing some paving and punch list work.” If you can’t “drop in” during that hour, you can ask a question any time at rapidride@kingcounty.gov.

Kyle December 27, 2023 (1:38 pm)

Why was no left hand turn pocket to the Delridge community center left for northbound travelers on Delridge? Forces people to drive through the neighborhood around the park or pull a dangerous u-turn.

Graciano December 27, 2023 (2:24 pm)

My question is, When will King County see a return on the investment?

Bus December 27, 2023 (2:50 pm)

They’re seeing one already, with improved transit and ridership, which helps alleviate congestion. RapidRides got a lot of funding from the federal government, so the local financial investment was pretty modest.
Amy December 27, 2023 (6:06 pm)

This route is packed every AM and PM I take it downtown. I wish it was on time NB, but hopefully that will improve with time.
Km December 27, 2023 (7:40 pm)

It’s transit dude, not the stock market.

Ivan Weiss December 27, 2023 (2:31 pm)

What moron made the right-turn cutoff from southbound Delridge Way SW to westbound SW Henderson St. “transit only?” What purpose does it serve, except to make right turns difficult to impossible for many vehicles, which have to negotiate the acute angle of the island there rather than use the cutoff. Can’t they see this is a safety issue? Can’t buses and other vehicles share the cutoff? What is the case for making this cutoff transit-only?

HarborIslandworker December 27, 2023 (3:44 pm)

You know, I used to think that too, after they were finished with the construction… But it’s really not that difficult. If I can do it in my big F150, I know everybody else can…you just gotta slow down a little bit. I’m actually more concerned with why they call it rapid H, is it because the buses come so frequently or is it because they drive two times the speed limit down Delridge… what exactly does the rapid stand for in rapid H
- Daniel December 27, 2023 (6:44 pm)
  
  Rapid buses are supposed to come more frequently, and have fewer stops. Also originally I think you were supposed to always pay before boarding, I don’t think that’s required anymore though (not for a long time), to facilitate quicker boarding
DC December 27, 2023 (4:33 pm)

Wow, if you can’t safely make that corner, you probably shouldn’t be driving! The point of the transit only cutoff is to give the busses priority on that turn and give a safe and comfortable waiting space for riders separated from the rest of traffic.
- Danimal December 27, 2023 (6:21 pm)
  
  Likely it’s to prevent motorists from dangerously cutting off an oncoming bus on Delridge as well. It’s not that much of an inconvenience.
- Kyle December 27, 2023 (8:13 pm)
  
  Yeah but the point is everyone in that cutoff lane is turning right anyways. So they are getting out of the line backed up at the light, making traffic, and busses move forward faster. The cutoff should be shared. Transit only makes sense some places, just not there.
Bbron December 28, 2023 (12:14 am)

I don’t know how it isn’t obvious. the cutoff is the bus station. why should peds have to mingle with aggressive right-turners so drivers can save a few seconds? it keeps cars from crossing a protected bike lane, too. the probability of getting the right conditions lined up to move a significant amount of car traffic thru the cuttoff vs turning at the intersection is zero.
- Kyle December 28, 2023 (8:25 am)
  
  The bus stop is not the street (Why would pedestrians be mingling in the street?). Most bus stops are on shared streets. Also right hand turning cars then have to cross the bike lane 300ft ahead at an even more awkward angle.
- Dustin December 28, 2023 (9:01 am)
  
  Not all right turn drivers are following the transit only rule, so for cyclists it’s still important to be vigilant when crossing the right turn only lane. The “protection” is ultimately just paint on the ground.
Foop December 28, 2023 (10:16 am)

Acute angle? Bro if you can’t make a 90 degree turn I don’t know what to tell ya.

Sorry, comment time is over.