FOLLOWUP: SW Barton repaving is done early. So why won’t buses use it for seven more months? (updated Friday)

| Transportation | West Seattle news | Westwood

(SDOT photo)

4:31 PM THURSDAY: As we noted yesterday, Metro‘s next “service change” is coming up in late August – a time when adjustments are made to bus routes. But even though the SW Barton repaving work is done – early – in the bus layover zone by Roxhill Park, SDOT says buses won’t be using it for another seven months, longer than it was under construction. From the latest SDOT update:

Because construction finished earlier than planned, King County Metro (KCM) was not able to approve the bus service switch in time for the Fall Bus Service Change (which begins August 29). Metro plans to resume permanent bus service and reopen the layover zone in March 2027, restoring the previous stops on SW Barton.

We’re doublechecking that with Metro, which had told us earlier this week that no date was set for restoring bus service to Barton, yet.

ADDED 2:15 PM FRIDAY: We asked Metro spokesperson Al Sanders to explain. Here’s his reply:

King County Metro is very pleased the construction project on SW Barton St was completed in such a timely manner.

While SDOT has finished the project ahead of schedule, Metro’s preparation for the August 29 service change was underway as the work at the location was taking place.

Metro prepares its printed timetables and signage well in advance of each service change period. At the time these materials were finalized for the upcoming service change, the completion date for road construction on SW Barton St was not yet known.

The routes impacted by the construction project were kept on their current locations and stops to avoid the risk of planning service on a roadway that was not yet complete and to ensure customer-facing information remained accurate.

Returning now to the routes used prior to the construction project would require numerous rider alerts to explain detour information. This type of temporary signage could potentially create more confusion and is difficult to maintain during fall and winter weather.

Right now, riders know what to expect. Significant changes right before the service change would be disruptive and confusing. Making the change in March allows the best and most consistent customer information. Metro will send notification well in advance of the service change next March to our riders.

amy August 6, 2026 (5:20 pm)

Well maybe that’s a good thing letting it cure more so we don’t constantly having to re-fix theses problems how long ? Why not do like Arizona did recycling tires and using on the highways i mean come on thier has to be a better way

bill#1 August 6, 2026 (7:18 pm)

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The concrete has been cured sufficiently – they seem to be holding off before further impacts to the substrate – which was and is the previous problem! — meanwhile the Galloping Gerties can continue to beat the hell out of Trenton, 25th, 26th, Roxbury and 35th! — This is just the beginning!
KT August 6, 2026 (7:34 pm)

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Agreed!
Johnny jones August 6, 2026 (7:46 pm)

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That type of concrete will cured in days.

Michael Waldo August 6, 2026 (5:46 pm)

I read somewhere that Germany used old tires mixed with concrete and it made the roads quieter.

Marty2 August 6, 2026 (5:53 pm)

That has got to be the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. As I remember, the original plan was to return service back onto Barton in the fall, so they finish early and now can’t resume service until next year? There must be another issue they don’t want to disclose.

k August 6, 2026 (8:45 pm)

I’m usually behind Metro’s decisions and see the logic, but I feel like I’m being punked here. This was a temporary re-route, I do not understand why we need to wait another seven months to restore a temporary change. The complaints about the increased traffic on Trenton were silly when it was just a few months, but another seven months of layovers on streets not built to handle it long-term is causing unnecessary and avoidable damage. Why do they have to wait until a service change to move some signage and post a Metro alert?

KM August 6, 2026 (9:27 pm)

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Well said!

1994 August 6, 2026 (10:06 pm)

Bu·reauc·ra·cy – excessively complicated administrative procedure within a a government or organization:“the department has taken several measures to reduce bureaucracy”Bureaucracy at it’s finest on display from Metro. Come on Metro – get your act together! This is all sounding embarrassing! I hope this comes to the County Executive Zahilay’s attention.Thank you WSB for reporting on this!!!

AR August 6, 2026 (10:09 pm)

I wonder if the delay is because of the timing of the new bus schedules/the change of service a few times/year? Do they not want to have to print new bus schedules?

Juanita August 7, 2026 (12:29 am)

I also don’t understand the delay if the work is indeed done. I admit the convenience of being able to take the C from the beginning of the line in the city straight home is great. However, the increased traffic, noise and damage to the road on Trenton shouldn’t go on until March. This was supposed to be temporary, not a whole year.

Lincoln Park Eagle August 7, 2026 (9:30 am)

KC Metro is nimble, efficient and quickly responds to the community’s needs… hahaha 😆!

Jay August 7, 2026 (9:41 am)

Flexi posts should all be bollards or concrete barriers instead. They don’t protect what they’re supposed to protect, whether it’s preventing oncoming traffic collisions or protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Choosing to protect dents and scratches to the body panels of cars when drivers are careless over saving lives in the event of a real potential collision is really irresponsible on the part of SDOT. You’re balancing the scratch to a bumper of an inattentive driver against the risk of a car at speed drifting into an oncoming traffic lane. This is really, really bad.

Juanita August 7, 2026 (1:31 pm)

I also don’t understand why they just didn’t say the service wouldn’t be restored until March from the beginning? If rerouting is dependent on the current bus schedules, the original projected target completion of fall 2026 would have meant the buses wouldn’t return to regular route until March anyway. Why not just be upfront and say that and we would have been pleasantly surprised if it was able to happen sooner.