Metro improves Aurora bus service and shelters

King County Metro Transit has just given an eight-mile stretch of Aurora Avenue North a new look, by installing "crowns" on 17 bus shelters between North 46th Street in Seattle and North 192nd Street in Shoreline.

The crowns are actually blue metal sculptures designed by local artist Steve Gardner. The crowns cap off a bus shelter enhancement program along Aurora that complements significant improvements in bus service along the corridor.

Metro has been working with the cities of Seattle and Shoreline to improve transit service along Aurora for the past several years. Projects include: signal priority for buses at congested intersections; removal of on-street parking in some locations to speed up bus travel; more frequent bus service; and better bus Photo: Bus shelter at night

shelters with improved locations, lighting inside the shelters, benches, and the new crowns. Additional crowns will be installed in 2005, as other bus zone improvement projects are completed along the corridor.

"Metro collaborated with the city of Seattle, the city of Shoreline and artist Steve Gardner to come up with a low-tech, low-cost design that give the bus stops an integrated look along the Aurora corridor," said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. "The 'water, mountain, nature' theme of the artwork speaks to the idea that taking the bus is an environmentally friendly way to travel and as natural as rainwater in the Northwest. It is also a fitting way to 'crown' all our hard work to improve this transit corridor."

One of the first steps that made the Aurora corridor more transit friendly was the installation of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology at 19 intersections, a project that was completed in 2002. TSP allows specially equipped buses to communicate with an approaching traffic signal and ask it to provide additional green light time for the bus.

Then in 2003, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Metro worked closely with businesses and the surrounding neighborhoods to address congestion between North 85th and North 105th streets. Parking was restricted for approximately 10 blocks to help ease congestion, resulting in better transit and traffic flow and access to businesses. A southbound Business Access and Transit (BAT) lane was installed to provide a dedicated travel lane during the morning commute for buses from North 50th Street to North 40th Street. Seattle also has plans to redevelop its section of Aurora between North 110th and North 145th streets. The city has selected a consultant to initiate the design and environmental phase of the project.

In September 2003, Metro significantly increased service on Route 358, which supplies most of the transit service on Aurora Avenue North. The route now runs, at minimum, every 15 minutes in both directions Monday through Saturday, and every 20 minutes on Sundays. The schedule improvements attracted 1,000 additional daily riders in the first year they were implemented.

Shoreline is currently working on plans to redevelop its section of Aurora. Phase 1 is the section between North 145th and North 165th streets. Construction will begin in 2005, and include: new curb, gutter and sidewalk on both sides of the street; new stormwater drainage system; transit right-turn-only curb lanes in both directions; new signals and related communication systems; upgraded bus stops; improved street lighting; and new access management measures to improve safety.

Overall, the busiest sections of Aurora Avenue North carry more than 40,000 cars and 7,200 bus riders daily. The city of Seattle has estimated that Aurora will experience a 35 percent increase in traffic over the next 15 years. Plus, the Route 358 is among Metro's top five transit routes in all of King County, with more than 2.5 million passenger trips per year. Ridership on the 358 has increased 20 percent in the past several years.

Northshore Park-and-Ride closes Jan. 15

The Kenmore Park-and-Ride, at 7346 NE Bothell Way, has been expanded with more than 200 new parking spaces that can also be accessed from 73rd Avenue Northeast. This brings the total number of parking spaces at the Kenmore lot to 633 stalls.

There are also some bus route changes being made in conjunction with the closure of the Northshore lot. Routes 306 and 372 will no longer serve the Northshore lot after Jan. 14. Visit Metro Online for all the details.

Reduced bus service on MLK holiday

Metro will observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 17. Most Metro bus routes will operate on a regular weekday schedule, but there is reduced service on some peak-commute routes and those serving the University of Washington. Sunday and family fares will be in effect on all Metro routes.

• Reduced service includes the cancellation of the following routes: 45, 46, 76, 77, 79, 133, 167, 197, 202, 205, 272, 277, 304, 308, 311 and 373.

• When the University of Washington is not in session, Metro cancels designated trips on the following routes: 65, 67, 68, 271, 372 and ST 540.

• School Custom Bus routes are cancelled.

• The Waterfront Streetcar will operate on a regular weekday schedule, and the bus tunnel will be open.

• All Metro business offices, including Metro's Rider Information call center, will be closed.

Check Metro Online for all the details.

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Roadwork Ahead

Here is a list of King County Department of Transportation projects that may disrupt traffic and travel in the coming weeks:

South 277th Street, between Auburn and Kent Motorists may experience periodic traffic disruptions on South 277th Street between the West Valley Highway and 72nd Avenue South through October 2005 as a result of a major reconstruction project.