King County will be improving traffic safety along two road corridors in East and Southeast areas of the county with federal funding from the Rural Safety Innovation Program (RSIP). The $200,000 grant is providing 80 percent of the funding to complete safety improvements on Southeast Lake Holm Road between Auburn and Enumclaw, and along Northeast Novelty Hill Road east of Redmond.  Learn more...

If you’ve ever wondered how bike sharing works, you can learn more at the King County Bike Share Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Seattle and Wednesday, Aug. 12 in Redmond.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed a multi-year solution to fixing Metro Transit’s budget deficit, currently projected at $500 million over the next four years.  Learn more...

King County is exploring ways to protect roadways during flooding on Clough Creek south of North Bend, and is inviting people to attend one of two community discussions to find out more.  Learn more...

A prediction of record heat is prompting a warning from King County Metro Transit that many customers will find their bus trips very hot as we head into the afternoon hours.  Learn more...

It's a hot time in King County for the next several days, as the mercury and summer events hit a high point. King County Metro Transit is cautioning customers that this could result in traffic congestion and delays for bus travel.  Learn more...

Over the years, bus riders have told Metro Transit that they are lucky to have a driver like Ineke DeBoer behind the wheel. Obviously her co-workers and managers agree, because today DeBoer was announced as the King County Metro Transit Operator of the Year for 2008.  Learn more...

The opening of Link light rail will create a few changes in bus service in and around the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) on Saturday and Sunday. Plus, a big weekend of other special events will result in reroutes and possible delays for some Metro Transit service.  Learn more...

Community members and project partners gathered today in White Center to kick off construction of a new pedestrian pathway that will link the Greenbridge neighborhood to the White Center business district. It is also King County’s first capital project funded by federal economic stimulus money.  Learn more...

King County Metro Transit announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Daimler Buses North America to purchase a fleet of new hybrid-electric buses thanks to a $46 million federal stimulus grant awarded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money is part of $75 million in stimulus funding announced earlier this year.  Learn more...

Starting this Saturday, July 18, transportation options in King County expand with the debut of Link light rail service from Tukwila to downtown Seattle. And in September, changes in Metro bus service will provide even greater options for transit customers. Sound Transit will open the first segment of the 14-mile Central Link line Saturday morning. By the end of this year, the line will extend to SeaTac Airport, and then connect to the University District in 2016.  Learn more...

In less than a week, westbound Interstate 90 across Lake Washington will be narrowed from five lanes to two while crews replace the expansion joints on the westbound floating bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is warning all motorists that the traffic delays could last an hour or more and stretch from Issaquah to Seattle. The work begins Sunday, July 5 and should be completed by July 20. King County Metro Transit is alerting bus riders to several potential disruptions.  Learn more...

King County Metro Transit will open its new Redmond Park-and-Ride Garage on Monday, July 6. The $10.5 million garage is the second half of a project to revitalize transit facilities in downtown Redmond.  Learn more...

Facts about King County Metro Transit's Redmond Park-and-Ride Garage  Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division will replace a deteriorating culvert under 140th Place NE near Woodinville. Work is scheduled to begin the week of July 6.  Learn more...

King County has two projects scheduled this summer to repair Northeast Union Hill Road east of Redmond, and the first one will begin on Monday, July 13.  Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division will close West Snoqualmie Valley Road Northeast near the King-Snohomish county line from July 7 through Aug. 7 to replace a deteriorated drainage culvert under the roadway. Detours could be lengthy.  Learn more...

Many streets from Tukwila to Seattle will be closed on Saturday, June 27 for the Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. The closures will result in disruptions for dozens of Metro Transit bus routes.  Learn more...

Some bus stops along Second Ave. will be closed at all times from Wednesday, June 24 through July 10 due to major construction.  Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division will close 212th Avenue Northeast at Woodinville-Duvall Road from Monday, June 22 through August to make major improvements to the intersection.  Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division's project to repair a section of the Kanasket-Kangley Road east of Ravensdale have been delayed, and will not start on June 16 as planned.   Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division will close the Alvord T Bridge near Kent from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 for a bridge inspection.  Learn more...

Celebrate the grand opening of the Burien Town Square and Metro’s new Burien Transit Center on Saturday morning, June 13 starting at 10 a.m.  Learn more...

Bridge replacement projects in Southeast King County will close three county roads for up to three months near Enumclaw and Covington.  Learn more...

Transit customers who use the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) will see both light rail trains and buses in the tunnel starting this week. They will also see more and more trains involved in final testing of the entire light rail system. But, they will have to wait just a bit longer to ride light rail while bus drivers and rail operators get two months of real-time experience.  Learn more...

With the introduction of the nation’s first mass-produced, commercially available electric vehicles less than a year away, King County is working with other municipal leaders to spearhead an effort that could transform the Seattle metropolitan area into a nationwide hub for green-vehicle technology. The county’s Department of Transportation today briefed members of the Metropolitan King County Council on several partnerships in the works with the federal government, other municipalities and private companies – such as Ford Motor Company and Nissan – to bring some of the nation’s cleanest fuels and hybrid-electric technology available to our area. These partnerships come just seven months after the county launched a groundbreaking initiative to develop and test new clean-vehicle technologies and to spur nationwide consumer demand for electric and battery powered vehicles.  Learn more...

As King County Metro Transit grapples with one of the worst revenue shortfalls in its history, the arrival of nearly $14 million in new federal grant money couldn’t have come at a better time. That funding, announced today by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), comes as Metro prepares to road test the latest addition to its fleet – a cost-effective state-of-the-art hybrid bus that will move Metro’s new “RapidRide” service one step closer to reality.  Learn more...

As King County Metro Transit grapples with one of the worst revenue shortfalls in its history, the arrival of nearly $14 million in new federal grant money couldn’t have come at a better time. That funding, announced today by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), comes as Metro prepares to road test the latest addition to its fleet – a cost-effective state-of-the-art hybrid bus that will move Metro’s new “RapidRide” service one step closer to reality.  Learn more...

Metro Transit debuts new tools to keep you in the loop Improved website, alerts help customers keep tabs on service A new online look and two new notification tools unveiled today by King County Metro will help customers stay in touch with the latest transit news and disruptions. A more user-friendly Metro Online home page, a new “KCMetro-Alert” email subscription service and a pilot project called, “Eye on Your Metro Commute” are all designed to keep customers informed of incidents that could cause delays in bus service. These products are part of a series of improvements Metro has committed to delivering following one of the worst winter storm seasons in recent memory. These new services will not provide continuous real-time bus information about every route, but they will alert riders of disruptions that may impact bus service during morning and afternoon commutes. “During this winter’s storms, I received many emails and calls from Metro riders who were frustrated because they were unable to find out when and where buses were running,” Metropolitan King County Council Chair Dow Constantine said. “I spoke out immediately, calling on Metro to use universally available web technology to notify customers of disruptions to regular bus service. I’m pleased that Metro has taken these initial steps to improve communications with bus riders, and I plan to continue working with the agency on these issues in the future.” Wondering how severe weather, multiple downtown Seattle sporting events or a major traffic construction could affect Metro bus service? Then subscribe to KCMetro-Alerts, an online email subscription service that provides general information about major disruptions. When you sign up, news is sent to any email address you specify. You can also view the new transit alert feature by clicking on the “Alerts” quick link on the Metro Online home page. Just as traffic reporters alert motorists of spot problems on roadways, Metro’s own “transit reporters” are launching another online product, “Eye on Your Metro Commute.” As part of the pilot project, they will monitor information coming into Metro’s Transit Control Center during daily morning and afternoon commutes and will share what they are hearing. Our reporters will be looking for spot problems that could delay or disrupt bus service. Those delays could be caused by a major accident, road closure, or significant transit operational issue. Updates will then be posted on Metro Online’s home page. You can also subscribe to an RSS feed to receive the updates on your PC or small-screen mobile device. “Eye on Your Metro Commute” will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.- 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. The pilot will run through the end of 2009 and may be extended following an evaluation of the service. Redesign of the Metro Online website is a work in progress, but the first phase unveiled today should make information people use most often easier to find. Visitors will now see simpler web design and navigation – and it will be easy to search frequently accessed items such as bus schedules and the ever-popular Trip Planner. Plus, Metro Online now has more space to call attention to news that transit riders need to know. “These improvements and new services are part of Metro’s ongoing commitment to improve communication with customers on many fronts,” Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said. “Products and services, such as Trip Planner, Metro’s Customer Information phone line and the region’s new ORCA fare card are all intended to make riding Metro as easy and convenient as possible.” As the services are rolled out, Metro will invite feedback from customers in an effort to further refine these tools. For more information about these new products, go to www.kingcounty.gov/metro King County Metro Transit is among the 10 largest bus systems in the nation. Metro buses provide more than 118 million passenger trips a year, and the agency operates some of the largest commuter vanpool and park-and-ride programs in the country. It is also recognized as a leader in reducing pollution with its use of clean-burning fuels, electric trolleys, and hybrid buses. Metro customers consistently give the agency high marks for friendly, on-time service.  Learn more...

The American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Bus and Paratransit Conference, and the International Bus Roadeo will bring hundreds of people to Seattle to learn about the latest information on critical topics affecting the bus and paratransit industry, participate in technical tours for a behind-the-scenes look at local transit operations, and view cutting-edge vehicles, products and services.  Learn more...

Starting Monday, May 4 the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the HOV express lanes on the Interstate 90 bridge across Lake Washington around the clock for up to three weeks. This is likely to cause significant delays for all traffic – including buses and carpools.  Learn more...

Traveling the Puget Sound region by bus, train and ferry will get even easier this spring and summer with the arrival of ORCA—One Regional Card for All.  Learn more...

King County Metro Transit is on target to record its 3 billionth passenger boarding on Tuesday, March 31. Metro staff will be thanking customers during the Tuesday morning commute by handing out commemorative “3 Billion Served” buttons.  Learn more...

King County Metro Transit is counting down the days – and the passengers – until next Tuesday, March 31. That is the day Metro expects to record its 3 billionth passenger boarding since beginning operations in January 1973.  Learn more...

The King County Road Services Division is scheduled to begin its roadside weed control program May 4, 2009. Residents who do not want crews to spray county right-of-way that abuts their property may post “owner will maintain” signs, but must sign an agreement with the county to maintain the right-of-way themselves. Agreements must be completed and returned to the Roads Services Division by April 30 before signs can be issued.   Learn more...

The new Seattle Sounders professional soccer club's debut game Thursday, March 19 at Qwest Field may cause delays for transit service both before and after the game.   Learn more...

Snow began falling in parts of King County early Sunday morning. King County Metro Transit reported no disruptions to service as of 8:30 a.m., but staff in the field are watching closely for changing conditions.   Learn more...

Metro Transit cautions bus riders to expect changing weather conditions for Monday morning commute.  Learn more...

Snow showers seem to be easing up Saturday night in most locations and that’s helping most previously rerouted buses return to normal operations. But the forecasters are telling us there still is a risk of quick bursts of heavy snow which could renew the chance of service disruptions and/or delays overnight and Sunday morning.  Learn more...

With snow again in the forecast, King County Metro Transit is gearing up to keep buses moving and to keep riders better informed. While Metro staff will be chaining up many of its buses overnight to prep for the forecasted weekend snow, new media tools and additional staff are ready to send out transit information on the county’s blog and Twitter sites as well.  Learn more...

People are turning to transit in record numbers for the third straight year as preliminary 2008 ridership numbers show an unprecedented 20 percent increase in King County Metro ridership since 2005. Estimates show 118 million trips were taken on Metro buses in 2008 – a seven percent increase over 2007.  Learn more...

Heavy rainfall is forecast for later this week, which means King County residents should be prepared to deal with flooding and weather-related emergencies.  Learn more...