(The Center Square) – The RapidRide G Line’s wheelchair access-related issues continue as Seattle and King County work to figure out solutions and cost estimates.
The $144.3 million bus route began services in September after construction began in fall 2021.
However, it was reported by multiple news outlets last month that all of the 25 new bus shelters and three station platforms along the route need to be repaired because of raised bump measurements not being taken into account. The result is restricted wheelchair access.
King County Metro Public Information Officer Al Sanders told The Center Square that the department and the Seattle Department of Transportation are continuing to work together to address the recently-installed RapidRide G Line shelter platforms.
“Catching and addressing construction issues is a normal part of launching any complex project,” Sanders emailed The Center Square. “These issues were identified during our standard inspections and operational testing, and we made effective short-term solutions before bus service began.”
However, SDOT and King County Metro are still working with construction contractor Jansen Inc. to determine the appropriate solutions and final costs.
The departments added temporary orange steel plates next to three of the RapidRide G Line bus stops to slightly raise the buses. This ensures that the left-side door bridge plates operate smoothly at three specific locations where the platforms are approximately one-inch too high.
According to Sanders, this has successfully resulted in Americans with Disabilities Act bridge plates working consistently since service began. He noted that the orange steel plates have had no effect on the RapideRide G Line service nor the use of the left-side door ADA bridge plates since the first day of service on Sept 14.
The Center Square previously reported on the RapidRide G Line construction contractor Jansen Inc. contributing $50,000 to a $1.55 billion Seattle transportation levy set to be voted on tomorrow.
