(The Center Square) – King County Metro is receiving almost $80 million federal grant to help upgrade its bus line running through several major south King County cities.
The Federal Transportation Administration’s grant was announced on Wednesday. It will be applied to Metro’s newest RapidRide route, the I line, which will run through south King County cities including Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Construction on the I line is set to begin this year after six years in the design phase.
The line is scheduled to begin service in 2027. It’s meant to enhance State Route 160 between Auburn Station and downtown Renton.
“The RapidRide I Line represents another milestone in the expansion of King County’s high-capacity transit network,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a news release. “This new service will provide fast, frequent connections for our growing South King County communities.”
According to King County Metro Public Information Officer Elaine Porterfield, total project funding for the I line is $174 million. The funding includes the almost $80 million FTA grant, $27 million from Washington state, and $19 million from the Puget Sound Regional Council, plus $48 million in King County funds.
King County Metro’s RapidRide routes include designated bus lanes to avoid traffic and run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes on weekends.
King County is working to expand RapidRide services throughout the county. This includes the J Line that connects downtown Seattle, the Eastlake corridor and the University District, which is currently under construction.
Two RapidRide lines that will run from Bellevue to Kirkland and through Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood are in the planning phase.
