Bus Route 44
Quick Survey
Note: Information on this project was sourced verbatim from SDOT's Route 44 - Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor project page. For project updates, we recommend you visit that page.
Bus Route 44 Improvements
Improvements made as part of the Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor may include:
- Dedicated bus lanes and queue jumps: Bus-only lanes and signals that give buses a head start to separate buses from traffic and increase speed and reliability
- Signal upgrades or optimization: Transit signal priority extends or activates green lights to reduce waiting times for buses at signals
- Channelization changes or turn restrictions: Changes to roadway channelization and limiting certain turns can allow buses to move faster, avoid conflicts, and improve safety
- Safety improvements: Improvements to crossings and transit connections to help people get to bus stops more easily
The Route 44 corridor was identified in the 2012 Seattle Transit Master Plan (TMP) as a Priority Bus Corridor and the 2016 TMP Update as a RapidRide corridor. King County Metro identifies the Route 44 corridor as a future RapidRide corridor in METRO CONNECTS, the King County Metro long-range plan adopted in January 2017. Metro is currently defining funding, timeline and phasing for delivery of the countywide METRO CONNECTS RapidRide Program. SDOT and Metro anticipate implementing transit speed and reliability upgrades in this corridor in 2023, prior to Metro's future delivery of RapidRide.
Route 44 Background
Route 44 is one of the highest-ridership routes in Seattle, serving over 9,300 daily weekday riders. It is 10.7 mile east-west trolley route in North Seattle that serves the Ballard, Wallingford, and University District neighborhoods, including the University of Washington and University of Washington Medical Center. It also provides important connections to several current and future major north-south transit routes. Over 35,000 people live within a quarter mile of the corridor and over 32,000 people work within a quarter mile of the corridor.
While the Route 44 is scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes or better, buses on this route can be slow and unreliable. This project will identify and implement improvements that provide faster, more reliable transit service for the Route 44.
Key Transit Connections
Route 44 connects with two RapidRide routes; the E Line at Aurora Ave/SR 99 and N 46th St and the D Line at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St. These 2 RapidRide routes are the top 2 King County Metro routes by ridership. Additionally, Route 44 connects to the current terminus of the Sound Transit's University of Washington Link Station. In the future, once the Northgate Link Light Rail Extension is completed, Route 44 will also connect with the future U District Station.
Other Projects Along this Route
SDOT and Metro are focusing many investments along the Route 44 TPMC route. Our project team is in close coordination with the following projects:
While the Route 44 is scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes or better, buses on this route can be slow and unreliable. This project will identify and implement improvements that provide faster, more reliable transit service for the Route 44.
Key Transit Connections
Route 44 connects with two RapidRide routes; the E Line at Aurora Ave/SR 99 and N 46th St and the D Line at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St. These 2 RapidRide routes are the top 2 King County Metro routes by ridership. Additionally, Route 44 connects to the current terminus of the Sound Transit's University of Washington Link Station. In the future, once the Northgate Link Light Rail Extension is completed, Route 44 will also connect with the future U District Station.
Other Projects Along this Route
SDOT and Metro are focusing many investments along the Route 44 TPMC route. Our project team is in close coordination with the following projects:
Three Stages of the Project
1. Planning: Collect traffic and transit data, review previously completed studies, develop concepts and gather community experiences to define options.
2. Design: We work with the community and produce a more detailed project design.
3. Construction: We construct the project and keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts.
Funding
This project is being funded by a combination of Local and State funds. The source of the local funding is the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015 and the source of the state funding is a Washington State Regional Mobility Grant.
2. Design: We work with the community and produce a more detailed project design.
3. Construction: We construct the project and keep the community informed on the latest construction updates, schedule, and expected impacts.
Funding
This project is being funded by a combination of Local and State funds. The source of the local funding is the 9-year Levy to Move Seattle, approved by voters in 2015 and the source of the state funding is a Washington State Regional Mobility Grant.
In Collaboration
King County Metro
Seattle Department of Transportation
Stay in the Loop
Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter.