Sound Transit has broken ground on its new Stride S3 line, a major bus rapid transit (BRT) project that will deliver faster and more reliable journeys for communities along the SR 522 corridor in north Lake Washington.
Once complete, the route will be served by 15 60-foot battery electric buses, offering frequent, zero-emission service between key residential and employment centres.
The S3 line will link Shoreline South Station with Bothell, travelling via Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.
The project includes the construction of 14 new stations equipped with real-time arrival information and large covered shelters. Improvements along the corridor will also feature new business access and transit (BAT) lanes, upgraded pavements, landscaping and intersection enhancements designed to improve safety and efficiency.
Services are expected to operate every 10 to 15 minutes for up to 19 hours a day. With transit signal priority and dedicated infrastructure, journey times are forecast to fall from as much as 59 minutes today to as little as 35 minutes once the line is operational.
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine said:This investment in fast, reliable, zero-emission bus rapid transit meets the moment for north Lake Washington communities. Stride will provide a consistent connection between all the cities along the rapidly developing 522 corridor, and to our regional light rail system.
Construction is now underway, with the S3 line set to become a key component of the region’s expanding public transport system.
