Seattle Completes Major Route 40 Corridor Upgrades
The city finishes a project adding bus-priority lanes and improved pedestrian infrastructure to the popular transit route.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Seattle has officially finished the Route 40 Transit-Plus Multimodal Corridor Project, aimed at reducing traffic delays and enhancing bus reliability. The initiative introduces dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian infrastructure across the city.
Why it matters
The corridor improvements address persistent traffic congestion issues, ensuring more predictable travel times for commuters. These updates support a broader strategy to increase public transit usage through enhanced infrastructure and vehicle electrification.
The project delivers 3 miles of new bus-priority lanes and 6,000 feet of upgraded sidewalks. These improvements serve areas including Ballard, Fremont, and Westlake.
The players
Seattle Department of Transportation
This city agency is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of Seattle's transportation infrastructure and transit projects.
King County Metro
This public transportation authority operates bus and transit services throughout the Seattle metropolitan area.
The details
Funded by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure, the project focuses on streamlining transit flow and safety. King County Metro bolstered the route by introducing zero-emission buses earlier this year.
Timeline
January 2026: King County Metro deployed a new zero-emission bus fleet.
October 29, 2026: City and county officials celebrated the completion of the project.
Roadmap
This project reflects a broader shift toward prioritizing public transit and electrification within urban planning frameworks. By integrating dedicated lanes and zero-emission vehicle usage, Seattle is aligning its infrastructure with long-term climate and transit efficiency goals.
Commuters should experience increased bus reliability and fewer transit delays when traveling through the upgraded corridor. Pedestrians benefit from over a mile of new sidewalk improvements intended to make navigating city segments safer.
The takeaway
Investments in bus-priority infrastructure serve to stabilize transit performance across busy urban routes. Residents can expect improved safety and accessibility as these multimodal upgrades become operational.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local infrastructure at Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
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