$80 Million Grant Will Expand King County Metro RapidRide BRT

King County Metro has received an $80 million federal grant to build the I Line, the agency’s newest RapidRide BRT route that will connect more cities in South King County, including Renton, Kent, and Auburn.

“Metro’s RapidRide I Line will make it easier to board, easier to pay and will ensure more buses per hour to support riders in Renton, Kent, and Auburn,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “We know this will encourage even more people to climb on board. We are very excited to expand our transit options in South King County.”

King County’s RapidRide I Line will improve travel times and the rider experience over a heavily traveled King County Metro bus line by providing nearly two miles of exclusive bus-only lanes and transit signal priority. The BRT will also include off-board fare payment, all-door boarding, and weekday service every 10-15 minutes during the day.

“Americans depend on fast, affordable, and safe transportation options to get to work, pursue their education, and access groceries and medical services,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Bus rapid transit is the fastest-growing transit mode for a good reason, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s $79.7 million investment will build out King County’s RapidRide I Line to provide faster, more efficient service that benefits the entire region.”

The 17-mile route will have 41 new stations that include shelters, lighting, and real-time arrival information. The RapidRide I Line will also improve rider connections in the regional system, including the RapidRide F Line, Sound Transit buses, and Sounder commuter rail.

“King County has grown by nearly 20 percent since 2010, increasing the need for high-capacity transit. The RapidRide I Line will provide a cleaner, faster ride for thousands of riders in Southern King County, including in areas of the county with some of the highest proportions of low-income and minority residents,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool.

An estimated 50,000 jobs would be served by the project, including job centers in downtown Renton, Kent, and Auburn; two major medical centers; and the Auburn Municipal Airport. Each city also plans transit-oriented development around key stations.

“As South King County continues to grow, the need for better and more efficient public transit grows too—that’s why I work hard every year to secure as much funding as I can for programs like Capital Investment Grants, which is making the I Line expansion project a reality,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). “As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep fighting for more investments in public transit, which folks across Washington state continue to make clear is a top priority.”

The RapidRide I Line is scheduled to begin service in 2027. The RapidRide network is continuing to grow. The J Line (connecting downtown Seattle, the Eastlake corridor, and the University District) is currently under construction, and the K Line (Bellevue to Kirkland) and R Line (through Seattle’s Rainier Valley) are in the planning phases.