Midweek Video: Metro’s New Eastlake Bus Layover Facility

King County Metro will construct a new bus layover facility on Eastlake Ave E and is still in the bidding phase for construction. The project will deliver six off-street and five on-street bus layover spaces and a comfort station — that provides office, break, and restroom space — for Metro staff. The off-street layover spaces and comfort station will be nestled between the street and I-5 from Roy Street and just south of Mercer Street.

The project is meant to support bus operations in Seattle, particularly routes that begin and end service nearby. Buses already layover on Eastlake Ave E, so this project will help reduce competition of limited street use space and provide better outcomes for all. As part of the project, there are right-of-way changes planned that benefit people walking, biking, and rolling and improve safety.

Part of the project will include new buffered bike lanes between Stewart Street and Roy Street. Sidewalk, crossing, and signal improvements are also planned for intersections. To accommodate the changes, there will be parking removal and rechannelization of lanes on Eastlake Ave E. Perhaps the most noticeable changes are planned for the intersection at Roy Street, Lakeview Blvd E, and Eastlake Ave E where the street will be tightened up with a new curb bulb for the bus layover facility, revised lane layout and signals, walking and biking crossings, and flat curb ramps. The full project wrap up had been planned for early 2022, but is likely to be delayed.

Correction: Information in the article was updated to reflect revised project timing details.