News
Great Neighborhood Scans
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Join the City of Bellevue for its upcoming Eastgate and Factoria Neighborhood Scans! The walks will occur on October 4, 2025, from 10 AM–12 PM at Newport Way Library for the Eastgate scan and at the Newport Covenant Church for the Factoria scan. Bellevue’s Great Neighborhoods program is designed so that city staff can hear directly from community members on their values and vision for the future of their neighborhood. This work helps the city develop plans that will allow for future growth. Make your voice heard by attending this great event and let city officials know your thoughts on how best to improve your neighborhood.
Metroflex is HERE!
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Getting around the Overlake community just got easier! Today, King County Metro launched its popular Metro Flex service in the area, offering riders a new way to travel on their own schedule with affordable, on-demand rides that connect neighborhoods, transit hubs, shopping and more — all with just a few taps in an app.
Parking(ing) Day 2025!
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2030 District Transportation Week Oct 27th-31st
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The Bellevue 2030 District is excited to announce Transportation Week, a focused event series dedicated to decarbonizing commutes, enhancing transportation infrastructure, and providing tenants with sustainable options for getting to work. This week will explore strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of commutes, including the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure. By collaborating with property owners, transportation professionals, and community stakeholders, we aim to advance cleaner, greener mobility solutions. Transportation Week will feature webinars, site tours showcasing innovative transportation practices, networking events, blog posts, and roundtable discussions to inspire actionable change for sustainable urban mobility. Join us in shaping the future of transportation in our communities.
Repost from Metro Matters:Ride with Harry to Husky Stadium! Transit is your connection to UW football
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A purple wave is ready to wash college football’s best into Lake Washington! Coach Jedd Fisch and the University of Washington Huskies are fired up for the new season which begins with a game against Colorado State August 30.
You have lots of options for leaving your car at home and take transit to and from Husky Stadium to root on the Purple and Gold!
The Huskies second year in the Big 10 Conference includes visits by Illinois, Purdue, some daffy ducks from Oregon and the opportunity to knock the “O” out of the defending National Champion Ohio State.
For complete game-day transportation information, visit the Huskies gameday transportation website.
Take your pick
Fans can ride Metro shuttles from two Eastside park-and-ride lots, as well as contracted non-Metro shuttles from some park-and-ride lots. You can also jump on the Sound Transit Link light rail 1 Line, riding Metro buses that connect with Link. There are also regular Metro bus service that travels near Husky Stadium.
Park-and-Ride express shuttle bus service
Metro buses will operate express shuttle service on Husky home game days from two designated park and ride lots:
- Eastgate Park-and-Ride
- South Kirkland Park-and-Ride
The Shoreline and Kingsgate Park & Ride routes will no longer be operational. Shoreline riders are strongly encouraged to utilize Link Light Rail and Kingsgate riders are strongly encouraged to utilize the South Kirkland Park & Ride route.
The Redondo Heights Park & Ride bus service route will only be available to fans who purchase a full-season pass for this route. Single-game bus passes will not be available for purchase.
With the purchase of a UW season bus pass or UW game day bus pass, fans can park in the park-and-ride lots and travel stress-free to and from Husky Stadium.
After the game, pass holders can board buses in front of the stadium for the return trip.
Dawgs on the Bus
There are routes north and south that will take you to Sound Transit Link light rail, that will bring you right to the stadium. There are also ONE DOZEN (12) Metro routes that will bring you to within a short distance of the stadium—just follow the purple and the gold!
Plan your trip: By using Trip Planner and see the next trip arriving at your stop with our Text for Departures tool (text your bus stop number to 62550)
Pay for your ride: Be sure to have your ORCA card or Transit GO ticket ready to go to avoid long delays, because you want to be there for kickoff! Remember, fans 18 and younger ride to the game for free.
WOOF!!! We’ll see you on board!
King County Metro adding more than 900 weekly bus trips, improved 2 Line connections
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King County Metro:
SUMMARY
Another boost in King County Metro bus service begins Aug. 30. New and improved routes will better serve Eastside communities and help facilitate connections to Sound Transit’s 2 Line light rail stations. Metro also is adding bus service in Seattle on Route 106 funded by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure. On-demand service Metro Flex is expanding to Bellevue on Sept. 15.
STORY
Metro is enhancing bus service to better connect riders with the light rail stations on the 2 Line and throughout Seattle. Starting Aug. 30, there will be more frequent access both on the Eastside and in Seattle. Full details are on Metro’s Service Change webpage.
“We’re delivering what riders and residents asked for: more frequent bus service, better evening and weekend options, and improved connections to Sound Transit 2 Line stations on the Eastside,” King County Executive Braddock said. “With 900 more trips per week across Metro’s system, regional travel options keep improving.”
Following a comprehensive review of bus service across 21 cities on the Eastside and parts of Seattle, Metro is rolling out service improvements in phases as part of the Eastside Link Connections project. Extensive engagement from Eastside communities and the thousands of riders who rely on public transit guided Metro’s plan, which was approved by the King County Council this past spring.
“You’ll be seeing more Metro bus service, meeting the needs of riders and providing new, faster connections every day, all day,” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Some of these upgrades are laying the groundwork for the further expansion of the 2 Line coming next year and we invite everyone to explore the new places you’ll be able to go on transit.”
Highlights of Aug. 30 service updates
New bus routes improve connections
- Route 203: Connecting Issaquah Highlands, North Issaquah, Issaquah Transit Center, Newport Way, Factoria and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
- Route 222: Connecting Overlake, Idylwood, downtown Redmond, Education Hill and Cottage Lake, and the 2 Line at Downtown Redmond and Redmond Technology Stations.
- Route 223: Connecting Eastgate, Lake Hills, Overlake and 2 Line service at Downtown Redmond Station, with more frequent 20-minute weekday service.
- Route 256: Direct peak-only service connecting Woodinville, Brickyard Park & Ride, Totem Lake, Kingsgate Park & Ride, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, South Lake Union and downtown Seattle.
More frequent buses on weekdays
- DART Route 224 between Duvall and Redmond will improve to service every 60 minutes.
- Route 226 in Bellevue will provide peak service every 20 minutes connecting Downtown Bellevue, Lake Hills, Bellevue College, Eastgate and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
- Route 240 will improve to service every 20 minutes during peak and midday times on a revised pathway connecting Downtown Bellevue to the South Bellevue Station, Factoria, Newcastle and Renton.
- DART Route 249 will improve to service every 30 minutes on weekdays with hourly service added from 7 to 9 p.m. connecting Redmond Technology Station, Overlake, downtown Bellevue, and South Bellevue Station.
More frequent Route 106 service in Seattle
The voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is funding 30 new bus trips per week in early mornings and mid-day on Route 106, which connects Chinatown-International District in Seattle to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, Skyway and Renton. These 30 new trips mean that Route 106 buses will now arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Prior to this investment, buses arrived every 20-30 minutes. These investments will support better access to services along this route, and to the new Judkins Park Link light rail station when it opens next year on Sound Transit’s Line 2.
STM was approved by voters in November 2020 and is funded by a 0.15% sales tax through early 2027. The Seattle Transit Measure supports transit access and frequency across Seattle.
“Seattle Transit Measure investments are a testament to our commitment to equitable and accessible transit for all,” SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery said. “We are supporting our King County Metro partners’ regional service investments with more service on Route 106, ensuring that our neighbors who depend the most on transit have more frequent, reliable connections to essential services and new Link light rail stations in the future. These improvements reflect the power of collaboration and the voices of our residents. They are part of a set of bold investments we’re making as a City to enhance transit for everyone.”
Enhanced Eastside service that launched in June will continue
- Route 204 (Mercer Island): Metro launched all-new Sunday service, providing 10 round trips and matching the number of trips provided on Saturdays. Riders can request off-route trips in the DART service areas northeast of I-90 and on the south end of the island.
- Route 930 (Kirkland, Redmond): Metro added evening trips to create steady hourly service from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Riders can request off-route trips in the Route 930 DART service areas along Willows Road.
- Route 931: (UW Bothell, Woodinville, Cottage Lake and Duvall): This reinstated and revised weekday peak-only DART route launched in June. Service runs every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Riders can request off-route trips in the Route 931 DART service areas in Bothell and Duvall. Reservations can be made via phone (1-866-261-3278), TTY (1-800-246-1646) or online form.
New Metro Flex coming to Overlake in Bellevue Sept. 15
Metro Flex’s upcoming service area in Bellevue will allow riders to connect to and from 2 Line service at Overlake Village Station. Metro Flex is your on-demand neighborhood transit service. With one simple app or booking by phone, a vehicle will take you anywhere in the service area, all for the same cost as a bus trip. Metro Flex is convenient, fast, affordable transit at your fingertips. Metro will pilot electric vehicles in Bellevue. Details and the service area map will be available soon on the Metro Flex webpage.
More details and help for riders online, via customer service
Riders can review the route updates on Metro’s web page in English, 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), Русский (Russian), Español (Spanish) and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese). Additional languages are available by using an online translation tool. Bus trip schedules will be updated across most bus routes, and new orange timetables will soon be available on buses and at popular transit locations.
Metro’s customer information office can answer questions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 206-553-3000. Also, Metro’s Trip Planner will be updated before Aug. 30 so riders can plan future travel.
Fare changes coming Sept. 1
As Metro has previously shared, fares are increasing to $3 for its buses, Metro Flex, and Seattle Streetcar starting Sept. 1, 2025. King County Water Taxi adult fares using an ORCA card will increase by 25 cents, and ORCA LIFT discounted fares on water taxis will be reduced to $1. Riders are encouraged to update their ORCA card autoloads and monthly PugetPass. Reduced fare options are available for riders with lower incomes, and for seniors and riders with disabilities.
Relevant links
- King County Metro home page
- King County Metro service change web page
Bellevue City Council Roundup
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Grand Connection approaches new milestones plus, code amendment for e-scooters, Sustainable Bellevue plan update and tourism area budget
From WSDOT: The One With The Big Closure (And the Next Four Weeks)
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By: RB McKeon
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No monkey business here — Revive I-5 is moving into the next phase. This weekend’s closure sets the stage for four weeks of work on the Ship Canal Bridge to help keep Seattle moving. |
No monkey business here
We’ve been talking about this for months, and now it’s here. We’re swinging into the next phase of Revive I-5 with a full northbound closure this weekend, July 18 – 21, through Seattle. This work sets the stage for four weeks of lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge. It’s the kind of preservation work that keeps this vital connection through the heart of Seattle strong and moving for years to come.
What’s happening?
Starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 18, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, all lanes of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street will close. This closure gives crews the space they need to restripe lanes and build a protective work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge. Once in place, that work zone allows the next big phase of preservation to get underway.
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During the northbound I-5 closure from July 18–21, drivers heading north through Seattle will be routed onto the express lanes. Exits to Edgar Martinez Drive, I-90 eastbound, and downtown Seattle via Dearborn, James, and Madison streets will remain open. The first northbound express lanes exit is at NE 42nd Street in the University District. |
But wait, there’s more
This isn’t over Monday morning. From Monday, July 21, through Friday, Aug. 15, northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes, 24/7. These lane reductions give our crews the space they need to safely complete this preservation work. The northbound express lanes will remain open 24/7 through Aug. 18 to help keep people moving through Seattle.
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From July 21 through Aug. 15, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes 24/7 between SR 520 and NE 45th Street for bridge deck and expansion joint repairs on the Ship Canal Bridge. |
For southbound travelers, especially those used to relying on the morning express lanes, now’s the time to plan ahead. Southbound express lanes won’t be available in the mornings during this four-week stretch. That may mean adjusting your route, your timing or considering other options like transit.
This isn’t just a WSDOT project. It takes collaboration across agencies, organizations and communities to help keep Seattle moving through this kind of work.
We’ve been working closely with our friends at the City of Seattle, SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Downtown Seattle Association, the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and many others to help people get where they need to go while this important preservation work is underway. Together, we’ve reviewed traffic control strategies, adjusted schedules, and shared information to help employers, travelers and communities plan ahead for this region wide impact.
Once this four-week stretch wraps up, we’ll need one more full closure of northbound I-5 from the night of Aug. 15 through the morning of Aug. 18, to remove the work zone, restripe the lanes and return the freeway to its usual configuration.
We know you’re not on a break (with I-5)
Summer is one of the best times to be in Seattle. The weather, the events, the festivals, the parks – this is when people want to be out and about, not stuck in traffic or figuring out detours. We know this isn’t easy. Closing lanes on I-5 through the heart of the city is disruptive. It changes routines, adds time to trips and creates challenges. But this is necessary work to keep the Ship Canal Bridge in good condition and avoid larger disruptions down the road.
Knowing before you go is the best way to stay ahead of closures and avoid any surprise detours.
Stay connected:
WSDOT app: Real-time traffic updates and tools
Social media: Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Reddit
A little planning now helps keep things moving later. This is the one with the big closure(s). The one with the lane reductions. The one that sets the stage for the future. And with your help and our partners’ help, we’re getting it done.
Lower speed limits coming to four Bellevue streets
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To improve safety for all users – including people walking and biking – Bellevue’s Transportation Department will lower speed limits on four Bellevue streets later this month.
Staying Cool and Safe on Metro During the Heat
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Puget Sound summers can see temperatures soar into the 90s (and beyond) and stay for several days. When the heat arrives, King County Metro can help connect you to community cooling centers, and Public Health – Seattle & King County has tips for protecting yourself as you travel.