SEATTLE — Thousands of bus riders are finally getting a smoother commute after the reopening of Columbia Street from Alaskan Way to Third Avenue on Saturday.
Since the former Alaskan Way Viaduct closed, 12 bus routes have traveled on surface streets while crews demolished the viaduct and rebuilt Columbia Street for two-way bus operations.
The rebuilt bus lanes run in both directions from Alaskan Way to Third Avenue and will speed up the commute for these 12 routes from Seattle to Burien, White Center and West Seattle -- 21 Express, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, and the RapidRide C Line.
These routes faced major delays that peaked last summer, prompting Metro and Seattle to temporarily shift southbound buses to Fourth Avenue South to avoid major rush hour traffic delays.
The two most popular routes out of those 12 -- RapidRide C Line and route 120 -- carry a combined total of about 20,000 daily riders, according to King County officials.
But, the delays and commuter headaches are finally over.
The Columbia Street corridor reopened Saturday to two-way traffic. The new bus stops are now within a block of the Washington State Ferries at Colman Dock and the Metro Water Taxi at Pier 50.
Buses can also now carry riders from the waterfront to the regional public transit network and Link light rail stations in downtown Seattle.
“The Seattle Squeeze has tested the patience and endurance of commuters, and this month we reach an important turning point – putting buses on a better pathway to and from downtown Seattle,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The project was funded in part by King County Metro, with $3.5 million in improvements on Columbia Street between First and Third avenues. Columbia Street between Alaskan Way and First Avenue was rebuilt as part of the City’s Waterfront Seattle Program and included new water and sewer lines, electrical infrastructure, drainage system, and a new street and sidewalks.