press release
The joint effort of King County Metro and the City of Seattle’s Department of Transportation (SDOT) to prepare for the fall implementation of RapidRide Line C service between West Seattle and downtown includes the permanent loss of some on-street parking on SW Alaska Street, as well as on 35th Avenue SW.

The RapidRide service includes the installation of Business and Access Transit (BAT) lanes on SW Alaska Street, which will help improve transit speed and reliability and support more convenient and efficient service. However, it does require the permanent loss of some on-street parking spaces. The westbound BAT lane will run from California Avenue SW to 35th Avenue SW and will mean the loss of 32 of 48 parking spots on the north side of the street. The eastbound BAT lane will run between 42nd and 40th Avenues SW. Some 28 of 59 parking spots on the south side of SW Alaska St will be removed. Drivers are encouraged to use the off-street parking options available in the area, including garages and parking lots.

In addition, the reconfigured northbound traffic lanes on 35th Avenue SW between SW Avalon Way and SW Snoqualmie Street will involve the permanent loss of approximately 20 parking spots on the east side of the street.

Starting on Monday, June 4, SDOT crews will begin installing new parking restriction signs on both SW Alaska St and 35th Avenue SW in order to accommodate the reconfigured traffic lanes. The new “no parking” signs on the north side of SW Alaska St between California Avenue SW and 42nd, along with the signs on the south side of SW Alaska Street between California Avenue SW and 42nd Avenue SW will become enforceable as soon as they are posted. However, the remainder of the no parking signs will be covered (bagged) and not enforceable until the installation of the BAT lanes has been completed.

During the week of June 11 SDOT’s contractor will be installing new traffic control signs, which is also be covered (bagged) until the traffic lanes have been reconfigured.

More information on the project can be found at www.seattle.gov/transportation/tpci_west_seattle.htm.