Montlake freeway bus stops closing

UW-Eastside routes change as construction starts

May 29, 2019 • UW Facilities

Change is coming to Montlake as the next stage of State Route 520 construction starts. Eastside commuters will be most affected, as the closure of the Montlake Freeway Station means that some bus routes will no longer stop in Montlake while other routes will have additional service.

On June 22, the bus stops located on SR 520 underneath Montlake Boulevard will be permanently closed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This closure is to ensure rider safety and reliable transit access during construction of the Montlake Project, a four-to-five year project to improve access to and across the busy interchange for drivers, transit users, bike riders and pedestrians.

What this means for your commute

The following bus routes will no longer stop in the Montlake area:

King County Metro: 252, 255, 257, 268, 311
Sound Transit: 545, 555
Community Transit: 424

Additional evening and weekend service will be added to Sound Transit Route 542 between Redmond and the University District. Metro routes 167, 271, 277 and Sound Transit routes 540, 541, 542, 556 will continue to serve Montlake Boulevard and the UW Link light rail station.

The closure also impacts bike riders who previously used the free out-of-service buses between the Montlake and Evergreen Point freeway stops to carry their bikes across. Starting June 22, this service will no longer be available.

WSDOT has put together the following suggestions for alternate routes following the June 22 closure. And don’t forget that you can always get personalized trip planning help from the Commute Options team at UW Transportation Services.

Kirkland:

To/from Totem Lake or Kingsgate: Take Route 277 during weekday peak hours. On evenings and weekends, transfer from Route 255 to Route 542 at Evergreen Point.
To/from downtown Kirkland: Take Route 540 during weekday peak hours. On evenings and weekends, transfer from Route 255 to Route 542 at Evergreen Point.
To/from Brickyard: Transfer from Route 255 to Route 542 at Evergreen Point.

Redmond:

To/from downtown Redmond or Overlake: Route 542 provides direct service.
To/from Bear Creek: Transfer from routes 268 or 545 at Evergreen Point to Route 542.

Issaquah, Eastgate and Bellevue: Route 555 riders can take Route 271.

Woodinville: Transfer from Route 311 to routes 541 or 542 at Evergreen Point.

Downtown: Link light rail provides direct service.

Northgate: Route 555 riders can take Route 67.

Why this is happening

The Montlake Project is the first stage of the “Rest of the West” set of constructions projects associated with the SR 520 bridge replacement.

Over the next ten years, these projects will include the addition of a second drawbridge across the Montlake Cut, a shared-use path on the Portage Bay Bridge, getting rid of the ramp to eastbound 520 through the arboretum, the installation of a lid over Roanoke, and an improved connection of SR 520 and I-5 Express lanes. All of these projects will improve safety and mobility along SR 520 and make the University District more accessible.

Graphic: Rest of the West timeline of projects

Other improvements and enhancements as a result of the Montlake Project include:

Stronger bridge structures - A new west approach bridge over Union Bay will better withstand earthquakes, replacing today’s 55-year-old bridge. The new eastbound-only bridge will have two general-purpose lanes and a new transit/HOV lane.
Upgraded Montlake interchange - The new Montlake interchange will feature improved on- and off-ramps for general traffic as well as direct-access ramps for transit and carpools.
New community gathering space - The new Montlake lid will feature landscaped open space, and multimodal transit connections.
New ways to cross SR 520 - East of the new Montlake lid, a new pedestrian and bicycle “land bridge” will connect the Arboretum and neighborhoods to the north.
A healthier environment - New stormwater systems will capture and naturally filter out pollutants from highway runoff.

Where to learn more

WSDOT is holding open houses to provide detailed information about the Montlake Project and the impacts of this first phase of construction. The first open house is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (2100 Boyer Ave. E).

WSDOT has a comprehensive website full of information and updates about the various SR 520-related projects. A few specific pages you might find useful: