King County Metro to enhance safety for active travel in White Center

Credit: King County Metro

King County Metro has announced the commencement of a major construction project aimed at improving pedestrian, cyclist and public transit access in White Center. The project includes the installation of four blocks of new pavements, crosswalks and bike lanes along Southwest 100th Street. This initiative will connect the Greenbridge community with the King County Metro RapidRide H Line service on 15th Avenue Southwest, and new street lighting will also be installed along this route.

Spanning from 10th to 14th avenues Southwest, the new infrastructure will provide safer and more convenient travel for approximately 2,550 residents in the King County Housing Authority complex, enabling easier access to the RapidRide H Line bus service.

The project has been shaped by extensive community input. Prior to the 2023 upgrade of the RapidRide H Line, King County Metro implemented numerous safety improvements based on feedback from local residents. Additionally, federal funding has been sought and secured to support these new enhancements.

The project is estimated to cost $3.8 million, funded by $2.7 million from Metro’s capital budget and a $1.1 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). King County Metro has contracted OMA Construction Inc. to carry out the construction, which is expected to continue throughout the summer.

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A notable feature of the project is the installation of motion-sensitive Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the White Center Pond Natural Area crossing. These beacons provide drivers with real-time alerts when pedestrians are present or about to enter the crosswalk, significantly enhancing safety.

This project is part of the broader Metro Connects long-range plan, which prioritises safe walking and biking as essential methods for accessing transit. The plan aims for 96% of urban residents to reach transit by walking or biking. Ensuring safe and secure routes is vital to achieving this goal.

As King County’s only designated unincorporated activity centre, White Center faces unique challenges with limited resources and high needs. This project is designed to improve safety for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists in this densely populated area of urban unincorporated King County.