Drivers and transit riders may notice new traffic patterns along Denny Way this month as crews begin the final phase of a project to add a dedicated bus lane to
Drivers and transit riders may notice new traffic patterns along Denny Way this month as crews begin the final phase of a project to add a dedicated bus lane to one of Seattle's busiest corridors.
City officials say the goal is to ease congestion in key areas and make bus service more reliable. But some drivers worry the change could push more cars onto side streets and make traffic worse overall.
This map shows the new traffic flow. (SDOT)So far, reaction from drivers and riders is mixed as many say they haven't noticed a significant difference since work began, leaving open the question of whether the changes will ultimately ease the area's chronic congestion.
Robert Golden, who travels through the area regularly, said the backup along some parts of Denny Way is a familiar frustration.
"On the top of the hill, there's always a backup of traffic there. 30-50 cars that are waiting," Golden said. "Whatever they can do to alleviate that will be very productive."
The Route 8 bus, which runs along Denny, is one of the city's busiest routes, carrying about 7,000 riders a day, according to city officials, but heavy traffic routinely throws off its schedule.
"It is a total headache when you get up to the freeway; the line is crazy for the bus lane," said rider Cory Slaughter. "I feel like the bus should have its own lane for sure."
Not everyone is convinced the change is worth the cost to drivers.
"The people that drive, that commute to and from work, it would suck for them, but I think that Seattle has the best public transportation in the country, and I think they're trying to encourage people to take the bus, take the light rail," David Jordan said.
City officials acknowledge the tradeoffs but say the goal is to shift more commuters toward transit while managing the flow for those who still drive.
To address one of the corridor's biggest bottlenecks, drivers heading eastbound on Denny will now be directed to turn on Boren and Howell to reach I-5 South, instead of using Yale.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) says it tested the new configuration during a recent construction work zone and found it cut travel times on eastbound Denny Way by up to 15%. SDOT says it will continue monitoring traffic in the area and make adjustments as needed.
"Reliability can only be good, improvement can only be good, so I would hope we actually do see the change," said commuter Rohan Plummer.
SDOT crews are expected to begin painting the new bus lane later this month, once repaving and other remaining work on the project is complete.
