As Sound Transit’s Link light rail expands north into Snohomish County, Community Transit is looking at possible upgrades to the Swift Blue Line. These upgrades will give more people easy access to and from the Link light rail and Swift bus rapid transit networks and will take place in time for the launch of the Lynnwood Link extension in 2024.
The Lynnwood Link extension will include a station in Shoreline at 185th St and I-5, less than two miles from the Swift Blue Line’s current southern terminal at Aurora Village Transit Center.
Following an online survey and community outreach in February 2020, Community Transit announced its preferred route for the Swift Blue Line Expansion to light rail in Shoreline. The proposed alignment via 200th St, Meridian Ave, and 185th St will continue to utilize the Aurora Village Transit Center on its way to connect to light rail.
Speed and Reliability Improvement
By connecting Swift Blue Line directly to light rail, Community Transit hopes to minimize the number of transfers that riders need to efficiently move around the region.
Swift Blue Line Expansion Map
The expansion of the Swift Blue Line to the 185th St. I-5 station in Shoreline is a key part of Community Transit’s plan to provide connectivity to Link light rail in 2024
Project Timeline
Phase 1 includes the scoping study, project development, environmental review, construction of stations, the purchase of four 60-foot articulated buses, and implementation of speed and reliability improvements primarily south of Airport Road.
Phase 2 to be completed after 2024, will include additional speed and reliability improvements in the Swift Blue Line corridor.
Business Access and Transit (BAT) Lanes
BAT lanes require all vehicles to turn right, except buses.
Additional BAT lanes would allow buses to move more reliably through the corridor during all hours of the day while providing an opportunity for drivers to access businesses along each block easily.
