King County Metro Corridor 1056, a possible RapidRide conversion of Route 165 — Travel between Kent-Des-Moines StationDowntown Kent and Green River College – has been designated as a Level 3 priority corridor for future RapidRide expansion. In this post, we review the proposed routing, planned improvements, and expected ridership.
Alignment
The existing Route 165 runs between Burien and Green River College and passes through Des Moines, Kent and Auburn. Two main route areas were studied, each with two options.
First from Kent-Des-Moines Station Towards Downtown Kent, the existing alignment between Des Moines and Kent on Veterans Drive and Lakeside Blvd is less densely populated than the alternative alignment using Kent Des Moines Road and Meeker Street, which was chosen for both higher density and higher speed.
From Kent to Green River College, two routes are via SE 240th Street and 132nd Ave SE, or the more direct routes of Canyon Drive and SE Kent Kangley Rd. The latter was chosen due to its higher speed, better access to the apartments and shopping center near SE 256th / 104th Ave SE, but at the expense of bypassing the East Hill community.
And finally, and this is the most important thing: the new RapidRide 165 would score at Kent-Des-Moines Station instead of continuing on to Burien. This consolidates operating hours on the main east-west stretch for higher frequency. Unfortunately, it also turns a one-seat trip from Burien to Kent into a three-bus trip. RapidRide F To TIBSthen link from TIBS To Kent-Des-Moines Stationand finally back to Route 165.
Frequency and stopovers
The existing Route 165 operates on weekdays with a less frequent 30-minute frequency from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
To achieve RapidRide frequency, significantly more bus hours would be required compared to other routes, i.e. 60 additional bus hours compared to the existing 82 (a 74% increase).
For the new station, there will be a stop east of the station where buses can turn around via a roundabout.
Delays and improvements
Most delays are concentrated near Kent-Des-Moines Station And Kent Sounder Station
To address these delays, Metro proposes implementing BAT lane treatments, such as rebuilding existing lanes, using shoulders, or widening roads. The former is the least likely politically, while the latter two are somewhat easier politically but come with much higher construction costs.
- S Kent Des Moines Rd (Military Rd S to W Meeker St): Add a bus-only lane in the left or center lane (eastbound), make the shoulder lane a bus-only lane (westbound).
- W. Meeker: Add queue jumps.
- SR-516 (Central Ave S to 132nd Ave SE): Add a bus/BAT lane from Central Ave S to 132nd Ave SE by widening.
There are two other relevant documents to review: Kent’s Transportation Improvement Plan and WSDOT’s plan to extend SR 509.
W Meeker St / 64th Ave S: The project includes improvements to bus stops on the north and south sides of W Meeker Street east of 64th Ave S and signal improvements, including signal priority for public transit.
WSDOT’s I-5/SR 516 interchange improvements for the SR 509 extension will add new freeway ramps and extend Veterans Drive under I-5. However, no explicit transit priority improvements are listed for SR 516.
Due to the increased frequency and the priority treatment of public transport, the number of passengers would increase from 2,000 to 5,000 per day.
Station locations
The spacing between existing stop pairs is 1,700 feet. The consolidation being implemented will increase the spacing between stop pairs to 2,870 feet, or half a mile. In particular, there is a large 2-mile section of stop skipping on Kent Des Moines Road between Kent Des Moines Station and Downtown Kent.
Diploma
King County Metro’s proposed RapidRide 165 will improve service between Kent Des Moines Station and Green River College by increasing frequency and adding bus lanes. While shortening the route to Kent Des Moines Station will impact ridership in Burien, the increased frequency will provide a more convenient light rail connection to the Kent community.
