Drafter
Clerk 10/15/2026
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing the alignment and station locations of RapidRide R Line.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Via Ordinance 18449, enacted February 1, 2017, the King County council adopted the Metro Connects long-range transit service and capital plan, which identified an expanded network of bus rapid transit lines, also known as RapidRide lines, for future implementation, including the RapidRide R Line along the Rainier Avenue South corridor between Downtown Seattle and Rainier Beach.
2. Via Motion 14956, passed September 18, 2017, the council approved a report on the implementation of new RapidRide lines as required by Ordinance 18409, Section 132, Proviso P5, titled Implementation of New RapidRide Lines/Metro Connects RapidRide Expansion, which identified the RapidRide R Line as one of the next-generation RapidRide lines to be implemented.
3. Via Ordinance 18835, enacted November 14, 2018, the council adopted, and the executive signed the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget Ordinance, which included capital project 1132326 to implement the RapidRide R Line.
4. Via Ordinance 19210, enacted November 30, 2020, the council adopted, and the executive signed the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Ordinance, which recognized that the RapidRide R, J, and K Lines, for which community engagement and capital planning efforts had already been initiated, had been proposed to be deferred indefinitely due to the impacts of the pandemic on the Metro transit department and required a report addressing efforts to implement the deferred RapidRide lines as quickly as possible.
5. Via Ordinance 19364, enacted December 8, 2021, the council amended the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Ordinance to provide funding to continue planning and project delivery work for the RapidRide K and R Lines and directed the Metro transit department to make progress on planning for the R Line to prepare to transition from the planning phase to the project delivery phase during the 2023-2024 biennium.
6. Via Ordinance 19367, enacted December 15, 2021, the council adopted an update to the Metro Connects long-range transit service and capital plan, which stated that the RapidRide K and R Lines had been prioritized for investment as the next RapidRide lines to be implemented and identified the lines in the Metro Connects interim network.
7. Via Motion 16153, passed July 5, 2022, the council approved the RapidRide Restart Report required by Ordinance 19210, Section 113, Proviso P1, as amended by Ordinance 19364, Section 86, Proviso P1, which addressed work necessary to restart planning and development of the RapidRide K and R Lines.
8. Via Ordinance 19546, enacted November 29, 2022, the council adopted, and the executive signed the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget Ordinance, which restored capital project 1132326 to the capital improvement program to implement RapidRide R Line and directed continued planning and design work for the RapidRide K and R Lines.
9. Via Motion 16659, passed September 3, 2024, the council approved the RapidRide Prioritization Plan, as required by Ordinance 19367, Section 6.B., which included an update on the status of planning and design of the RapidRide K and R Lines in response to Ordinance 19546, Section 114, Proviso P4.C.
10. Via Ordinance 19861, enacted December 2, 2024, the council adopted, and the executive signed the 2025 Annual Budget Ordinance, which included additional appropriation for capital project 1132326 to implement the RapidRide R Line.
11. Via Ordinance 20023, enacted November 25, 2025, the council adopted, and the executive signed the 2026-2027 Biennial Budget Ordinance, which continued capital funding for project 1132326 and required reporting on the planned opening date, capital cost estimate, planned capital investments, and proposed scope and budget changes for the RapidRide R Line.
12. As documented in the RapidRide R Line Community Engagement Summary Report, the Metro transit department conducted multiple phases of community engagement concerning the proposed alignment and station locations for the RapidRide R Line in the communities in which it will operate. Engagement conducted in 2019 and 2020 identified community mobility needs and priorities and helped shape the preferred RapidRide R Line concept and proposed station locations. Following the project pause and restart, the Metro transit department conducted an additional phase of engagement in August 2026 to reconnect with riders, residents, businesses, and community organizations, confirm the proposed alignment, and gather updated input on station locations, access to transit, pedestrian safety, and speed and reliability improvements.
13. Whereas the Metro transit department believes in the importance of ongoing community engagement to build trust, relationships, and to shape projects that deliver community priorities, the agency will continue conversations with the community about capital investments and service aspects along the corridor.
14. Since 2020, the city of Seattle has completed transportation improvements along portions of the planned RapidRide R Line corridor, and the Metro transit department has updated the project to account for changed conditions and work already completed.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The RapidRide R Line alignment, including general station locations, substantially as set forth in Attachment A and Attachment B to this ordinance, and including Downtown Seattle as the north terminus and Rainier Beach Link light rail station as the south terminus, is hereby approved in order to allow design and construction of RapidRide infrastructure and facilities design and construction to proceed.
SECTION 2. Before the implementation of RapidRide R Line service, the executive shall notify the King County council and the city of Seattle of any substantial changes to station locations. The notice to the council shall be filed electronically with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers. Following the implementation of RapidRide R Line service, the Metro transit department shall consult with the city of Seattle before making any changes to the routing or station locations.
SECTION 3. Before the start of RapidRide R Line service, the executive shall
transmit to the council a service change ordinance in accordance with K.C.C. 28.94.020 that identifies hours of operation and service levels by period of the day.