The regional public transportation system is undergoing major changes this fall that will impact how you commute to campus and travel around the University District.
- Transit service changes:UW commuters should plan for changes to their transit commute that will occur shortly after the start of the academic year begins.
- Northgate Link opening: Oct. 2 marks the opening of the Northgate Link extension, which includes three stations at Northgate, Roosevelt and the U District.
- Construction impacts: The 43rd Ave and Montlake Bridge maintenance projects will result in continued detours and rerouting in the University District after the service changes in October.
- Vanpool program: If you are experiencing any commute disruptions associated with regional transit changes, consider participating in the vanpool program for direct service to the University and free parking.
Oct. 2 marks the opening of the Northgate, Roosevelt, and University District Stations. Learn more about the service changes associated with the North Link Restructure, including route revisions, additions, and deletions on the King County Metro North Link Restructure webpage.
The transit service restructure intends to create service efficiencies with the new light rail stations, improve reliability of transit routes, and provide 150,000 additional transit service hours in the region as fewer vehicles are traveling to downtown Seattle.
- Bus to light rail transfers: Commuters living north of campus may need to transfer from a bus to the Link light rail during their trip. Several bus routes will terminate at the Link light rail stations that formerly traveled to the University District or Downtown Seattle.
- Community Transit routes terminating at Northgate: As of October 4, Community Transit 800-series buses will terminate at the Northgate Link light rail Station and will no longer travel to the University District. Learn more on the Community Transit service change webpage.
- Bus routes traveling on UW campus: Select routes will continue to serve Stevens Way every ten minutes on campus, including King County Metro routes 45, 67, 75, and 372.
Additional resources:
Autumn quarter at the UW begins on Sept. 29. Transit commuters may experience transit service changes shortly after the quarter begins.
Now – Oct. 2: Current service schedules
To find the current service information for your route, visit the service schedule page for your local transit agency.
Oct. 2 – March 2022: Future service changes
- Sound Transit will open three new Link light rail stations at Northgate, Roosevelt, and the University District on Oct. 2
- King County Metro will establish connections to the new Link light rail stations, restore many suspended routes, and update transit service across King County on Oct. 2
- Additional Community Transit and Sound Transit bus service changes will take place over three days, Oct. 2 – 4
- Everett Transit’s service changes will occur on Oct. 24, which will include increased frequency and additional daily trips
To find information about upcoming service changes for your route, visit the service alert webpage for your local transit agency.
Using your transit agency’s trip planner, use the date of travel feature to ensure any service change are incorporated into your travel plan.
Note: If you regularly use Google Maps to plan your transit commute, the transit feature may not have updated route information until service changes are in effect.
43rd St Reroutes in the University District
King County Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) project to install overhead wires on NE 43rd St and 12th Ave NE will require a reroute of transit service off NE 43rd St.
NE 43rd St between 15th Ave NE and 12th Ave NE will be fully closed between Saturday, Oct. 2, through early December.
The U District bus routes impacted by this detour will include routes 20, 44, 48, 49, 40 and 372.
Montlake Bridge weekend closure
The second phase of Montlake Bridge weekend repairs is underway, which requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to close the Montlake bridge to vehicle traffic over five weekends in the fall.
- September 11-12
- October 9-10
- October 23-24
- October 30-31
- November 20-21
Visit the Montlake Bridge construction webpagefor more information about transit impacts and detours during the five weekend bridge closures.
Whether you are planning for your regular commute or returning to campus for the first time, Transportation Services is here to help. We encourage you to visit the resources Transportation Services has compiled to support your Healthy and safe commute to the UW.