EVERETT — Community Transit is seeking feedback on plans for its new bus rapid transit line set to serve north Snohomish County.
The Swift Gold Line, expected to open in 2031, will connect Everett to the Smokey Point Transit Center in Arlington, bringing new transit service to an area that’s expected to see significant population growth in the coming years.
Set to become the fourth bus rapid transit line built by Snohomish County’s transit agency, it’s also set to be one of its most ambitious. The 15-mile route could include center-running bus lanes in both Everett and Marysville, the first of their kind in Snohomish County. Those could help improve travel times for both transit riders and drivers, the agency said.
Other bus rapid transit systems across the world use center-running lanes to keep buses out of mixed traffic. That practice helps improve reliability and speed for transit service while allowing car traffic to travel freely without running into conflicts with buses.
Implementing those center-running lanes in Everett and Marysville would not take away travel lanes for drivers. Rather, the impacts would be felt on parking spots — between 122 to 339 spaces on Broadway could be lost if the center-running lanes are built, according to Community Transit. In comparison, building bus lanes on the right side or allowing buses in mixed traffic would only take away about 40 spaces.
But those other options also have their own significant downsides. Bus lanes built on the right side of the road would take away a lane for mixed traffic, practically guaranteeing traffic backups, Community Transit said in an online open house. Leaving buses to operate in mixed traffic would worsen the reliability of the transit service and make the project less competitive when seeking federal grant funding, forcing local agencies to foot more of the bill for building it.
The agency selected a preliminary route for the new line, traveling along State Avenue in Marysville, turning onto Shoultes Road before making its way onto 51st Avenue NE. It is the most direct route between Everett and Arlington out of the three the agency originally proposed.
The route will also include a loop serving downtown Everett, connecting Everett station to the city’s core, serving important destinations like the county courthouse and the city library.
The Gold Line is expected to cost between $137 million and $150 million. Most of the funding is set to come from state and federal grants, with the rest paid for by Community Transit’s existing revenue sources. No additional local funding or new taxes will be required to build the project.
Bus rapid transit mimics some qualities of rail service, like separated travel lanes and off-board fare collection, without the larger costs of providing passenger rail. Instead of set schedules, buses simply arrive about every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 to 20 minutes on weekends.
Community members can learn more about the project and take a survey at engage.communitytransit.org/swiftgold. The agency is looking for feedback on bus lanes and station locations. Responses must be submitted by Oct. 2.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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