Community Transit Announces Preferred Route for Swift Blue Line Extension to Light Rail in Shoreline

Route to Shoreline would follow public preference and maintain connections with regional transit partners

Snohomish County, Wash. – Community Transit today announced its preferred route to connect the Swift Blue Line bus rapid transit service with Sound Transit’s Link light rail in Shoreline, in 2024. The proposed alignment via 200th St., Meridian Ave., and 185th St. would continue to utilize the Aurora Village Transit Center on its way to connect to light rail.

In February, Community Transit conducted an online survey and community outreach effort to gather feedback from customers and the public. The survey presented three possible extension routes to connect the Swift Blue Line to the 185th St. light rail station at Interstate 5, as well as other possible upgrades to the Blue Line corridor.

“We appreciate the valuable feedback we received from this process,” said Community Transit Director of Planning and Development Roland Behee. “We heard that maintaining bus-to-bus connections at Aurora Village Transit Center was a key priority, and also gained insight into rider preferences for future transit upgrades along the Highway 99 corridor.”

Construction continues on Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link light rail extension

The Swift Blue Line is Community Transit’s highest ridership route and will provide a significant light rail connection for southwest Snohomish County. 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.

“We will continue analyzing the survey results and work with the public and local jurisdictions as we move the Swift Blue Line Expansion toward project development,” Behee said.

Further information about proposed corridor upgrades is expected to be released in August.

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit service, vanpool and alternative commute options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Swift bus rapid transit lines with Swift Blue Line along Highway 99, the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field, and the new Swift Orange Line coming to Mill Creek and Lynnwood in 2024.