Skip to Main Content
logo
RapidRide bus to West Seattle at a downtown stop, passengers walking past.RapidRide bus to West Seattle at a downtown stop, passengers walking past.

Reimagining mobility along a key Seattle corridor 

To address congestion and improve multimodal travel, the Seattle Department of Trans­porta­tion looked to deliver a flexible BRT-focused corridor. 

Client

Seattle Department of Transportation

Location

Seattle, Washington

Connect with an expert

Sorenson_Tim_2021.jpg
Tim Sorenson PE
Transit & Urban Mobility Practice Leader

Seattle advances a multimodal vision 

As Seattle’s urban neighborhoods grew, its major corridor faced rising congestion and limited space for multimodal travel. To improve service and reliability, SDOT engaged CDM Smith to study high-capacity transit options along its Roosevelt to Downtown corridor and develop a concept that balanced BRT improvements with significant right-of-way constraints.  

Comparing transit alternatives 

CDM Smith assessed options using a qualifications-based tool, helping SDOT select BRT as the most effective corridor solution. 

Optimizing multimodal design 

Right-of-way designs balanced space limitations with targeted improvements at the most constrained segments. 

Engaging communities early 

Extensive outreach helped identify priorities early in the process, guiding design decisions across several neighborhoods. 

Soliciting powerful feedback 

Teams uncovered the most desired improve­ments via an extensive yet flexible public outreach approach.  

“The best BRT projects are also Complete Corridors projects,” said Tim Sorenson, transit & urban mobility expert. “They not only accommodate bus and car traffic but also pedestrians and bikes.” Sorenson noted that the combination of these design elements helps SDOT achieve their goals to improve transit speed and reliability and traffic flow, while maximizing safety and access for all users.  

Curious to learn more? 

Connect with an expert to find out how we delivered this project.

Sorenson_Tim_2021.jpg

Tim Sorenson

Transit & Urban Mobility Practice Leader

Tim has spent more than 30 years creating sustainable, community-focused transportation solutions integrating mobility, infrastructure, and the environment.

Related projects


Aerial view of a highway overpass with onramps, surrounded by greenery and urban buildings.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Improving mobility on I-95 with PennDOT’s Complete Corridors vision

Green playground area with trees and bushes next to a yellow slide and climbing structures.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 years of partnership greens Philadelphia

TxDOT US 67 aerial view showing highway with cars on it
El Paso District

Mixed reality fuels Texas corridor plans

Glowing digital envelopes on a dark background, symbolizing email communication.

Learn more about Complete Corridors

Find out how forward-thinking communities improve mobility, promote equity and enhance resiliency through our monthly newsletter.