Bus and Rail Transit Interchange

The 77th Avenue SE Bus-Rail Configuration

Overview

In order to maximize transit efficiency and reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, current Sound Transit plans call for its regional buses that currently traverse the floating bridge to/from Seattle to terminate at the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride. A few Metro routes will continue to serve the MI Park-and-Ride. At both facilities, passengers will transfer to/from light rail that will serve Seattle and Bellevue.

Sound Transit is building a roundabout at 77th Avenue NE and North Mercer Way to allow buses to turn around after dropping/collecting passengers in the Park & Ride area. This concept replaces the more complex bus turnaround and pickup/dropoff facility area along 80th Avenue SE that was originally proposed.

What's Happening Now

New: In early 2022, Sound Transit will start building the roundabout at 77th Ave NE and North Mercer Way to allow buses to turn around after dropping/collecting passengers in the Park & Ride area.

The 77th Avenue configuration means that:

Only local, and not regional buses, would drive through Town Center along SE 27th Street
Bus layovers will be limited in duration (approx 15 mins) and no diesel idling is allowed
Future bus volumes along North Mercer Way will not exceed past volumes (excluding MI-only service)

Note: Prior proposals for bus-rail integration facilities were all rejected by the City Council, due to ongoing concerns over lack of sufficient commuter parking for residents, local traffic impacts due to bus traffic, and general pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle mobility impacts around the proposed bus drop-off location.

Get Involved

Please visit the City's public engagement portal, Let's Talk Mercer Island to view upcoming events and activities.

Submit Comments

Please visit the City's public engagement portal, Let's Talk Mercer Island to submit comments or questions.

Background

October 26, 2020: City Council files lawsuit against Sound Transit, seeking a mutually agreeable design for the Transit Interchange, and after warning Sound Transit that its plans were inconsistent with the terms of the October 2017 Settlement Agreement. View lawsuit updates here.
October 17, 2017: City Council approves settlement package from Sound Transit, which also ensures that bus/rail operations will be focused at the Park & Ride on North Mercer Way, and not on 80th Ave.
May 11, 2015: Mayor Bassett transmitted a formal letter to Sound Transit indicating the full City Council's rejection of the current Bus Intercept proposal.