Sound Transit breaks ground on Renton Transit Center
Project will deliver new station, facilities, and connections for Stride S1 line
Publish Date
Today, Sound Transit and project partners celebrated the groundbreaking of Sound Transit’s Renton Transit Center. The project will relocate and rebuild the Renton Transit Center to better serve the regional Stride S1 line, local King County Metro services, and the future RapidRide I Line.
The Renton Transit Center is a key component of the Stride S1 Bellevue to Burien line, which will offer service on double-decker electric buses running every 10-15 minutes, 17+ hours a day. The Stride fleet will be Sound Transit’s first battery-electric fleet, and the first of its kind in the country to use this technology for double-decker buses.
S1 will run primarily in HOV and dedicated transit infrastructure, helping reduce travel times for trips between the East and South King County. The service will also provide easy connections to 1 and 2 Line light rail stations in Bellevue and Tukwila, including a reliable one-transfer ride through Tukwila International Boulevard Station for trips between the East Side and the airport.
The new Renton Transit Center will feature 8 bus bays, covered waiting areas, and a new four-way signalized intersection to support bus operations. To ensure fast and reliable trips, a bus-only lane will be added to the northbound shoulder of SR 167. Additionally, the project will add new sidewalks, lighting, multi-use paths, expand the existing two-way bike lane along Shattuck Avenue, and deliver new stormwater bioswales, vegetation, and plantings.
“Today’s groundbreaking is an essential investment in Renton’s present and future as a regional hub at the crossroads between the Eastside and South King County. In 2028 riders will be able to enjoy direct, frequent, all day Stride Bus rapid transit to Burien, Tukwila, Renton and Bellevue, including direct connections to light rail stations at Tukwila International Blvd Station and Bellevue Downtown Renton.” said Renton City Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Ed Prince. “This Stride station will center Renton as a hub for regional connectivity.”
“Today is a fantastic day for Renton and for future transit riders in East and South King County. This new Bus Rapid Transit ‘Stride’ line will truly knit our region together, bringing Renton the fast, reliable, and green transit service it has long deserved,” said King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Claudia Balducci. “Stride’s battery‑electric double‑deckers, frequent service, and upgraded stations will deliver a quiet, comfortable, convenient experience for riders. Today’s groundbreaking is a major step toward a fully-integrated transit network and I’m excited to celebrate the ribbon cutting in 2028.”
“Renton is a key destination within the Puget Sound, offering connections to the eastside, Seattle, and the South Sound,” said Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone. “The STRIDE BRT project is the primary transportation opportunity for our residents and businesses, and a crucial way to ensure we have the capacity to support the 10-12,000 new jobs projects like the new Seattle Children’s Hospital campus and new Alaska Airlines training facility are bringing to Renton. The relocation of the transit center gives us an incredible opportunity to invite redevelopment of this area into a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood here in the Rainier/Grady corridor.”
“The Renton Transit Center and Stride S1 represent an investment in access, opportunity, and regional equity — strengthening connections between South King County, the Eastside, and the broader region,” said King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Steffanie Fain. “Our riders count on these connections to reach work, school, and family, and this project reflects a shared commitment — across Sound Transit, local leaders, and labor partners — to deliver fast, reliable, and well-connected service where it matters most.”
“The Seattle-King County Building Trades are honored to partner with Sound Transit, the City of Renton and regional leaders and staff as we create economic opportunity for generations of working people and better connect communities. The Stride Renton Transit Center will create hundreds of family-wage jobs for skilled craftspeople and pathways out of poverty for women, people of color, veterans and others who are disadvantaged into construction careers,” said Monty Anderson, Executive Secretary of the Seattle Building & Construction Trades Council. “Through apprenticeships and strong training programs, we are working as a region to help build the next generation of construction workers, many from local communities here in Renton and South King County. Getting to this significant step on this important element of our regional transit system took vision and persistence – and it will build better lives. Let’s keep building!”
“Stride S1 will transform travel between Burien, Renton, and Bellevue, allowing passengers to speed by traffic on 405 and seamlessly connect to local bus routes, Link light rail and the future RapidRide I and Stride S2 lines,” said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine, “The new Renton Transit Center will not only be a hub for Stride but an asset for Renton and the entire Central Puget Sound.”