For years, one long-time Burien business advertised Burien as the “Center of the Known World.” Both residents and businesses agree that Burien’s hub location offers great connections to the region (and the world!). The central location means that jobs and entertainment are convenient, travel times are less, and a more relaxed pace prevails in the residential neighborhoods. Burien enjoys direct 15-minute access to Seattle by State Route 509 (Burien’s ‘private freeway’), which serves as the major entrance to Seattle’s commercial, industrial, and rail district. Burien’s central location means I-5, I-405, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Sound Transit Light Rail stations are all within 5 minutes from Burien’s downtown.
Central HubBeing a central hub doesn't simply mean that Burien is easily accessible to highways, a major airport, and rapid transit. It doesn't just mean that we're 15 minutes to Seattle or 30 minutes to Bellevue and Tacoma, even though, that's all true. Being a central hub also means that we are a place where people gather. A place where 100 languages, cultures, cuisines, and festivals converge. We are a community of hard workers and entrepreneurs whose businesses are amplified by a hyper-connectivity to our surrounding region and an affordability that gives us room for life.
The Port ConnectionA major economic engine in the Puget Sound region, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the ninth busiest airport in the United States and continues to grow at a record pace. More than 45 million passengers traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2016, and more than 65 million are expected annually by 2035. The airport ranks in the top 20 in air cargo volume nationally and is responsible for more than 100,000 direct jobs, including 32,000 jobs on-site. Just five minutes from neighboring SEA, airport-related businesses and employees have found Burien an ideal place to locate.
Transit and Light Rail Accessible (Now!)While many Puget Sound communities will wait 25 years for easy access to light rail, Burien has light rail just minutes away right now. Downtown Burien’s transit center has abundant parking and is just a 5 minute bus ride to light rail in Tukwila.
Future Transportation InvestmentsMore than $1 billion in investments coming to State Route 509 from the Washington Department of Transportation in the next decade will support economic development and job growth as it connects manufacturing centers around the Puget Sound with our major Ports and urban areas. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is the fourth-largest container gateway in North America, and the expansion of State Route 509 to Interstate 5 will expedite travel between the Alliance’s two members, the Port of Seattle, and the Port of Tacoma. Burien’s prime location on SR-509 between the two ports will give it greater visibility and economic opportunity on a regional stage.
Future investments by King County Metro and Sound Transit in Burien’s mass transportation infrastructure include two new Bus Rapid Transit lines from Burien to downtown Seattle (opening in 2020), and to the eastside, including Bellevue and Redmond. There is also a funded planning study of a Sound Transit Light Rail route from Burien, through West Seattle, to downtown Seattle.
The Soundside Alliance for Economic Development is a regional partnership of five cities (Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila), the Port of Seattle, the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, and Highline College. Alliance partners work together to promote economic development through programs dedicated to increasing job opportunities and incomes for Southwest King County residents, and stimulating high-quality business investment and real estate development in the Soundside area.
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“The location is our competitive advantage."
— John Naylor, Western Distribution Services
“Burien is relatively inexpensive compared to other areas around Seattle. Traffic is relatively better than Seattle, Renton and Tacoma as well. Plus, we’re only 10 minutes to Seattle and 5 minutes to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport."
— Dean Anderson, Owner of Burien Toyota
