SDOT posted a response to this protest.

https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2025/08/28/route-8-updates-supporting-reliable-travel/

Basically, their justification for not listening to the community boils down to, "but it will slow down car traffic!"

They completely ignored the fact that reliable public transit and cycling/walking infrastructure are basically the only ways to reduce car traffic, by getting drivers out of their cars and into the far more efficient options.