What can I expect during the temporary closure of the tunnel?

What can I expect during the temporary closure of the tunnel?

In order to retrofit and upgrade the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel for use by both buses and light rail, it closed for up to two years on September 24, 2005.

• All tunnel entrances are closed while the tunnel is retrofitted.
• During the closure, buses that normally use the tunnel are relocated to several different downtown surface streets, including Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth avenues, with Third Avenue being a transit-priority corridor during peak commute hours (6-9a.m. and 3-6:30p.m.)
• Metro and Sound Transit have changed service. Bus routes that used the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel moved to the following downtown surface streets on Sept. 24:
  • Third Avenue both northbound and southbound - Routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 101, 106, 150 and 301;
  • Northbound Fourth Avenue and southbound Second Avenue - Routes 177, 190, 194, 196, 212, 225, 229, and 550;
  • Northbound Fourth Avenue and southbound Fifth Avenue - Routes 255, 256, and 266;
  • Northbound Third Avenue and southbound Second Avenue -- Routes 306 and 312.
    
• Many Downtown bus stops have been upgraded with new shelters, benches and better lighting on surface streets to accommodate the increased number of transit passengers.
• The Metro customer service office has been moved to Rainier Square in Downtown Seattle. It can be entered from the Fourth Avenue side of Rainier Square, between University and Union streets.

Closing the Tunnel

Moving Buses Through Downtown

While the tunnel is closed, tunnel buses have moved to surface streets. Below you will find a comprehensive list of links and information aimed at helping you during tunnel closure.

Where does my bus stop?

King County Metro Transit, http://transit.metrokc.gov or call (206) 553-3000

Sound Transit, http://www.soundtransit.org/riding/fac/stexpress/ or call (888)889-6368.

Community Transit, http://www.commtrans.org or call (425) 353-RIDE or (800) 562-1375.

RideShare Information - Provides you an easy way to find others who are interested in sharing their commute in a carpool or vanpool in the Puget Sound area.

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Converting the Tunnel

Light rail is coming to Downtown Seattle! Beginning in 2009, light rail will provide an alternative for traveling in and out of downtown Seattle.

In order to prepare the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel for use by both trains and buses, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel must be closed and retrofitted.

During the two years of tunnel closure that began in September 2005:

• Buses that run in the tunnel shifted to surface streets
• The existing rails are being replaced
• The electrical and mechanical systems are being upgraded, and improvements will be made to the fire and safety systems
• A state-of-the-art communications system is being installed
• Closed circuit television is being upgraded
• A new integrated signaling system is being installed for buses and trains, and
• The trackbed will be lowered at stations to allow for smooth boarding onto low-floor trains

Third Avenue Restrictions - Third Avenue has become a transit-priority street, and as a result some new restrictions are in place for Third Avenue from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m. Third Avenue is a transit-only corridor, with limited use by other vehicles. This is to ensure that buses can move as efficiently and quickly as possible during the morning and afternoon peak hours. During those periods, other vehicles have limited circulation and business access.

Safety Information - Additional Seattle Police Department officers have been assigned to control traffic and pedestrians at key Downtown intersections. Additionally, the police and security currently assigned to the tunnel have been moved up onto the surface during the temporary tunnel closure.

Don't Block the Box! - As part of Mayor Greg Nickels’ initiative to get “Seattle Moving”, the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Department of Transportation have undertaken a ‘Don’t Block the Box Campaign’, which strives to keep intersections clear of both vehicles and pedestrians, thus allowing a free flow of traffic during rush hour. This is being enforced by the additional police resources assigned to Downtown during the tunnel closure.

Keeping Downtown Clean - The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel cleaning staff has moved up to the surface to provide additional cleaning resources to bus zones during the tunnel closure.

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New Section of the Tunnel

Pine Street Stub Tunnel

To prepare for light rail, Sound Transit is building a short extension to the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel under Pine Street near the Paramount Theatre to allow trains running in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel to stop and reverse direction.

Construction began in 2004 and will continue through November 2006. During that time, Pine Street between Seventh and Boren avenues will be reduced to two westbound lanes during the a.m. and p.m. peak periods, and will be reduced as needed to one westbound lane at all other times.

Sound Transit has prepared a web page with more details on the Pine Street Stub Tunnel.

Would you like to receive Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel's project updates? E-mail Brooke Belman , Sound Transit Community Outreach Specialist.

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