[nfbwatlk] Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel Reopening

Wed Sep 5 02:46:37 CDT 2007

Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel Reopening

Posted Monday, July 23, 2007

The newly retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) reopens on time for weekday bus service on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

list of 7 items
. Introduction 
. General information about tunnel operation 
. Bus routes that will operate in the tunnel 
. Bus service revisions on downtown surface streets 
. The Transportation Connection 
. The Westlake Customer Stop 
. Links to additional information 
list end

Introduction

The newly retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel reopens on time for weekday bus service on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007. Sound Transit light rail trains
will join buses in the tunnel when the rail line begins operation between Downtown Seattle and the airport in 2009. The 1.3-mile tunnel was closed for
two years while Sound Transit retrofitted it for joint use by buses and light rail, and updated many of the tunnel operating systems. Prior to closure,
Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Community Transit and the City of Seattle invested $16 million in street and transit improvements. Many of the
changes were so successful at keeping Downtown Seattle moving, they will remain in place when the tunnel reopens. In conjunction with the September reopening,
Metro Transit will also reorganize some bus routes on surface streets to improve transit and traffic flow in downtown Seattle. Visit 
www.seattletunnel.org/ 
[external link] for more information about the tunnel project.

Table of Contents

General information about tunnel operation
list of 5 items
. The tunnel will be open on weekdays from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 
. The tunnel is part of downtown Seattle's Ride Free Area. Bus riders do not pay a fare when boarding tunnel buses between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM. If the bus
leaves the Ride Free Area, the fare is due when exiting the bus. Fare payment is required when boarding all downtown buses prior to 6:00 AM and after 7:00
PM. 
. Safety in the tunnel is Metro's first priority. 
list of 5 items nesting level 1
. Wait for buses behind the yellow line at the curb. 
. Never cross the tunnel roadway at the platform level. 
. Never chase a bus or try to board or stop a moving bus. 
. Watch your step when boarding and exiting your bus in the tunnel. The distance between the curb and the bus may be wider at tunnel stops. 
. Visit Metro's 
Driven by safety
 page for general information about safety while using the Metro Transit system, and watch this site for tunnel safety updates. 
list end nesting level 1
. Bicycles may be loaded or unloaded in the tunnel only at Convention Place Station on the north end and International District/Chinatown Station on the
south end. Bicycles are accommodated on the outside bike racks of buses and in tunnel station elevators only. They are not allowed inside buses or on escalators.
Bicyclists should also be aware that at the International District/Chinatown Station there is a 14-inch difference from the platform to the roadbed where
they will be loading and unloading their bikes. The roadway surface is uneven next to the curb. 
. Watch this site for updates. 
list end

Table of Contents

Bus routes that will operate in the tunnel

When the tunnel is open

When the tunnel reopens on Monday, Sept. 24, the following buses will serve all five tunnel stations on weekdays from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM:

Routes: 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Express, 101, 106, 150, 174, 194, 212, 217 mornings only*, 225, 229, 255, 256, 301 and Sound Transit Regional Express 550. If
your bus route is not listed here it will not be operating in the tunnel starting September 24th.

Timetables will be available on buses on Sept. 13, and in Metro Online on Sept. 21. Using a date of Sept. 22 or later, you can plan a trip on these buses
with Metro's online 
Trip Planner
 starting Sept. 15.

* On weekdays Route 217 operates via 4th Avenue when arriving downtown during the afternoon.

When the tunnel is closed

On weekdays after 7:00 PM and before 5:00 AM, and on weekends and holidays or at other times when the tunnel is closed, tunnel routes operate along the
following downtown surface streets, serving stops that are designated with their route numbers.

Routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Ex, 101, 106, 150 & 301 - 3rd Avenue

Routes 174, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229 & ST 550 - Southbound on 2nd Avenue & northbound on 4th Avenue

Routes 255 & 256 - Northbound on 4th Avenue & southbound on 5th Avenue

Table of Contents

Bus service revisions on downtown surface streets

During the morning and afternoon commute periods, Third Avenue between Stewart Street and Yesler Way is a transit-priority corridor. General-purpose traffic
is allowed to travel on Third Avenue for just one block before making a right turn.

In order to take advantage of increased street capacity and other favorable conditions that will be available when the tunnel reopens, some bus routes will
operate on different streets than they do currently. If your bus route is not listed here or in the section above, it will not be changed.

The following bus service revisions will take effect in the downtown core area, starting Saturday, Sept. 22:

1st Avenue

Routes 5, 21 Express, 54, 55, 56 Express, 113, 120, 121 & 122 traveling northbound from the Alaskan Way Viaduct will use new routing via Seneca St to northbound
3rd Avenue.

Routes 5, 54 & 55 traveling toward Columbia Street or the Alaskan Way Viaduct will operate southbound on 3rd Avenue between Bell Street & Columbia Street.

2nd Avenue

Routes 2 Express, 11, 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward S Jackson Street or south end destinations
will use new routing and operate southbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 174, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229 & ST 550 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays, 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 2nd Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

3rd Avenue

Routes 2 Express, 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward S Jackson Street or south end destinations will
operate southbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 5, 54, 55 & 358 heading to S Jackson Street or West Seattle will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Bell Street.

Route 16 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue from Cedar Street.

Routes 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward Stewart Street or north end destinations will use new routing
and operate northbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Express, 101, 106, 150 & 301 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 3rd Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

Route 66 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Stewart Street.

4th Avenue

Routes 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward Stewart Street or north end destinations will use new routing
and operate northbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 174, 194, 212, 225, 229 & ST 550 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays, 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 4th Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

Route 217 to downtown Seattle will continue to operate northbound on 4th Avenue on weekday afternoons.

Routes 255 & 256 traveling to the east side will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 4th Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

5th Avenue

Routes 5, 54, 55 & 358 heading to S Jackson Street or West Seattle will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Bell Street.

Route 16 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue from Cedar street.

Route 66 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Stewart Street.

Routes 255 & 256 traveling southbound from the east side will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 5th Avenue when the tunnel is
closed.

Table of Contents

The Transportation Connection

When the tunnel reopens in September of 2007, the pass sales office will not be located at the Westlake Customer Stop on the mezzanine level of the Westlake
Tunnel Station.

Continue to purchase bus passes and tickets at the following downtown locations:

Near the University Street Tunnel Station at the

Transportation Connection
Rainier Square Retail Concourse
1301 5th Avenue
Enter on 4th Avenue between University St & Union St
Seattle, WA
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Metro's offices near the International District/Chinatown Tunnel Station at: King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Table of Contents

The Westlake Customer Stop

While pass and ticket sales will remain at the Transportation Connection or at Metro's King Street Center offices when the tunnel reopens, transit customers
will be able to obtain timetables and other information, as well as personalized assistance with planning transit trips, at the Westlake Customer Stop
on the mezzanine level of the Westlake Tunnel Station. Trip planning will be available during business hours on weekdays.

Table of Contents

Additional project information
list of 6 items
. Keep checking Metro Online for related information and updates. 
. Visit 
www.seattletunnel.org/ 
[external link] for more project information. 
. Visit 
City of Seattle tunnel closure information 
[external link] for traffic and parking information. 
. Visit the Metro's 
Tunnel Conversion page
 for information that will be in effect through the close of business on Friday, Sept. 21, 
. Visit 
Tools to Keep You Moving 
[external link] for more information on programs and products for employers and commuters during tunnel construction. 
. Look for Rider Alerts, bus posters and the 'Transportation Connection' store in Rainier Square. 
list end

Table of Contents

Home | 
Travel Options | 
Online Tools | 
Updates | 
Programs | 
Customer Services | 
About Metro | 
Site Map

© 1994-2007, Metro Transit.
Metro Transit is a division of the 
King County Department of Transportation

Updated: July 23, 2007

King County | 
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Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound
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-------------- next part --------------
Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel Reopening

Posted Monday, July 23, 2007

The newly retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) reopens on time for weekday bus service on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007.

list of 7 items
• Introduction
• General information about tunnel operation
• Bus routes that will operate in the tunnel
• Bus service revisions on downtown surface streets
• The Transportation Connection
• The Westlake Customer Stop
• Links to additional information
list end

Introduction

The newly retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel reopens on time for weekday bus service on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007. Sound Transit light rail trains
will join buses in the tunnel when the rail line begins operation between Downtown Seattle and the airport in 2009. The 1.3-mile tunnel was closed for
two years while Sound Transit retrofitted it for joint use by buses and light rail, and updated many of the tunnel operating systems. Prior to closure,
Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Community Transit and the City of Seattle invested $16 million in street and transit improvements. Many of the
changes were so successful at keeping Downtown Seattle moving, they will remain in place when the tunnel reopens. In conjunction with the September reopening,
Metro Transit will also reorganize some bus routes on surface streets to improve transit and traffic flow in downtown Seattle. Visit
http://www.seattletunnel.org/ www.seattletunnel.org/
[external link] for more information about the tunnel project.

Table of Contents

General information about tunnel operation
list of 5 items
• The tunnel will be open on weekdays from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• The tunnel is part of downtown Seattle's Ride Free Area. Bus riders do not pay a fare when boarding tunnel buses between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM. If the bus
leaves the Ride Free Area, the fare is due when exiting the bus. Fare payment is required when boarding all downtown buses prior to 6:00 AM and after 7:00
PM.
• Safety in the tunnel is Metro's first priority.
list of 5 items nesting level 1
• Wait for buses behind the yellow line at the curb.
• Never cross the tunnel roadway at the platform level.
• Never chase a bus or try to board or stop a moving bus.
• Watch your step when boarding and exiting your bus in the tunnel. The distance between the curb and the bus may be wider at tunnel stops.
• Visit Metro's
Driven by safety
 page for general information about safety while using the Metro Transit system, and watch this site for tunnel safety updates.
list end nesting level 1
• Bicycles may be loaded or unloaded in the tunnel only at Convention Place Station on the north end and International District/Chinatown Station on the
south end. Bicycles are accommodated on the outside bike racks of buses and in tunnel station elevators only. They are not allowed inside buses or on escalators.
Bicyclists should also be aware that at the International District/Chinatown Station there is a 14-inch difference from the platform to the roadbed where
they will be loading and unloading their bikes. The roadway surface is uneven next to the curb.
• Watch this site for updates.
list end

Table of Contents

Bus routes that will operate in the tunnel

When the tunnel is open

When the tunnel reopens on Monday, Sept. 24, the following buses will serve all five tunnel stations on weekdays from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM:

Routes: 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Express, 101, 106, 150, 174, 194, 212, 217 mornings only*, 225, 229, 255, 256, 301 and Sound Transit Regional Express 550. If
your bus route is not listed here it will not be operating in the tunnel starting September 24th.

Timetables will be available on buses on Sept. 13, and in Metro Online on Sept. 21. Using a date of Sept. 22 or later, you can plan a trip on these buses
with Metro's online
Trip Planner
 starting Sept. 15.

* On weekdays Route 217 operates via 4th Avenue when arriving downtown during the afternoon.

When the tunnel is closed

On weekdays after 7:00 PM and before 5:00 AM, and on weekends and holidays or at other times when the tunnel is closed, tunnel routes operate along the
following downtown surface streets, serving stops that are designated with their route numbers.

Routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Ex, 101, 106, 150 & 301 - 3rd Avenue

Routes 174, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229 & ST 550 - Southbound on 2nd Avenue & northbound on 4th Avenue

Routes 255 & 256 - Northbound on 4th Avenue & southbound on 5th Avenue

Table of Contents

Bus service revisions on downtown surface streets

During the morning and afternoon commute periods, Third Avenue between Stewart Street and Yesler Way is a transit-priority corridor. General-purpose traffic
is allowed to travel on Third Avenue for just one block before making a right turn.

In order to take advantage of increased street capacity and other favorable conditions that will be available when the tunnel reopens, some bus routes will
operate on different streets than they do currently. If your bus route is not listed here or in the section above, it will not be changed.

The following bus service revisions will take effect in the downtown core area, starting Saturday, Sept. 22:

1st Avenue

Routes 5, 21 Express, 54, 55, 56 Express, 113, 120, 121 & 122 traveling northbound from the Alaskan Way Viaduct will use new routing via Seneca St to northbound
3rd Avenue.

Routes 5, 54 & 55 traveling toward Columbia Street or the Alaskan Way Viaduct will operate southbound on 3rd Avenue between Bell Street & Columbia Street.

2nd Avenue

Routes 2 Express, 11, 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward S Jackson Street or south end destinations
will use new routing and operate southbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 174, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229 & ST 550 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays, 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 2nd Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

3rd Avenue

Routes 2 Express, 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward S Jackson Street or south end destinations will
operate southbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 5, 54, 55 & 358 heading to S Jackson Street or West Seattle will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Bell Street.

Route 16 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue from Cedar Street.

Routes 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward Stewart Street or north end destinations will use new routing
and operate northbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Express, 101, 106, 150 & 301 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 3rd Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

Route 66 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Stewart Street.

4th Avenue

Routes 17 Local & Express, 23, 35, 113, 116, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 heading toward Stewart Street or north end destinations will use new routing
and operate northbound on 3rd Avenue.

Routes 174, 194, 212, 225, 229 & ST 550 will operate in the tunnel on weekdays, 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 4th Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

Route 217 to downtown Seattle will continue to operate northbound on 4th Avenue on weekday afternoons.

Routes 255 & 256 traveling to the east side will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 4th Avenue when the tunnel is closed.

5th Avenue

Routes 5, 54, 55 & 358 heading to S Jackson Street or West Seattle will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Bell Street.

Route 16 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue from Cedar street.

Route 66 to the Ferry Terminal will operate new routing via southbound 3rd Avenue south of Stewart Street.

Routes 255 & 256 traveling southbound from the east side will operate in the tunnel on weekdays - 5:00 AM-7:00 PM, and on 5th Avenue when the tunnel is
closed.

Table of Contents

The Transportation Connection

When the tunnel reopens in September of 2007, the pass sales office will not be located at the Westlake Customer Stop on the mezzanine level of the Westlake
Tunnel Station.

Continue to purchase bus passes and tickets at the following downtown locations:

Near the University Street Tunnel Station at the

Transportation Connection
Rainier Square Retail Concourse
1301 5th Avenue
Enter on 4th Avenue between University St & Union St
Seattle, WA
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Metro's offices near the International District/Chinatown Tunnel Station at: King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Table of Contents

The Westlake Customer Stop

While pass and ticket sales will remain at the Transportation Connection or at Metro's King Street Center offices when the tunnel reopens, transit customers
will be able to obtain timetables and other information, as well as personalized assistance with planning transit trips, at the Westlake Customer Stop
on the mezzanine level of the Westlake Tunnel Station. Trip planning will be available during business hours on weekdays.

Table of Contents

Additional project information
list of 6 items
• Keep checking Metro Online for related information and updates.
• Visit
http://www.seattletunnel.org/ www.seattletunnel.org/
[external link] for more project information.
• Visit
City of Seattle tunnel closure information
[external link] for traffic and parking information.
• Visit the Metro's
Tunnel Conversion page
 for information that will be in effect through the close of business on Friday, Sept. 21,
• Visit
Tools to Keep You Moving
[external link] for more information on programs and products for employers and commuters during tunnel construction.
• Look for Rider Alerts, bus posters and the 'Transportation Connection' store in Rainier Square.
list end

Table of Contents

Home |
Travel Options |
Online Tools |
Updates |
Programs |
Customer Services |
About Metro |
Site Map

Updated: July 23, 2007

King County |
News |
Services |
Comments |
Search

Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound
by terms and conditions of the site.
Terms of Use |
Privacy Policy