Work will begin in 2005 to retrofit the downtown Seattle transit tunnel to carry both Metro buses and Sound Transit light rail.
In about 18 months, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit will begin converting Metro's downtown Seattle transit tunnel to handle both buses and light rail. The conversion will require the tunnel to be closed during construction, with tunnel buses moving to downtown surface streets in the fall of 2005. Even though the closure is still off in the future, planning and prep work is now underway.
It will take approximately two years to retrofit the tunnel for joint operations. In addition to installing the actual rails for the Sound Transit's Link line, Metro will also be updating electrical and mechanical equipment inside the tunnel and improving the fire and safety systems.
Metro is working closely with Sound Transit, the city of Seattle, and other transit agencies to keep people, traffic, and transit moving through downtown during the project. You may start noticing changes in the next few months, as Metro installs new bus shelters and makes other changes above ground in downtown Seattle. There will also be utility work and construction on Pine Street, east of 7th Avenue, which is being coordinated by the city and Sound Transit. All other tunnel-related work will occur underground.
While the tunnel retrofit project is underway, the project partners will be working to keep impacts to a minimum. During the tunnel closure, Metro will continue to provide a level of bus service into downtown Seattle similar to what is currently operating. Because there will be more buses operating on some surface streets, there will be advance adjustments to downtown bus stops and transit flow.
The most significant changes will be on Third Avenue, where most of the routes now operating in the tunnel will be shifted. The Third Avenue changes will include a skip-stop pattern similar to the current bus operations on Second and Fourth avenues. Specific bus routes will use every other stop, instead of making each stop along Third Avenue. There will also be general-purpose traffic restrictions between Yesler Way and Stewart Street during peak-commute times.
In addition, some routes now operating on Second and Fourth avenues will shift to different bus stops before the tunnel closes, in order to balance bus and passenger volumes and avoid bottlenecks. By changing stop patterns, Metro can more easily assign routes with common destinations to the same areas for passenger convenience.
Most of these changes need to be in place well before the tunnel closes. Any revision affecting bus service will occur during Metro's regular service changes in the months of February, June and September.
“There is a great deal yet to be done before the tunnel closes,” says Doug Johnson, the transit planner responsible for the reorganization and relocation of service leading up to the tunnel closure. “The three partners will work together to inform passengers, employees, the public, businesses, and property owners in advance of key projects, adjustments in transit service, or other changes.”
When the retrofit is finished, King County will continue to own and operate the tunnel. Metro and Sound Transit buses will again run in the tunnel and Metro will operate the Sound Transit Link light rail service – much like it currently operates Sound Transit's Regional Express bus service inside King County.
"Joint bus and rail operation in the tunnel will certainly be unique,” said Victor Obeso, Metro's supervisor of service planning. “It presents us with an opportunity to maximize rider use of two distinct modes of public transportation, while providing coordinated services that are safe, efficient and reliable."
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The schedules of some transit routes will change when the University of Washington is not in session next week between March 22-26.
Most Metro routes serving the University District will have regular weekday schedules. However, the following routes have selected trips canceled: 65, 67, 133, 167, 197, 205, 271, 272, 277, 372 and Sound Transit 540. Passengers should check specific route timetables for changes. The information is also available on Metro Online.
For other information about bus service, call Metro Rider Information at (206) 553-3000, TTY users can call (206) 684-1739. Or, passengers can use the online Trip Planner. For the scheduled departure times of regular bus service at bus stops, call Bus Time (automated schedule information) at (206) 287-8463.
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Know the rules about political sign posting
If you've got a favorite candidate or issue in the 2004 elections, be sure to know what's right and what's not when it comes to displaying political signs on public property.
King County's sign regulations prohibit any signs, posters, bills or other advertising devices, including political campaign signs, on the county's right-of-way, public easements, public property or utility poles — with a few exceptions.
The King County Code (21A.20.120C, “Political Signs”) allows such signs when they have been have been specifically permitted for traffic management and safety purposes. These are real estate open house signs (the agent or owner must be on-site) and directional signs granted by special-use permit.
The county may remove and dispose of any other sign posted in the road right-of-way. Political campaign signs may be displayed on private property with the property owner's consent. But, there are rules about when they must be removed. All the rules are posted online.
King County regulates signs on county-owned property, easements and road right-of-way. For information about sign policies in an incorporated area, contact that city.
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Roadwork ahead
Here is a list of King County Department of Transportation projects that may disrupt traffic and travel this week:
South 277th Street, between Auburn and Kent - There will be no lane closures, but there will be traffic disruptions on South 277th Street between the West Valley Highway and 72nd Avenue South through October 2005.
Northeast 124th Street, north of Redmond -
Work continues through October 2004 on Northeast 124th Street between Willows Road and State Route 202.
124th Avenue NE, in Kingsgate - Private utility relocation is underway, and will be followed by street improvements along 124th Avenue Northeast between Northeast 132nd Street and Northeast 146th Place.
Edgewick Bridge, east of North Bend -
Prep work is underway to replace the Edgewick Bridge. During the month of March, a contractor will be driving piles and installing the superstructure of the temporary bridge and rails.
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DOT Dash