| The first Central Link Light Rail trains are test-run in the tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line | Central Link, Metro 41, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77E, 101, 102, 106, 150, 212, 216, 217, 218, 255, 301, 316, STE 550 |
| Location | Downtown Seattle |
| System | King County Metro bus and Sound Transit Central Link light rail |
| Start | 9th Avenue and Pike Street |
| End | 5th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street |
| No. of stations | 5 |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | March 6, 1987[1] |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Rebuilt | September 24, 2007 |
| Owner | King County Metro Transit[2] |
| Operator | King County Metro, Sound Transit |
| Traffic | Bus, light rail |
| Technical | |
| Length | 1.3-mile (2.1 km) |
The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, also referred to as the Metro Bus Tunnel, is a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) public transit tunnel that runs the length of downtown Seattle, from 9th Avenue and Pike Street to 5th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street. Approved by Metro Transit in 1983,[3] construction began in 1987.[4] It was completed and service began in 1990, at a total cost of $455 million.[4] In May 2000, the King County Council transferred ownership to Sound Transit[5] but ownership was transferred back to King County Metro in 2002.[2]
The tunnel was closed on September 24, 2005 for modification to accommodate both buses and Sound Transit's Central Link light rail trains on a shared alignment. Prior to closure, around two dozen bus routes ran through the tunnel. The buses were dual-powered, using electricity in the tunnel from an above wire connection and diesel on city streets. It reopened on Monday, September 24, 2007.[6] The two-year closure included retrofits for light rail as well as other operating system upgrades. Also, a stub tunnel, branching from the main tunnel, was constructed under Pine Street between 7th and Boren Avenues to allow light rail trains to stop and reverse direction and for future extension of Central Link.[7]
Due to the conversion to light rail, the dual-mode buses that are powered by the above electric connection can no longer operate in the tunnel. Those buses have already been replaced by Metro's current new fleet of hybrid buses. While these buses produce significantly more emissions than electric trolley buses that use overhead wires, they produce fewer emissions than standard diesel buses, and require no connection to overhead wires.[8]
Since the floor of the tunnel was lowered for the light rail, there have been concerns that the bus mirrors are now at head height and may strike those who are waiting on the platform. To prevent this, the mirrors are equipped with flashing lights. As well, the buses' speed limit as they approach and leave stations has been lowered from 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).[9]
The tunnel is entirely within the Ride Free Area, so no fare is required on buses at any station during hours when the policy is in effect. Due to Sound Transit's different fare structure, fares are required on Central Link light rail trains.
Contents |
In addition to Central Link Light Rail, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel currently serves the following bus routes during tunnel operating hours: King County Metro 41 (Northgate, Lake City), 71 (U-District, Wedgwood), 72 (U-District, Lake City), 73 (U-District, Jackson Park), 74 Express (U-District, Sand Point), 76 (Green Lake P&R, Wedgwood), 77 (Maple Leaf, Jackson Park, North City), 101 (Renton), 102 (South Renton, Fairwood), 106 (Rainier Beach, Renton), 150 (Southcenter, Kent), 212 (Eastgate), 216 (Sammamish, Bear Creek P&R), 217 (Eastgate, N Issaquah), 218 (Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Highlands P&R), 255 (Kirkland, Brickyard P&R), 301 (Richmond Beach, Aurora Village), 316 (Green Lake P&R, NSCC, Meridian Park) and Sound Transit Express 550 (Bellevue).[10]
The tunnel is open for light rail and bus service Monday through Saturday, 5:00 am to 1:00 am, and Sunday, 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight. Buses running after tunnel operating hours are rerouted to nearby surface streets.
The north portal is located near 9th Avenue and Olive Way, with dual entry/exit ramps onto the Interstate 5 express lanes. From this point, the tunnel runs southwest-northeast under Pine Street, then turns left and runs northwest-southeast under 3rd Avenue for most of its length. The tunnel passes four feet below the Great Northern Tunnel.[11] The south portal of the tunnel is located near 4th Avenue and Royal Brougham Way, where buses have dual entry/exit onto the Interstate 90 express lanes, or the SoDo E-3 Busway. At the south portal, the light rail tracks split from the shared alignment onto their own right-of-way, which runs parallel to the SoDo Busway until just south of Lander Street.
The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel has five stations, listed below from north to south:[12]
| Station | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convention Place | 9th Avenue and Pine Street | Serves Washington State Convention Center, Paramount Theatre, Greyhound Lines terminal, Federal Courthouse. Transfer to surface bus or cross Interstate 5 to Capitol Hill. Bus routes from south of the tunnel have their terminus and layover here. This station is a future transit-oriented development site.[13] This station is served only by buses. |
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| Westlake | Pine Street between 3rd and 6th Avenues | Serves Westlake Center, Seattle Center Monorail, South Lake Union Streetcar, Nordstrom, Macy's, Pike Place Market. Transfer to surface buses toward Belltown, Queen Anne Hill, Magnolia, Fremont, Shoreline, Green Lake, and Redmond. Transit information and passes can be obtained from the Metro Customer Stop on the mezzanine level. This is the northern terminus of the Central Link light rail. At this point, the tunnel makes a left, and follows Third Avenue. |
|
| University Street | 3rd Avenue between Union and Seneca Streets | Serves Benaroya Hall, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Central Library, Main Post Office, Washington Mutual Tower. Transfer to surface buses toward First Hill | |
| Pioneer Square | 3rd Avenue between Cherry Street and Yesler Way | Serves Pioneer Square, King County Courthouse, King County and City of Seattle government offices, King County Jail, Washington State Ferries Colman Dock | |
| International District/Chinatown | 5th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street | Serves International District, King Street Station, Uwajimaya, Waterfront Streetcar, Metro and Sound Transit offices. Transfer to surface buses toward Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, Industrial District, SoDo, and the Eastside. Bus routes from north of the tunnel have their terminus and layover here. |
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