CEO Corner
Our job is building a mass transit system that connects you with the Puget Sound region. As Sound Transit's CEO, I can assure you that everyone here - including our Board of Directors, staff and consultants - is committed to bringing you safe and reliable service.
Joni Earl, Sound Transit Chief Executive Officer
CEO Report for May 18, 2012
Brenda breakthrough
I told you a couple weeks ago that our final University Link light rail tunnel boring machine, nicknamed Brenda, was nearly finished digging the second tunnel between the Capitol Hill Station and the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel.
Well, Brenda has finished up that nearly one-mile trip and that means all U-Link tunnel mining is now complete. Twin tunnels now run 3.1 miles between downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. Earlier this week, we celebrated the Brenda completion with a media event where the boring machine's cutter head broke through to the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. Larry Phillips, King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember, was MC for the event.
Overall, the University Link project is a little more than halfway complete and scheduled to open in 2016. Between now and then contractors will continue mining and construction work on 21 cross passages connecting the twin bore tunnels, station construction at both UW and Capitol Hill stations, and the installation of rail, signals, communications and power systems. The team will also commission and test all building management, fire and life/safety and operations systems prior to passenger service starting up.
Downtown Seattle Ride Free Area Update
On Sept. 29, Metro and the City of Seattle are scheduled to eliminate the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area (RFA). Following Sound Transit policy, our ST Express bus operations have also honored the existing RFA. With its elimination, however, something will need to change.
In anticipation of that, we're holding a public hearing next Thursday to hear public comment on a proposal to implement fares on bus transit in downtown Seattle. The hearing is Thursday, Sept. 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ruth Fisher Boardroom at Union Station.
I expect that in coming months you'll hear much more about elimination of the RFA and conversion to a pay-on-entry system.
Mobility Day
Look for our booth at the Seattle Center on Saturday where we'll be part of a mobility fair featuring the past and future of transportation. The mobility day is part of Seattle Center's World's Fair anniversary, which is called the "Next 50." The mobility fair will include information and displays on how Seattle's transportation network is expected to change over the next 50 years. We'll be part of it.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the "Next 50 Pavilion" adjacent to the Monorail. The day's events range from tours of the Monorail to an electric vehicle showcase.
See a full list of activities on the Seattle Department of Transporation's website.
Celia Kupersmith to retire
It was with great reluctance earlier this week that I accepted the resignation letter from our Deputy CEO Celia Kupersmith. Celia is retiring in August to be closer to her family, which includes a young grandson.
Celia joined us in September 2010, and while her tenure here hasn't been long, she's definitely made a difference at Sound Transit. She brought in-depth executive level experience from her two previous CEO positions, improved our budget process and systems and led this agency with a strong and steady hand during my unexpected medical leave of absence last year.
I sincerely thank Celia for all she has done and brought to Sound Transit and wish her the best in this next adventure. The agency's better because of her time here.
Safety campaign
Safety is an around-the-clock priority for us, not just on our trains and buses and at our stations but also where we work. That's why our Sound Transit safety team recently launched an agency-wide safety campaign.
Called "Do one Thing" for your safety, the campaign offers programs each month to make sure employees are safe at work and at home. This month, for example, we're highlighting bicycling and driving safety. Next month is National Safety Month and we'll be offering information on ways to be safe in the office, information on a safety walk-through at home and also advice on making sure chemicals are stored safely at home.
