January 2010
In this issue:
-
Major Construction Activities Begin on University Link
-
I-5 Undercrossing Update
-
Capitol Hill Business Mitigation
-
Capitol Hill Station: Recapping the Construction Kick-off Meeting
-
Capitol Hill Art: Call to Artists
-
Capitol Hill Station: Transit Oriented Development Community Forum
-
What is University Link?
Major Construction Activities Begin on University Link
Construction is underway on University Link (U-Link), a 3.15-mile light rail extension that will connect downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.
The next major phase of construction - excavation and tunneling - has begun at both of the future U-Link light rail station sites.
Prep work at the Capitol Hill Station site began on Jan. 11, 2010 and includes:
- E. Denny Way between Broadway and 10th Avenue has been closed for up to six years to accommodate the excavation and tunneling activities for the underground station.
- Installing tree protection around the Chinese Scholar Tree in Cal Anderson Park.
- Removing several street trees along Denny Way.
- Installing the solid construction fence around the site.
- Relocating underground utilities on Denny Way and Seattle Department of Transportation installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Denny Way.
- "Jet grouting" the soil near Denny Way and John Street. Jet grouting involves injecting the soil with a cement-like substance to improve stability.
Prep work at the UW Station site includes:
Site preparation near Husky Stadium began on Jan. 4, 2010 and includes fencing off a portion of the southwest parking lot of Husky Stadium, clearing trees, grading the construction site, installing the foundations for the construction wall, and building the vehicle access roads and pedestrian paths around the construction site.
I-5 Undercrossing Update
In early 2011, the tunnel boring machine that will dig the light rail tunnels between Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle will start working south from Capitol Hill. However, before the machine reaches the Pine Street area in late 2011, Sound Transit must prepare the ground under I-5 for its arrival. In spring 2009, crews closed I-5 freeway ramps in order to install piles, tie-backs and sheet piles, and to begin excavating pits in the Olive Way and the Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramps.
The process is technically challenging and time consuming. In each of the four pits, (two on the Olive Way side and two on the Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp), crews will excavate 10 feet at a time, form and pour the concrete walls, and then repeat the process for the next 10 feet.
Each pit will be approximately 60 to 80 feet deep and 40 feet wide. When they have reached the bottom of the pits, crews will cut a window into existing pilings, reinforce the window, and then fill the pits with a concrete that allows the tunnel boring machine to pass through. This work is expected to last into the summer of 2010.
For more information:
Contact Erin Hunter at 206-370-5511 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org. You can also visit our I-5 Undercrossing info online.
Capitol Hill Business Mitigation
Sound Transit and the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a second year of technical assistance seminars to address the needs of retail businesses and restaurants as construction for the Capitol Hill light rail station gears up in 2010. A series of retailing, restaurant and social media seminars are scheduled for the Capitol Hill business community. Come and learn proven techniques to increase sales and profits from experienced experts. Four nationally recognized experts in food-service, retailing, and web and social media professionals have designed a series of exciting and energetic seminars.
Please plan on attending an open house/kick-off event to meet the instructors and listen to what they will be offering for their coursework.
Date: Monday, April 12, 2010
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway Avenue, 5th Floor Lobby
The seminar dates will be published in the very near future. Please watch your e-mail inbox and mailbox for the official invitation.
For more information:
Contact Jennifer Lemus at 206-398-5314 or jennifer.lemus@soundtransit.org.
Capitol Hill Station: Recapping the Construction Kick-off Meeting
In case you missed it, Sound Transit hosted a construction kick-off meeting for the Capitol Hill light rail station on Jan. 14, 2010. The meeting provided an overview of the Capitol Hill Station, the construction sequence and information about the Denny Way closure.
To view the presentation and more project information please visit the project web page or contact Rhonda Dixon at 206-370-5569 or rhonda.dixon@soundtransit.org
Capitol Hill Art: Call to Artists
Calling all artists. Sound Transit is looking to hire a lead artist to manage the Capitol Hill light rail station construction art wall project, which will be created by a variety of artists. The goal is to make the fence surrounding the large worksite in the Broadway neighborhood active and interesting with artwork throughout the multi-year construction project.
Artist Selection Schedule:
Deadline for Entry: Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 (Not a postmark deadline)
Selection Panel: Week of Feb. 15, 2010
Work begins: Late February 2010
For more information:
Contact Barbara Luecke at 206-398-5059 or barbara.luecke@soundtransit.org. You can also visit http://www.soundtransit.org/artopportunities.
Capitol Hill Station: Transit Oriented Development Community Forum
Ever wonder what it might look like around the Capitol Hill Link light rail station once construction is completed?
Join us for a discussion about transit oriented development issues at the station. This meeting will recap the series of community forums we have hosted, discuss the initial results and process moving forward.
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.)
Location: Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., Seattle, WA 98122
For more information:
Contact Michelle Ginder at 206-398-5328 or michelle.ginder@soundtransit.org You can also visit the project web page.
What is University Link?
University Link is the 3.15-mile extension of light rail from downtown Seattle to the University of Washington. U-Link includes twin-bore tunnels and two stations, one at Capitol Hill (Broadway and East John Street) and the other on the University of Washington campus at Husky Stadium. Local tax funding for U-Link was approved by voters and the project also received an $813 million Federal Transit Administration grant.
U-Link is projected to add 70,000 daily riders to the Link system, bringing total daily ridership to 114,000 in 2030. Construction of U-Link began in early 2009 and will continue over the next six years. Passenger service is scheduled to begin in 2016.
