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Open house on Downtown Seattle light rail construction

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An open house on Wednesday, Jan. 26 will provide members of the Downtown Seattle community with important information related to the construction of Central Link light rail.        

Downtown Seattle Light Rail Open House
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26
Rainier Square Third-Level Atrium, 1333 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 

Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, King County Metro Transit and Community Transit are working together to keep Downtown Seattle moving while construction crews work to bring light rail service to downtown. Representatives of the agencies and light rail construction contractor Balfour Beatty will be on hand at the open house to discuss:

  • Information on Central Link light rail construction, including preparations for the temporary closure of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) in September 2005. The tunnel will be closed for up to two years while it undergoes retrofit for use by both light rail trains and buses.
  • Work that is now underway to build a short extension to the existing DSTT, known as the Pine Street stub tunnel.
  • Steps to implement a $16 million package of downtown projects to mitigate light rail construction. During the DSTT closure, buses that currently use the tunnel will travel on downtown surface streets. Mitigation steps include dedicating Third Avenue as a transit-only thoroughfare during peak commute hours.
  • The Urban Mobility Group will provide information on making the most of downtown commute options. The group was recently launched by the Downtown Seattle Association in partnership with King County Metro and the City of Seattle to create the first one-stop resource for downtown employers, building managers and commuters. 
  • Information on transit service modifications.

Information on all of these topics is also available at www.seattletunnel.org.

Central Link light rail will dramatically improve transportation options in Downtown Seattle and increase the carrying capacity of the DSTT. The DSTT will re-open to buses by September 2007. Joint use by both buses and trains will begin when Central Link opens in 2009.


Partner Agency Contacts:
City of Seattle:
Dawn Schellenberg, (206) 684-5189
King County Metro: Linda Thielke, (206) 684-1414
Community Transit: Martin Munguia, (425) 348-2348

 


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