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Service changes and Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel closure start Sept. 24

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The third weekend of September means service changes for local and regional transit agencies and this September brings major changes for Sound Transit commuters. The most significant changes will be the closing of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) on September 24th and the addition of a fourth round-trip Sounder train between Seattle and Tacoma. Tunnel bus routes and stops will be relocated to downtown streets.

For detailed information, including bus route and stop locations, Sound Transit customers can pick up the September 2005 Transit Guide or go online at www.soundtransit.org. The Transit Guide is available on Sound Transit buses and trains or at Sound Transit's offices located in Seattle at Union Station, 401 S. Jackson Street.

Over the next two years, the DSTT will be retrofitted to allow for the operation of Link light rail, which goes into service in 2009. The tunnel re-opens for buses in 2007.

A special website, www.seattletunnel.org, provides information about the steps by Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Community Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation to keep Downtown Seattle moving during the tunnel retrofit and beyond.

Service changes include:

The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel closes Sept. 24

 

  • Some routing and bus stops in downtown have changed. See the bus stop list in the newly published Transit Guide or at the Sound Transit Web site for details on routes 510, 511, 513, 522, 545, 550, 554, 590, 591, 592, 594 and 595.

Sounder Commuter rail

 

  •  A fourth Sounder train between Tacoma and Seattle begins service Sept. 26, 2005.
  •  Seahawk service started September 18 with two trains from Tacoma to Seattle and added service (two trains) from Everett to Seattle. Check Sound Transit's Web site for schedule information.

 

 Other ST Express service changes

 

  • Routes 510, 511 and 513 Everett/Ash Way - Seattle Express - Southbound routing changes from 2nd Ave to 5th Ave in downtown Seattle.
  • Route 522 Woodinville - Seattle Express - Downtown Seattle stops change, plus two new stops are added on westbound SR 522 at 132nd Ave NW, and on eastbound SR 522 ramp at 132nd Ave NE.
  • Routes 530, 532 and 535 Everett/Lynnwood - Seattle Express - Bus bay locations at Bellevue Transit Center are changed. Buses now board at Bay 4 and drop off at Bay nine.
  • Route 545 Redmond - Seattle Express - Peak hour service frequency is improved. Before 10:30 a.m. eastbound trips serve a new stop on Bellevue Ave at Olive St. The stop at Airport and Dearborn is closed.
  • Route 550 Bellevue - Seattle Express - Route operates on 4th Ave northbound and 2nd Ave southbound. Route travels on 5th Ave in both directions between I-90 and S. Washington St. A new stop on 5th at S Jackson St serves as first/last stop when entering/leaving downtown Seattle.
  • Route 554 Issaquah - Seattle Express - Route travels on 5th Ave in both directions between Airport Way S and S Washington St. A new stop at 5th and S Jackson St serves as first/last stop when entering/leaving downtown Seattle.
  • Routes 555/556 Issaquah - Northgate Express - New route 556 will replace morning westbound trips and afternoon eastbound trips on Route 555 and will now serve the
    U District.
  • Route 560 Bellevue - Sea-Tac/West Seattle Express - Routing is revised to serve the Wilburton Park-and-Ride, SE 8th St and 114th St SE; stops on 112th St SE at SE 8th and Main are eliminated. The bus bay location at Bellevue Transit Center has changed to Bay six.
  •  Routes 564/565 Overlake - Auburn/Federal Way Express - Routing is extended on most 564 and all 565 trips to the Overlake Transit Center.
  • Route 582 Bonney Lake - Tacoma Express - Two evening weekend trips are discontinued due to low ridership.
  • Route 585 Lakewood - Auburn Express - One morning and two evening weekend trips are discontinued due to low ridership.
  • Route 586 U District Express - Mid-day service reinstated.
  • Route 590, 591, 592, 594 and 595 Lakewood/Gig Harbor/Tacoma - Seattle Express - Stops in the north of downtown Seattle are changed. The stop at Airport and Dearborn is closed.

 


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