Week of Sep. 17, 2007

Transit tunnel reopens for bus service Sept. 24

Metro bus drivers have been busy training for the Sept. 24th tunnel reopening.

Closed since September 2005, the tunnel has undergone a rigorous retrofit by Sound Transit – not only to upgrade the 17-year-old facility but also to prepare it to carry both buses and light rail cars just two years from now.

In the 1980s, the tunnel was conceived by Metro as a way to de-congest the city’s core and move bus riders more quickly through downtown. Many naysayers were skeptical, but once the tunnel opened on Sept. 15, 1990 people saw for themselves what a great way it was to keep downtown moving.

The tunnel is 1.3 miles long, and starts on the sound end in the International District/Chinatown underneath Fifth Avenue South and South Jackson Street (see map). For much of its length it travels below Third Avenue, but takes a jog to the east near Pine Street to end up at Ninth Avenue and Pine. Along the way, there are five tunnel stations: International District (IDS); Pioneer Square; University Street; Westlake; and Convention Place (CPS).

All buses still serve each of the five tunnel stations.

After the two-year closure, everyone is curious to use the tunnel again. Many things are still the same. The stations are still large and easy to access from the surface with multiple entrances. The celebrated tunnel artwork is still there, with a different theme for each station. And, all buses still stop at every station.

In addition to laying the foundation for light rail service to begin in the tunnel in 2009, much of the most important retrofit work was behind the scenes. Here’s an overview of what you should know about the retrofitted tunnel:

System changes

• A state-of-the-art communications and signaling system;
• Fresh paint and lighting improvements at each station;
• Upgraded signage and new electronic variable-message signs at stations entrances and platforms;
• A new public address system at each station;
• New rails fitted with a “rubber boot” to accommodate light rail service starting in 2009;

• Lowered station roadbeds to ease passenger entry and exit from new low-floor rail cars and buses;
• A “braid” sandblasted into the floor that creates a tactile pathway for visually impaired passengers; and
• New station exhaust fan units that meet National Fire Protection Association standards.

There is new signage throughout the tunnel.

• Starting Monday, Sept. 24, the tunnel will be served by Metro bus routes 41, 71, 72, 73, 74 Express, 101, 106, 150, 174, 194, 212, 217 (mornings only), 225, 229, 255, 256, 301, and Sound Transit Express 550;
• Not all routes that were in the tunnel in 2005 will return. Light rail testing will begin later this year, so capacity needed to be reserved now for both buses and light rail;
• The tunnel will be the busiest and have the most service during the morning and afternoon commutes, and Metro has increased mid-day frequency;
• The tunnel will be open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be closed nights, weekends, and holidays. Check timetables for boarding locations for the routes above when the tunnel is closed; and
• Buses will be loading at the same location in each tunnel station. There will be curb-level boarding for all customers, including those in wheelchairs and with mobility devices. Board through either the front or back doors of the bus.

Safety features

• A new yellow tactile strip has been installed next to each platform curb to help keep customers a safe distance away from moving vehicles;
• Mirrors on the curb side of buses using the tunnel have been equipped with strobe lights to ensure that passengers see approaching buses;
• There are more security cameras and security patrols;
• New push-to-talk emergency phones have been installed;
• Bikes can only be loaded and unloaded in the tunnel at the International District and Convention Place stations;
• Bicyclists should use care when loading and unloading their bikes at the International District Station, because there is a 14-inch difference between the platform curb and the roadbed where they access the bike rack on the front of the bus; and
• Remember, never walk across the tunnel roadway – always use the pedestrian overpasses and walkways.

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