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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel
Tunnel-related questions
Q. What is the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT)?
A. The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) is a 1.3-mile tunnel that runs primarily under Third Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Seattle. It has five stations: International District/Chinatown; Pioneer Square; University Street; Westlake; and Convention Place. The tunnel allows transit service to make a fast and reliable trip through downtown Seattle for both commuters and people traveling within the Central Business District.
Q. When will light rail begin operating in the tunnel?
A. Construction is well underway on a new 15.6-mile Link light rail line that is a critical piece in the region's transportation future. The line will open in 2009 in two stages.
Q. In 2009, where will the light rail line travel before and after it enters the tunnel?
A. The light rail line begins on the north at Westlake Station in the DSTT and travels south through SODO with stops near Safeco Field and Qwest Stadium. The line then heads east through a tunnel under Beacon Hill and then south through the Rainier Valley. The line crosses I-5 on an elevated structure and continues south to Sea-Tac Airport.
Q. Will the tunnel have to close again when Sound Transit extends the light rail line north to the University of Washington?
A. No. Sound Transit built the Pine Street Stub Tunnel while the downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel was closed. That will allow for the line to continue north without interruption to bus or rail service in the DSTT.
Q. Will I see trains in the DSTT before 2009?
A. Yes. Train testing began in January 2007 in the SODO area, south of downtown Seattle. Testing in other areas, including the DSTT, will occur as the construction work wraps up. Testing in the DSTT will likely occur during non-passenger operating hours, but it is possible you will see trains entering and exiting the DSTT at other times as well.
Q. Why do we need light rail downtown?
A. By 2024, there will be an additional 57,000 new jobs and 24,000 new households in the 10 neighborhoods surrounding and including downtown Seattle. Light rail will add new transportation capacity to densely populated neighborhoods, and will provide fast, reliable and easy access for people traveling to and from the city.
Q. Why won't there be a light rail stop at Convention Place Station?
A. The elevation of Convention Place Station is too high to provide a light rail station and tunnel under Interstate 5 heading towards Capitol Hill. The Pine Street Stub Tunnel was built under Pine Street to establish the route to travel east and under I-5 and then north as part of the University Link project.
Q. What other changes were made to the tunnel during the retrofit?
A. In addition to retrofitting the DSTT for joint bus and rail use, Sound Transit added features to assist visually impaired passengers traveling from the station entrances to the station platform. A "braid" was sandblasted in the existing marble the serves as a tactile path from the most accessible station entrance to the future ticket vending machines and then to the station platform. A new yellow textured strip of tiles was added to each station curb to help passengers identify the platform edge and stay a safe distance away from moving vehicles. Also, mirrors on the curb side of buses using the tunnel have been equipped with strobe lights to ensure that passengers see approaching buses.
Additionally, the trackbed at each station was lowered to provide a 14-inch curb height, which will eventually accommodate level access onto low-entry bus and rail vehicles. Bicyclists who load and off-load buses at the International District Station are reminded to be careful stepping off this higher curb.
Signage has been upgraded throughout the tunnel and at surface entrances. This includes new electronic variable-message signs at the tunnel stations that will provide real-time train arrival information.
Q. Did you add restrooms in the tunnel?
A. No. The tunnel and stations do not have public restrooms.
Q. What is the best way for Sounder passengers to transfer from trains to buses?
A. Sounder passengers are able to transfer from trains to tunnel buses by coming up from the south end of the train platform at Weller Street, crossing Fourth Avenue and walking through the plaza to the International District/Chinatown Tunnel Station.
Passengers connecting with buses on surface streets can exit King Street Station from the north end of the train platform at South Jackson Street and board buses to Third Avenue at the adjacent pedestrian island bus stop on the west side of Fourth Avenue South, or cross Fourth to board Third Avenue trolley buses at the stop on the north side of Jackson Street. Bus riders who want to travel to Fourth Avenue destinations can board buses northbound on Fourth Avenue South just south of Jackson Street on the west side of Union Station.
Q. Is the mezzanine level at Westlake Station open when the tunnel is closed?
A. The mezzanine level is open on weekends during the hours that the adjacent major retail stores are open. On weekends, the mezzanine is open approximately from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Extended hours may be in effect during the holiday shopping season.
Q. Are only hybrid buses be used in the tunnel?
A. Yes.
Q. What happens if there is an emergency in the tunnel?
A. If there is an emergency, which requires exiting the tunnel, use the stairways located in each station. Do not use the elevators or escalators, because they will be shut down in an emergency. New emergency access telephones have been installed throughout the tunnel and stations.
Q. Why isn't the tunnel be open for bus service on nights and weekends?
A. The tunnel is closed after 7:00 p.m. weekdays and all day Saturday, Sunday and holidays in order to prepare and train for rail startup in 2009. This is also an opportunity to conduct tests and perform routine maintenance.
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Tunnel project information
The project partners have created a one-stop Website where you can find all related information - from construction updates to online trip planning. Visit the project Web site [external link].
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