The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, also referred to as the Metro Bus Tunnel, is a 1.3 miles (2.1 km) public transittunnel that runs the length of downtownSeattle, from 9th Avenue and Pike Street to 5th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street. Approved by Metro Transit in 1983, construction began in 1987.[1] It was completed and service began in 1990, at a total cost of $455 million.[1]
The tunnel was closed on September 24, 2005 for modification to accommodate both buses and Sound Transit's Central Linklight rail trains on a shared alignment. Prior to closure, around two dozen bus routes ran through the tunnel. The buses were dual-powered, using electricity in the tunnel from an above wire connection and diesel on city streets. It reopened on Monday, September 24, 2007.[2] The two-year closure included retrofits for light rail as well as other operating system upgrades. Also, a stub tunnel, branching from the main tunnel, was constructed under Pine Street between 7th and Boren Avenues to allow light rail trains to stop and reverse direction and for future extension of Central Link.[3]
Due to the conversion to light rail, the dual-mode buses that are powered by the above electric connection can no longer operate in the tunnel. Those buses have already been replaced by Metro's current new fleet of hybrid buses. These buses pollute significantly less than standard diesel buses and require no connection to overhead wires.[4]
Since the floor of the tunnel was lowered for the light rail, there have been concerns that the bus mirrors are now at head height and may strike those who are waiting on the platform. To prevent this, the mirrors are equipped with flashing lights. As well, the speed of the buses has been lowered from 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).[5]
The tunnel is entirely within the Ride Free Area, so no fare is required on buses at any station during hours when the policy is in effect. Due to a different fare structure, it will be required on Link Light Rail trains when revenue service begins.
In timing with King County Metro's summer service change on May 30, 2009, the tunnel hours expanded in preparation for the opening of Central Link. The hours when buses run in the tunnel expanded to Monday through Saturday, 5:00 am to 1:00 am, and Sunday, 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight. From the summer service change until the opening of Link Light Rail, scheduled for July 18, 2009, light rail vehicles are tested in the tunnel in non-revenue service.
Route
The north portal is located near 9th Avenue and Olive Way, with dual entry/exit ramps onto the Interstate 5express lanes. From this point, the tunnel runs southwest-northeast under Pine Street, then turns left and runs northwest-southeast under 3rd Avenue for most of its length. The tunnel passes four feet below the Great Northern Tunnel.[6] The south portal of the tunnel is located near 4th Avenue and Royal Brougham Way, where buses have dual entry/exit onto the Interstate 90 express lanes, or the SoDo E-3 Busway. At the south portal, the light rail tracks split from the shared alignment onto their own right-of-way, which runs parallel to the SoDo Busway until just south of Lander Street.
Stations
The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel has five stations. They are, from north to south:[7]
Convention Place StationConvention Place Station, 9th Avenue and Pine Street
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