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Transit tunnel reopens for bus service Sept. 24
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). Like the rest of the Central Business District, all of the tunnel stations fall into Metro’s Free Ride Area. That means from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. any bus trip inside the tunnel is free. It makes it very popular with downtown workers, who can travel to and from their job more easily, plus zip quickly around town at lunch or during the day for meetings. Many other commuters also use a tunnel bus route to leave town when congestion on the surface is bad, and then connect with their regular route at a convenient transfer point outside the downtown core.
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;
• 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. Service notes • 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;
• A new yellow tactile strip has been installed next to each platform
curb to help keep customers a safe distance away from moving vehicles; |
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