Metro Bus Tunnel part #3

The Metro Bus Tunnel, more accurately referred to as the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, is a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) public transit tunnel that runs the length of downtown Seattle, from 9th Avenue and Pike Street to 5th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street. Approved by Metro Transit in 1983, construction began in 1987. It was completed and service began in 1990, at a total cost of $444 million.

The tunnel was closed on 2005-09-24 for modification to accommodate both buses and Sound Transit's Central Link Light Rail trains. 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, 2007-09-24. The two-year closure included retrofits for light rail as well as other operating system upgrades. 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 Those buses have already been replaced by Metro's current new fleet of hybrid buses.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.

The tunnel is entirely within the Ride Free Zone, so no fare is required at any station during hours when the policy is in effect.

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).




the end of hush mode and the end of the tunnel. no tubes at this end

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Metro
• Bus
• Tunnel
• transit
• seattle