Seattle transit nerds, behold! Sound Transit has put out a video showing a Link Light Rail train traveling through the the new underground tunnel connecting Capitol Hill to the University of Washington. It’s three minutes long, soundless, and entirely repetitive. But you know what? It’s still pretty darn cool!
Sound Transit says that their contractors have completed work to install power systems and signaling along the University Link extension, which now connects up to the mainline. With this major work done, all that remains is completion of Capitol Hill Station, testing, and minor project elements. The 3.1-mile extension will open in early 2016 ahead of schedule and substantially under budget.
Sound Transit also shared some other details regarding final testing and service expansion:
Over the next months contractors will remove the temporary wall and doors between the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) and the University Link tunnels and install the last 600′ of power and communication lines in that section.
During the final phases of testing beginning this fall, all trains that operate during normal service hours will continue on to Capitol Hill and UW Station before returning south. All northbound passengers will still have to deboard at Westlake Station and the first station southbound will still be Westlake until the extension opens in early 2016.
This final phase, also called “pre-revenue service testing,” is necessary to familiarize operators with the new stations and ensure all systems are performing well.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.