How the viaduct closure will affect light rail, Sounder, and freight trains
Jan 8, 2019, 6:32 AM
Sound Transit has its choices for the West Seattle-Ballard light rail link narrowed down to four projects. (Lee LeFever)
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure just three days away, KIRO Radio listeners are hitting us up on their commutes about what they can do to get around. Today, I’m talking light rail and Sounder service as options.
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Listener Vicki texted me last week asking if Sound Transit was going to add extra trains or extra train cars to help move more people during the closure. Another listener, Julianne, asked me if freight train schedules were going to change. I’ll have that answer shortly.
But first, to Sound Transit, and what you can expect during the closure.
Agency spokesperson Kimberly Reason told me there aren’t any plans to add service during the closure. Light rail trains will continue to run every six minutes during the peak hours and every 10 minutes the rest of the day, but Sound Transit is maxing out their capacity.
“We’re rolling-out as many three-car trains as we can, and we’re also keeping an extra train, which we call in the business a ‘gap train,’ ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice when needed anywhere in the system,” Reason said.
Why won’t Sound Transit add any cars? Because it doesn’t have any. All the new light rail train cars that have been ordered won’t be delivered until later this year.
If you’re a regular rider, expect a lot of company.
“Give yourself more time,” Reason said, “whether it’s by bus or train, because even if it’s by train it’s possible that the train might be full by the time it gets to your station.”
South end drivers, I recommend that you drive in and try to catch light rail at Angle Lake or Tukwila, but a listener tried that on Monday and wasn’t happy. The Angle Lake lot was full. If you plan to try this, you’re going to need to get there early, maybe before 7 a.m.
If you’re thinking about trying the Sounder during the closure, Sound Transit has a ridership guide that shows, by train, which runs usually have space. Also be aware, that even now, some trains are close to capacity during the peak hours.
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If you’re alternate plans include trying light rail or Sounder, don’t wait until next Monday to try it — be sure to research how to pay and use the system. Reason said the agency will try to be as flexible and responsive as possible.
“Our operations team will be monitoring train capacity and conditions closely throughout the entire closure, and we’ll determine service levels as necessary.”
As for freight trains moving their schedules to help out? Good luck with that one. Listener Julianne said she’s often stuck on Spokane Street waiting for freight trains, and that’s not going to change.
I asked BNSF spokesperson Gus Melonas about the closure, and this is the statement he sent me: “BNSF will continue to meet our timeline requirements for Amtrak and Sound Transit movements. We must also continue to serve our freight customers 24/7. However, we are aware of the viaduct closure/conversion and will attempt to not block crossings for extended time periods.”
