News & Reviews News Wire Downtown Seattle light rail service disrupted by construction accident

Downtown Seattle light rail service disrupted by construction accident

By Trains Staff | April 28, 2023

| Last updated on February 5, 2024


Tunnel damage leads to two weeks of single-tracking, reduced frequencies

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Crowded underground light rail station in downtown Seattle.
The Pioneer Square station is one of those affected by service changes following a construction accident that has damaged the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. Sound Transit

SEATTLE — Light rail service in Seattle is facing a significant disruption for two weeks because of damage to the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel caused by construction at a station, Sound Transit has announced.

The service change began Thursday night as a result of damage Tuesday when a ground-level construction crew broke through the roof of the tunnel at the Westlake station.

Just one line of the normally double-track tunnel is operating between the Capitol Hill and Stadium stations, reducing service through the tunnel to one train in each direction every 30 minutes. Southbound passengers will now have to change trains at Capitol Hill; the northbound platforms will be closed at the Westlake, University Street, Pioneer Square, and International District stations.

Sound Transit said in a press release that the closure is necessary to investigate the damage caused by Tuesday’s construction accident. “While no one was injured at the time, subsequent examination of the damage showed that it was more significant than originally thought, necessitating the emergency service disruption for the safety of passengers,” the agency said.

More details on the service changes are available here, with additional information on how to navigate around the area offered here.

4 thoughts on “Downtown Seattle light rail service disrupted by construction accident

  1. “If it’s Friday, a construction crew must have breached the ceiling in the Westlake Station and Sound Transit LINK (light-rail) service will be disrupted for the next two weeks ……”

    Fun, fun, fun, happy Friday !

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