Link Month of Reductions
August is the month ot Link maintenance. Service will be reduced for five weeks from August 12th to September 16th to replace sagging tracks over weak soil at Royal Brougham Way, to replace platform tiles at Othello and Rainier Beach, to inspect high-voltage power equipment, to build track ties for East Link near International District, to replace aging rails in the downtown tunnel, and probably other things. This was the best time they could find during the short dry season between major public events, although there will still be a couple ballgames during it. Service levels will be like this:
- Phase 1: August 12-13: The downtown tunnel is closed. A bus replacement operates between Capitol Hill and SODO Stations. Trains run every 15 minutes (instead of 10). The bus shuttle runs every 10 minutes.
- Phase 2 & 3: August 14-20: Like the April reduction was. Link is single-tracked between Westlake and Stadium (meaning both directions use the same platform). Trains run every
1520 minutes. All trains terminate at Pioneer Square, and all passengers transfer to the other platform to continue north or south. This time the transfer isn't timed, so you could be waiting a long or short time. Royal Brougham Way will be open for pedestrians and bicycles but not cars. - Phases 4 & 5: August 21-September 3: Othello and Rainier Beach stations are single-tracked. Trains run every 12 minutes.
Update 8/15/2023: Phase 2 & 3 frequency is now 20 minutes.
Details on phases 1-3 | Seattle Times coverage ($) | Announcement on phases 1-3 | Announcement on phases 4-5 | More details on phases 1-5 (click Link Light Rail" and read the whole section).
More below the fold.
This is at least the third time all trains have terminated at Pioneer Square. Pioneer Square Station was really not designed for forced transfers like this. You have to go up to the mezzanine, walk to the other side, and go down via the stair or elevator because there's no down escalator. Entire trainloads will be transferring at the same time in both directions.
The best way to cope with this for shorter trips is to avoid Pioneer Square Station, and avoid transferring to/from the shuttle bus. Sound Transit published a chart of alternative bus routes in April. For instance, buses travel between Westlake and International District every minute or two on 3rd Avenue. From Capitol Hill to International District, the streetcar can take you. From Capitol Hill to Beacon Hill, the 60 can. From the U-District to Rainier Valley, the 48 can. From the U-District to downtown, the 70 or 49 can. From downtown to Tukwila International Blvd, the 124 can take you. From north-central Seattle to downtown, the E or 62 can take you. For longer trips like U-District to the airport it may still be worth taking Link (normally 45 minutes) compared to the 70+124+A (87 minutes plus two unreliable transfers). But for shorter trips like Capitol Hill to Jackson Street an alternative might save some aggravation. It would also make room for others who really need Link, like visitors who don't know about the alternatives or are afraid of getting lost on buses.
While you're transferring at International District, you can contemplate that it will be worse in ST3 with ultra-deep stations and the North of CID station alternative. Then you'll have a much longer transfer walk if you're going from Rainier Valley to Capitol Hill, or from the airport to the Eastside. But that's not until 2038 at the earliest - fifteen years away - so no need to panic now. Just remember that alternative bus chart and the 48, 60, and future Stride 1.
The operational patterns above have changed multiple times so they may change again. Phase 3 was going to end August 19 but was extended a day. Royal Brougham was going to be closed to pedestrians but now it's not. So expect more changes, consider alternatives, and bring a book to read.