Fall 2016

HOW IS THIS PROJECT FUNDED? In July 2014, the FTA approved the City of Seattle’s request to start advancing the project. SDOT submitted a Small Starts Application for the project in Fall 2015. In February 2016, the FTA announced President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, which proposes a $75M grant to fund the Center City Connector. This announcement signaled a major funding milestone for this keystone line of Seattle’s streetcar system. This fall, the City will release its finance plan to fund the remaining portion of the project; the finance plan will be finalized as part of the City’s 2017 budget.

STAY INVOLVED• Visit seattlestreetcar.org/centercity.htm• Sign up to receive project updates at seattlestreetcar.org/contact • Contact the project team at centercitystreetcar@seattle.gov or 206-615-1070

facebook.com/SeattleStreetcar

@seattledot

Other languages and accessible formats: This information can be provided in other languages, large print, Braille, in electronic text, or other accessible formats. Call (206) 615-1070.

Este documento describe el proyecto del tranvía Center City Connector. Está disponible en español. Para recibir una copia en español, por favor llame al (206) 615-1070.

Tài liệu này mô tả dự án Xe Điện Center City Connector. Tài liệu có sẵn bằng tiếng Việt. Để nhận được bản sao bằng tiếng Việt, xin vui lòng gọi số (206) 615-1070.

此文件詳細介紹了有關Center City Connector （市中心內線電車）有軌電車新系統的項目。此信息可提供繁體中文的 版本。如需繁體中文的版本，請致電 (206) 615 1070。

CENTER CITY CONNECTOR PROJECT

CURRENT SCHEDULE*2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Locally Preferred AlternativeRoute along 1st Ave and Stewart Street was approved by Seattle City Council

Vehicle Testing and Startup

Budget approval by city

Transit Master Plan Published

Project Planning and FundingMode selectionStreet alignment selectionConceptual designProject design outreach

PE & EnvironmentalPreliminary engineeringEnvironmental processUrban design

Enviromental Assessment publishedMay 9, 2016, finding of no significant impacts (FONSI), complete SEPA/NEPA

Final Design100% designBid documentsPermitting

Timing of construction and the start of the future streetcar service depends on several factors. SDOT is coordinating with other downtown infrastructure improvement projects, which may affect construction scheduling. Projects include extensive utility work along 1st Ave, the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the Seattle Waterfront project.

Small Starts Grant Agreement in Place

By the Numbers

total miles of streetcar line connecting Seattle’s densest neighborhoods

new streetcar stations

new streetcars, meaning more frequent service

neighborhoods along the line

total streetcar stations

of destinations

anticipated system-wide ridership in opening year

Submit Small Starts Grant

Rendering of future Center City Connector station at Westlake and 4th Ave

WHAT’S IN A NAME?The City of Seattle is building a modern streetcar system that will provide new mobility options, support economic growth and strengthen connections in Seattle’s densest neighborhoods. Seattle Streetcar is an easy to use transportation choice for a variety of trips, and serves tourist attractions, employment centers, and the places around Seattle where we live and play.

The Center City Connector Project is a bold endeavor to create new connections in downtown. This project will join the existing South Lake Union and the First Hill Streetcar lines, creating new north-south connections from Stewart Street in Westlake to Jackson Street in Pioneer Square. When complete, 5 miles and 23 stations of convenient streetcar service will be available to access hundreds of key destinations, including Pike Place Market, Colman Dock, Link light rail at Westlake, and the 3rd Ave transit corridor. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, making transit connections will be easier and more convenient with the Center City Connector.

57

5

2312

100s

20,000+

Construction

Utility relocations

* Schedule current as of Fall 2016, subject to change

South Lake Union Streetcar stop at Westlake and 7th Ave First Hill Streetcar on Broadway Ave

Project HighlightsProvide a convenient and easy-to-understand transit service that forms a cohesive link between the two existing streetcar lines, creating a 5 mile system

Provide frequent and reliable service with streetcars running up to every 5 minutes during peak hours between South Lake Union and Chinatown/ International District

Meet local transit demand for growing residential and employment densities in Center City and throughout Seattle

Increase connectivity to regional transit hubs, including Westlake, Colman Dock, and King Street intermodal hubs

Improve transit access to downtown social services and affordable housing

Create connections for people using bicycles and people walking through coordination with pedestrian and bicycle plans

Tackling Challenges: Parking & LoadingThe future 1st Ave prioritizes the movement of transit and pedestrians, which means less on-street parking. Approximately 197 parking spaces, currently available only in the late evening and early morning, will become short-term loading or be eliminated. After construction, those visiting downtown by car can visit DowntownSeattleParking.com to find information about the many commercial parking garages around town.

WHAT CHANGES ARE COMING?The Center City Connector will shift 1st Ave’s priority to people walking and taking transit. The streetcar will run in its own center lanes along 1st Ave from Stewart St to Jackson St. The streetcar will allow those arriving by bus, light rail, or ferry to easily get from one transit system to another, and to access much of the downtown area. The frequent and reliable service will enable local residents, area commuters, and short-term visitors to quickly move between neighborhood stops.

CENTER CITY CONNECTOR CONSTRUCTION SEGMENTS

ELLIOTT BAY

STADIUMS

PIONEER SQUARE

HISTORIC DISTRICTPIKE

MARKET

HISTORIC

DISTRICT

4

3 2

1

FIRST

HILL

LINE

SOUTH LAKE UNION LINE

1st Ave

2nd Ave

3rd Ave

Alaskan Way

Jam

es S

t

Yesl

er W

ay

Colu

mbi

a St

Cher

ry S

t

Mar

ion

St

Mad

ison

St

Spri

ng S

t

Sene

ca S

t

Univ

ersi

ty S

t

4th Ave

Unio

n St

Pike

St

Pine

St

Stewart St

Virginia St

2nd Ave

3rd Ave

4th Ave

5th Ave

1st Ave

Western Ave

Elliott A

ve

Lenora St

7th Ave

6th Ave

5th Ave

Western

Post Ave

99

S W

ashi

ngto

n St

S M

ain

St

S Ja

ckso

n St

S Ki

ng S

tS

Wel

ler S

t

Occidental Ave S1st Ave S

Alaskan Way Viaduct

2nd Ave

3rd Ave

4th Ave

1st Ave

AveWestern Ave

We anticipate that construction will be phased within four geographic segment work zones

seattlestreetcar.org

Rendering of future Center City Connector running on 1st at Pike

Left TurnsThe new streetcar will operate in dedicated lanes down the center of 1st Ave, providing riders a faster, more reliable trip. Vehicles will have access to one lane in each direction on 1st Ave, with the remaining lanes being used for streetcar platforms, loading zones, and left turns. When the Center City Connector launches, drivers will be able to turn left from 1st Ave onto University St, Spring St, and Jackson St in the southbound direction, and at Jackson St, Madison St, and Pike St in the northbound direction.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?The City included the City Center Connector project in its 2012 Transit Master Plan to improve north-south travel through downtown. The City evaluated different alignments for the project, and decided 1st Ave was the best way to connect to the South Lake Union and First Hill streetcar lines. In 2014, the Seattle City Council approved funding for project design, and the project was on its way. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) published an Environmental Assessment for the project in May 2016.

Rendering of future Center City Connector station at1st and Cherry-Columbia

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?The project team will review public comments, prepare responses, and plan to complete the environmental review process in early 2017. Utility relocations could start as early as mid-2017, depending on funding and coordination with other downtown projects. The project team anticipates finishing design in 2018. The City will build the project in segments, with construction expected to last approximately 24 to 30 months.

CENTER CITY CONNECTOR FUTURE TRAFFIC MOVEMENT *Subject to change

1st Ave

2nd Ave

Jam

es S

t

Cher

ry S

t

Colu

mbi

a St

Mar

ion

St

Mad

ison

St

Spri

ng S

t

Sene

ca S

t

Univ

ersi

ty S

t

Unio

n St

Pike

St

Pine

St

Western Ave

Alaskan Way

1st Ave

Stewart St

Virginia St

Lenora St

3RD & STEWART

Post Ave

99

I-5

S Main

St

S Was

hingto

n St

S Jac

kson

St

5TH & JACKSON

S Ki

ng S

t

Yesle

r Way

1ST & MADISON-SPRING1ST & PIKE-PINE

CENTER CITY CONNECTOR LEFT HAND TURNS ON FIRST AVENUE7th Ave

SOUTH LAKE UNION LINE

Oliv

e W

ay

3rd Ave

4th Ave

5th Ave

6th Ave

FIRS

T HIL

L LI

NE

Westlake Ave

LEGEND

City Connector streetcar line

Streetcar station

Vehicle traffic

Left and U-turns

No left turn

No U-turn

5N 5S 90

1ST & CHERRY-COLUMBIA PIONEER SQUARE

5S 90

Scale

500 feet

* Tranist only left turn

* Expected traffic movement as of Fall 2016, subject to change

Rendering of the future station at 1st and Madison-Spring