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Update on South Lake Union Streetcar Transit Improvements

Gordon Werner - December 30, 2015
Rider Alert

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and King County Metro (Metro) announced today the start of the construction phase of the Westlake Transit Improvement project, as we previously covered.

Beginning on January 4, 2016 through March 26, 2016, service on the South Lake Union Streetcar will be severely curtailed in order to allow for new station platform construction and relocation.

From January 4th thru the 17th, SDOT will be upgrading the transit stops along Westlake Ave at Mercer and Harrison Streets. Expect short-term sidewalk and lane closures.

During this time, the South Lake Union Streetcar will not operate on Monday-Thursday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, on Fridays after 9:00 AM, or at all on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition, SDOT states that the new transit lanes on Westlake Avenue as well as traffic and parking restrictions may go into effect as early as February 2016 when Metro begins testing new routes and training their drivers.

South Lake Union Streetcar Operating Schedule

JAN 04 - MAR 26, 20166AM - 9AM9AM - 3PM3PM - 1AM
Monday - Thursdaynormal serviceCLOSEDnormal service
Fridaynormal serviceCLOSEDCLOSED
Saturday & SundayCLOSEDCLOSEDCLOSED

Metro advises affected riders to use the Route 70 or Route 40 buses in the interim. And as for all large-scale projects, the schedule is subject to change.

For more information, please visit SDOT’s project page.