Seattle Center Monorail Station Improvements
May 13, 2020 PSRC Regional FTA Competition
1 This proposal: • Strengthens link between Urban Growth Centers and Regional Transit • Increases transit capacity reducing traffic congestion and emissions • Improves safety and ADA accessibility Sustainable Transit Serving Seattle since 1962 World’s Fair
Now Into a New Future
Carried over 8 million passengers during the six-month fair, averaging 43,000 passengers per day. And over 80 million since. Uptown & Downtown Need a Stronger Transit Link
• Uptown Rezoned in 2017 • Affordable housing focus areas • Centers growing faster than 2015 estimates • Relief from increasing traffic congestion • Access to recreation, arts and culture • Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) opportunity
4 5 Seattle-Tacoma Airport
6 Seattle-Tacoma Airport
7 Seattle-Tacoma Airport
8
Current With Monorail Capacity Status Improvements
Capacity 3,000 6,000 in one direction passengers passengers (per hour)
Dwell time 5 minutes 2.5 minutes (time between train departures) Key Problems • Station was modified and constrains capacity and passenger flow • Does not meet current ADA requirements
Non-level platform height with train floor Limited queueing and safety concerns without automated platform doors
Narrow pedestrian walkway is the only designated ADA path
Inadequate weather protection for crowds
Crossflow issues
Limited Wayfinding Thomas Street Non-ADA-Compliant Ramp Limited visibility at Main Entrance at entrance 11 Key Problem All ADA access routes to the Monorail are bottlenecked through Armory pedestrian bridge Key Solutions through Station Improvements • Increases capacity and passenger flow • Meets current ADA requirements • Improves safety, security, and passenger experience
Level platform with Expanded queueing and train floor improved safety with automated platform doors
Add weather protection for crowds
New ADA ramp minimizes crossflow issues
Thomas Street Greater Visibility ADA-Compliant Ramp at Expanded Wayfinding at Entrance Main Entrance 13 Schedule Cost Planning Phase completed (2019) $7M estimated design and construction Launching Design Phase (May 2020) $2.2M secured ($1.4M local match) Target completion at Arena opening $4.8M requested
Leverages $6.6M private investment at Westlake Station System Continuity and Long-term Benefit
Electrically-powered The Monorail is Efficient way to Reduces travel time and operating stewarded to operate move crowds since 1962 indefinitely
Key connector in Improves intermodal Maximizes an existing Makes transit a more transit network connections with grade-separated attractive choice ORCA integration transit link
15 Support for Centers Links urban centers together and to regional transit, fast efficient, grade separated link between these two growing urban centers Air Quality Improvements will encourage transit rather than driving or using rideshare, last mile solution reduces congestion in downtown neighborhoods Plan Consistency
Seattle Thomas St. North of Vision 2040 Center Seattle's Green Downtown Century 21 Street & Transportation Comprehensive Mobility Master Concept 2040 Plan Action Plan Plan Plan 16
Questions
19