Hill streetcar + light rail update: Broadway 'big dig' comes to end, Feds make early payment

North side, originally uploaded by Oran Viriyincy.

By 2016, light rail is scheduled to serve Capitol Hill. Three years earlier, we're scheduled to have a streetcar on Broadway. Updates on both rail mass transit projects are below including a massive advance payment from the Feds to make it all happen. And remember, neighbors, don't use the Broadway light rail station construction area as a shortcut --- people do that? Apparently, people do:

• The 80-foot deep Broadway light rail station "box" is nearly complete. Last week, Sound Transit said contractors only had about 10,000 cubic yards left to dig out of the 100,000 cubic-yard job. You can read more about the milestone in this update from Seattle Transit Blog. Thanks to STB for the picture on this post. We've included a slideshow with some more of their images taken at the construction site last week, below.
• Sound Transit said earlier this month they expected to reach the final depth for the station box dig by this week.
• Even with the end of station box excavation, there's still plenty more digging left to come as twin tunnels are completed between the University of Washington and downtown.
• The Federal Transit Administration announced they are advancing more than $22 million of the $813 million in funding for the University Link light rail project the agency is on the hook for. The FTA says the early payment comes from a pool of $182 million in "unallocated" 2010 budget funds.

Seattle – University Link

Advanced Payment: $22,686,000

Sound Transit is extending its existing Central Link light rail transit line from its northern terminus at Westlake Station in downtown Seattle to the University of Washington, 3.1 miles to the northeast. The University Link corridor is the most densely developed residential and employment area in the Central Puget Sound region and the state of Washington. The extension is expected to serve more than 70,200 weekday riders by 2030. The project is estimated to cost $1.947 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $813 million.

• According to Sound Transit, crews are working 10 hour days Monday thru Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM and truck traffic at the site averages 18 - 19 trucks per day, hauling away dirt from the excavation.
• Sound Transit says the jet grouting at Pine Street near the Paramount Theater is complete and the street has been reopened. The contractor will now level the site, creating a pad for the crane which will remove the tunnel boring machine when it completes its first tunnel next year.
• Any sign of that giant crane we're supposed to see on the Hill yet?
• Our favorite construction update sent out by Sound Transit to end 2010?

  Neighbors are also reminded that this is a closed construction site. Gates are open only for trucks and construction workers to pass in and out. The construction site is NOT a suitable shortcut between 10th Avenue and Broadway.

• Speaking of rules, this, Mayor James, is cheating.
• Meanwhile, the process that is planned to bring a streetcar to Broadway by the end of 2013 also has a few updates regarding the contracts for groups to construct the line and the system's railcars. Here's the latest from the SDOT blog:

SDOT reached two key milestones recently to move the First Hill Streetcar line closer to the start of construction. SDOT completed the evaluation process for selection of the project general contractor/construction manager (GC/CM).  This was a best value process based on qualifications and proposed fee for construction management services. The apparent best value proposer is Stacy & Witbeck, Inc.  The GC/CM will manage the scheduling and day-to-day construction activities that go into making the First Hill Streetcar a reality. Stacy & Witbeck are highly qualified, with experience as builders of the South Lake Union Streetcar and the Portland Streetcar.

SDOT has also issued an Industry Review Draft of a request for proposals (RFP) to manufacture streetcar vehicles for the project.  At least six streetcars will be needed for the 2.5 mile First Hill line.  The new streetcars will be very similar to those now operating on the South Lake Union Line.  After receiving comments on the draft from potential suppliers, SDOT will issue a final RFP, with selection of a supplier anticipated by mid-2011.

To learn more about the First Hill Streetcar, visit the project homepage.