Seattle Doesn't Need A 2nd Tunnel?

The Seattle Times Traffic Lab article “Will a new light-rail station land in Pioneer Square” typifies the paper’s failure to “dig into” the issues.  For example, does Sound Transit really need to build a second downtown transit tunnel to anchor a $15 billion expansion from Ballard to West Seattle?  Do the benefits of the tunnel offset the disruption of locating a second District/Chinatown station near existing light-rail station.

 

The Sound Transit 3 map voters approved in 2016 costed the Ballard-to- Downtown Seattle Light rail as $2,383-$2,550 (2014 $M) and Downtown Seattle to West Seattle Light Rail as $1,431-$1,531 (2014 $M), less than a third of the current $15B.  This would seem to raise questions as to why the increase in cost and whether Sound Transit has the authority to spend so much more than what they promised prior to 2016 vote.

 

Even more important is why the need for a second tunnel and station.  Sound Transit could terminate the Ballard extension at current Westlake station.  Riders that need to go beyond Westlake can transfer to Line 1 Link.  Sound Transit could also terminate East Link at existing International District/Chinatown station.  Again, those wishing to go further can transfer to Line 1 Link into Seattle or south to SeaTac.   The existing tunnel can surely accommodate Line 1 Link riders going beyond Westlake and Chinatown Station as well as those needing to transfer.

 

Eliminating the tunnel saves billions, avoids the need for a second station, 5 or 6 years of disruption along whatever route is selected, and shaves those years from the current 2037 debut.  Again, if the Traffic Lab “digs into” the issue it would likely conclude Seattle doesn't need a 2^nd tunnel and new Chinatown station.