Puget Sound Transportation Projects

Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel - Stations

International District

Local Area

International District, Qwest Stadium (Seahawks), SAFECO Field (Mariners), Sounder, AMTRAK, Uwijamya.

Art

Large sculptures on the wall evoke Asian origami artwork. Above ground the station looks like a Japanese garden.

Notes

Station is partially outside. South of here is the Busway and the direct ramps to I-90. Link light rail continues from here down the busway.

Pioneer Square

Local Area

Pioneer Square, King County Courthouse, City Hall.

Art

Station looks like classic railroad stations of the late 1800's. Two clocks adorn the walls. One is made out of tools used in the tunnels construction. Another is made from found objects discovered when digging the tunnel. A large flywheel from the Madison Street streetcar line, discovered during construction, sits in the mezzanine. One entrance, in a park has a pergola along the lines of the pergola in Pioneer Square.

Notes

Station is completely underground. The segment from here to the University Street Station is the only straight section of the system and therefore is the fastest.

University Street

Local Area

Benaroya Hall (Seattle Symphony), Seattle Art Museum. US Post Office. Washington Mutual tower, other large financial employers.

Art

Station evokes the hustle and bustle of the financial center above. Red lines in the ceiling give a sense of movement. Animated electronic artwork can be viewed on the mezzanine level.

Notes

Station is completely underground.

Westlake

Local Area

Westlake Shopping Center, Pike Place Market, Nordstoms, The Bon (Macys), Seattle Center Monorail, other shopping and hotels.

Art

Station reflects the shopping centers located above. Colorful terra-cotta walls and seats have sandblasted clothing patterns evocative of store window displays.

Notes

Station is completely underground. This station marks the transition between the cut and cover and bored sections of the tunnel. Stone used for some of the artwork inside this station came from South Africa in the late 80's and was very controversial due to the apartheid policy in place during this time. This is also the current end of the Link light rail line and will be the last tunnel station on the way to the University District and Capitol Hill.

Convention Place

Local Area

Washington State Convention Center, Paramount Theater, office buildings.

Art

Light and power poles in the bus layover and conversion area look like a forest. Neon marquees at the top of the stairs echo the marquee on the Paramount Theater across the street. A waterfall flows down one wall from the street.

Notes

Station is open-air but lower than street grade. A "control tower" can be seen going in to the tunnel. Ramps from here allow buses from the Eastside to exit I-5 directly into the station. Station is NOT served by Link light rail.