SR-Tunnel, Transit Options And $1 Parking Ease Access To Seattle Center

A new day in Seattle Center and access arrived with the opening of the SR-99 Tunnel. The long-anticipated highway, providing an uninterrupted ride between SODO and Seattle Center, opens as the Center launches an access campaign highlighting the many transportation options available to visitors of Seattle Center, South Lake Union and the Uptown area.

The new effort underscores the importance of transportation access to the success of the many outstanding arts, entertainment and family destinations on the ground and the numerous retail and restaurant establishments that surround Seattle Center. The campaign includes a new online resource, Find Your Ride. It also unveils an upbeat instructional video that lays out the many ways for people to find their way to Seattle Center. Here are some considerations incorporated into Find Your Ride:

Seattle Center encourages visitors to determine their best walking, cycling or transit route in advance, building in time to travel to the area for their activity. Information on current road construction affecting access to Seattle Center and alternate routes may be found here: www.seattlecenter.com/news/detail.aspx?id=2586. Ideas on new ways to get to the Center can be found at: http://www.seattlecenter.com/findyourride.

Alternative Routes: Besides the major routes to Seattle Center via the Mercer St or Stewart St/Denny Way exits off I-5, there are alternates routes such as Aurora Ave, Elliott Ave, 15th Ave W and I-5 downtown entries/exits to consider during non-commute times.

Parking at Seattle Center: Seattle Center offers garage parking adjacent to the grounds in 5th Ave N Garage, with entries and exits on Harrison and Republican streets, and Mercer Street Garage, with entries/exits on 3rd and 4th avenues, between Mercer Ave N and Roy St. Both garages offer designated disabled parking spots, and if all the available spaces are full, visitors should check with a parking attendant.

Seattle Center Monorail: Seattle Center Monorail takes riders between Seattle Center and Westlake Center, offering an easy link to downtown Metro bus and Link Light Rail services. The Monorail, which departs every 10 minutes, will operate on a shortened schedule through March, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays, to accommodate upgrades on the Monorail elevator. Once the elevator reopens, service returns to: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

King County Metro: Ample bus service to Seattle Center is available via Metro routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 18, 19, 24, 29, 31, 33 and the Rapid Ride D Line (all routes remain unchanged with the surfacing of buses from the transit tunnel). To find bus routes, visit the King County Metro Trip Finder or call Metro at 206-553-3000.

Seattle Streetcar-South Lake Union Line: With the opening of Harrison St across Aurora Ave, the streetcar is a short walk from Seattle Center. Take it from downtown. It accepts ORCA cards, cash or credit cards.

A quick trip on the Monorail or brisk city walk offers downtown/SLU workers a great means to wait out the evening commute. The many venues at Seattle Center present outstanding live theater, dance and music throughout the week and weekend. Numerous restaurants and lounges scattered around the grounds and in the Uptown, Belltown and South Lake Union neighborhoods provide ample culinary/cocktail exploration for before or after. Learn more at: www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

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