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When Kingdoom comes, prepare for detours
Friday, March 17, 2000
By ROBERT L. JAMIESON Jr.
The implosion of the Kingdome will do more than level a fixture of Seattle's skyline.
It will create a headache for people catching planes, taking trains, driving automobiles or boarding buses.
Here's a tip sheet to plan ahead for the 8.30 a.m. blast on March 26:
Planes: A trip to Sea-Tac Airport will be a doozy because traffic routes -- from highways to city streets -- will be closed, detoured or slowed for safety reasons before and after the implosion.
Travelers should leave early and allow themselves several hours to catch a midmorning flight.
"Take a good book and spend your time at the airport," said Claudia Cornish, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. "Once the rolling slowdowns begin you will have a hard time getting anywhere fast."
People heading to Sea-Tac could take alternate routes that bypass I-5, such as Interstate 405, Rainier Avenue South or Highway 509.
But these roads will likely be filled by drivers thinking the same thing.
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration will impose a no-fly zone half-mile around the Dome at a level of 1,800 feet just before the blast.
But an FAA spokesman could not say whether the no-fly zone will cause airport delays.
Trains: Trains scheduled to leave or depart King Street Station near the Dome on the morning of March 26 will now leave or depart from other depots in Western Washington.
The Southbound Cascade No. 751, scheduled to go from Seattle to Portland at 7:30 a.m., is now scheduled to depart from Tacoma at 8:18 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Northbound Cascade No. 760, scheduled to go from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., at 7:45 a.m., will leave from Edmonds at 8:12 a.m.
Amtrak passengers unable to board at Tacoma or Edmonds may go to the Seattle Greyhound bus terminal at 811 Stewart St. and take a charter bus, supplied by Amtrak, to appropriate depots.
Two other trains also will be affected:
The Coast Starlight No. 11, scheduled to go from Seattle to Los Angeles at 9:45 a.m., will now originate in Tacoma, leaving at 10:43 a.m.
And the Empire Builder No. 7, which was to arrive in Seattle on the morning of the implosion, will arrive in Edmonds at 8:51 a.m. Family and friends can pick up passengers arriving on that train in Edmonds or wait for them to arrive by bus shuttle at Seattle's Greyhound station.
"We expect all other train service to be back to normal by noon (on March 26)," said Rich Mason, manager of product line services for Amtrak.
Buses: Buses going downtown will run through the restricted area up to 30 minutes before the blast.
About 8 a.m., the buses will be re-routed around the restricted area.
These routes will be re-routed: 1, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 33, 36, 42, 54, 55, 56, 71, 72, 73, 99, 106, 130, 132, 136, 137, 150, 174, 194, 215, 251, 254, 255, 307, 358 and 550.
The detours could be in place anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours after the implosion.
City officials and demolition crews say people should avoid the downtown area if at all possible.
Automobiles: Highway traffic should return to normal 30 minutes or more after the blast, Cornish said.
But the combination of road closures on regional highways, as well as plans for a restricted area in downtown Seattle -- including closure of some streets -- could add to the woes.
Seattle police plan to enforce the restriction area three hours before the implosion; their intent is to keep out people and vehicles that have no need to be in the area.
Ferries: Service should not be affected. But ferry officials are discouraging people from boarding ferries in the hope of getting a water view of the implosion.
No ferries will arrive or depart at the scheduled time of the implosion, a ferry spokeswoman said.
The 8:30 a.m. blast March 26 will disrupt travel. For more information:
P-I reporter Robert L. Jamieson Jr. can be reached at 206-448-8125 or robertjamieson@seattle-pi.com
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
About 30 minutes before the implosion, the State Patrol will close or begin "rolling slowdowns" of major highways -- Interstates 5 and 90, state Route 520 and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
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