Latest Cap Hill Light Rail Station Update

I attended the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station Update Meeting (phew!) this evening and found out many nifty things. There were a lot of people in attendance, but I don't know if any of them contribute to CHS. So here's the Cliff Notes version:

* There will be surface activity on the site 24/7 to support tunnel construction. 40-60 workers will be on site during any given shift.

* Sound Transit has a potential construction worker parking site on First Hill. In any case, workers will not park on the street near the station site.

* Demolition will start in January 2009. Tunneling and excavation will take place from January 2010 until December 2012. During tunneling and excavation, Denny and parts of Nagle will be closed to traffic. Sidewalks will remain open except for a few short term closures.

* Pedestrian safety issues regarding construction traffic (i.e.large dirt removal trucks) using Denny and Olive as access to and from the freeway were noted but have not been resolved.

* ST confirmed that 73 trees are to be removed from the site in the course of demolition. NRC Environmental, ST's demolition contractor for the project, is working with Big Trees, Inc. to identify and remove trees that can be relocated to new homes.

More details at Life on the Hill and Other Stories. You can also ask insightful questions in the comments!