Amtrak train alert for Seattle

[ttnc4me]

We are taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver for our cruise soon.

 

 

Dear Amtrak Passenger,

Our records indicate that you are scheduled to depart on Amtrak Train from Seattle-WASHINGTON.

 

We are emailing to inform you that a restoration project is underway at the Seattle station, and there are also other construction projects near the station. As a result, passengers may encounter vehicle congestion in the area, limited parking and traffic flow changes.

 

Allow Extra Time

Please allow additional time to get to the station and access the boarding gates. Games and events at Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field may also impact travel to the station.

 

Limited Parking, Drop Off and Pick Up Only

Parking in the area is severely limited, so please allow additional time. You may want to be dropped off or take transit to the station. Please note that there is a new taxi area on South King Street, temporary 15-minute passenger load and unload spots, and temporary ADA parking stalls to facilitate access to the station during construction.

 

Navigating the Station

Changes have been made to the flow of traffic through the station. Passengers will now enter the Amtrak ticketing and baggage area from a temporary entrance north of the current station entrance, located at the same level as the previous entrance.

During this period, temporary waiting areas are also available for passengers, while the permanent waiting area is under construction. Please note that areas inside the station may be congested.

 

Project Information

King Street Station now features upgraded baggage and ticket areas and major restoration work will continue at Seattle’s historic train station through April 2013. This $23 million project will strengthen King Street Station and its clock tower to better withstand earthquakes, as well as restore the historical features of the station’s main hall and upgrade electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems to modern standards.

 

The restoration, managed by the city of Seattle, is an ongoing partnership between WSDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, Federal Transit Administration 4Culture services agency and the city. Since 2008, nearly $30 million in federal, state and local funding has been invested to improve the station and restore its unique historic character. The project is expected to be complete by spring 2013. For more information, visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/kingstreet.htm.

For travel aboard Amtrak Cascades service between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, Eugene and other Pacific Northwest destinations, visit www.AmtrakCascades.com. Follow us on twitter.com/Amtrak_Cascades.

 

Thank you for traveling with Amtrak. We appreciate your patience as we restore King Street Station. Reservation and train status information is available on Amtrak.com, our free iPhone app and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Join us on Facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us on Twitter.com/Amtrak. Thank you for traveling with us.

Sincerely, Amtrak Customer Service

[bonvoyagie]

At least you got a warning - I found out about it on their web site - and first hand when I arrived. It really is not as bad as they make it seem. We were able to get a taxi in a short time after our train arrived - they have that down pretty good - however there is only one place for both drop off and pick up and it does get congested - esp if there are tour buses there too. On the inside the signage is not the greatest - however when you go in the doors - head towards the ticketing area on the right - here is where you will check your bags and get your tickets - if you don't already have them - if this is where your travel on Amtrak begins you will have only a voucher with a bar code on it - you need to convert that to a ticket - that will be converted to a seat assigment when you check in. - it is less combursome than it sounds. If you are taking the #510 (the early morning train) there will be only those pax who are on that train - there are no other trains due at that time. If you are on the evening train - the continuation of #516 then you will be fighting with the pax from that train.

If you are on any other numbered "train" it will be a bus ride.

 

Good Luck

[LoriPhil]

Wow - thanks for the posting. We just picked up our tickets from our local Amtrak station for the evening train from Seattle to Vancouver this Sunday. We'll schedule a little more time to get there.