Brenda poised for her second launch. She's started digging her second run this month. 

  

View from basement level at the University of Washington Station. Excavation is approximately 80% complete.

For more information on the Capitol Hill Station, please contact
Rhonda Dixon at 206-370-5569 or rhonda.dixon@soundtransit.org

For more information on the University of Washington Station, please contact
Wilbert Santos at 206-370-5516 or wilbert.santos@soundtransit.org

For more information on the University Link project, please contact
Jennifer Lemus at 206-398-5314 or jennifer.lemus@soundtransit.org

In this issue:

The tunnel boring machines are continuing their underground journeys. All three have made tremendous progress. Brenda has started her second trip towards downtown Seattle (see below). Togo and Balto are both due at the Capitol Hill station this spring.  

Brenda is Off on Her Second Run 
Brenda is digging her second tunnel from Capitol Hill to downtown Seattle. She made her first run in a little less than six months, digging 3,795 feet. Her estimated arrival in downtown Seattle is in early summer. Once Brenda has reached her final destination below Pine Street she will be disassembled, and parts of her will remain underground. Too bad she can't be part of the official Seattle Underground Tour.

View Brenda's trailing gear and lots of great construction activity at the Capitol Hill construction site.

Construction Vibration
As Togo and Balto dig their way south to Capitol Hill, their passing has not gone unnoticed. In recent months, some residents above the path of the tunnel have reported hearing a low rumbling from the machines as they dig. However, the disturbance only lasts a day or two. Digging at 50+ feet per day, the TBMs quickly move on.

A number of people have also reported experiencing noise and vibration from the construction supply trains used to carry heavy tunnel segments up to the TBMs, mainly in the Boyer and Shelby-Hamlin neighborhoods. Sound Transit has reduced the impact from the supply trains by grinding the joints between sections of temporary rail, and installing thick rubber pads underneath the temporary rail support. The mitigation appears to work well, as many residents report the noise and vibration is now unnoticeable or substantially less of a nuisance.

It is possible that construction vibration may be noticeable above the alignment on Capitol Hill as the TBMs work their way towards the station at Broadway and John. If you have concerns about the tunnel construction or questions about noise, please contact Sound Transit's 24-hour construction hotline at 1-888-298-2395.

Business Mitigation Update 
Your Capitol Hill.Com

Check out the stats for social media marketing for December!

YCH.com is working on a survey to evaluate and enhance the current website. The survey will focus on getting feedback from merchants and those that live, work and play on Capitol Hill. There will be a chance to win some fun prizes for those who complete the survey. This is a great opportunity to give your feedback and make yourcapitolhill.com an even better experience.

Look for a link to the survey in the upcoming February newsletter. Stay tuned!

Cal Anderson Park Skating Rink Recap
Sound Transit, the City of Seattle and Hunters Capital teamed up to bring a skating rink to Capitol Hill's Cal Anderson Park during the 2011 holiday season. This was the first annual skating rink and it attracted over 5,000 skaters to the Capitol Hill neighborhood, increased commerce and provided a delightful activity for all ages. The demand allowed for the rink to be extended until Jan. 1, 2012. The Seattle Parks Department is working with Hunters Capitol to explore the options of doing it again next year and making it an even bigger event!

STart Red Wall Update 
"Otters Holding Hands," is newly installed artwork on Broadway and Denny by artist Vida Rose. These paintings were inspired by the YouTube video, which has more than 17,000,000 views.

A description from Vida: “Native to the northwest, sea otters float through life. They smash open shells on their chest, eat off of their bellies and nurse babies while serenely lying on their backs. If an otter is napping, a buddy will hold onto its paw in order to keep it from floating adrift. My goal was to bring the same effect of the video to the street. I hope that passerby can feel the otter vibe and it will make them feel happy."

vidarosepictures.com
vida.rose@gmail.com

To check out the video of Otters Holding Hands, click here.

Construction at a glance