As Capitol Hill Station prepares to open for service in 2016 (along with some special local art), Seattle-area first responders will be practicing emergency and rescue drills in the subterranean facility and twin light rail tunnels:

Sound Transit will host a series of emergency drills with Seattle first responders next Monday – Thursday at the new University of Washington and Capitol Hill light rail stations. These drills are part of the commissioning process for the new University Link light rail line from downtown Seattle to UW that opens early next year. The drills offer local fire, police and aid crews a chance to familiarize themselves with the stations and emergency protocols. While the drills will take place entirely inside the stations and tunnels, neighbors can expect to see a large number of fire, police and medical vehicles in the vicinity of the station onCapitol Hill at Broadway and John and at UW just outside Husky Stadium.

UW Capitol Hill Demolition 100% 100% Station Excavation 100% 100% Tunnel construction – TBM mining 100% 100% Tunnel Construction – Cross Passage Excavation and Lining 100% 100% Station construction 100% 98.6% Power Systems & Track (overall) – 97.8% 97.8% 97.8% U-Link Overall 98.7%

Meanwhile, Sound Transit happily reports the Big Red Wall is officially gone: