ACP Pubs

Carl Molesworth

Sound Transit Readies 15-Year Plan
July 21, 2008

While public officials in the Central Puget Sound region dither about how to raise money to fix and expand highways, Sound Transit is closing in on a decision that could put a mass transit ballot measure on the November ballot. The full Sound Transit board may vote this week on the 15-year proposal that will offer expanded bus, commuter and light rail in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties.

The Sound Transit proposal is a departure from last year’s Proposition 1 measure, which combined roads and transit project in a huge 20-year package that voters soundly rejected. This package’s capital projects would cost $13.3 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars that include inflation estimates. Funding would come from a 0.5 percent increase of the local sales tax, which pencils out to approximately $69 annually for each adult in the three-county area.

“This package would achieve a 53-mile regional light rail system by 2023 while focusing on moving quickly to launch major commuter rail and regional express bus expansions,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. “It responds to the loud and clear call we’ve heard for major mass transit expansions, while maintaining faster completion dates and a lower price tag than last year’s package.”

Here are some details of the construction aspects of Sound Transit’s plan:

· Northward expansion of light rail from the University of Washington to Northgate by 2020, with a further extension to Lynnwood by 2023.

· Eastward expansion of light rail to Bellevue and onward to Overlake Transit Center in Redmond by 2021.

· Southward expansion of light rail to Highline Community College by 2020 and Federal Way’s South 272nd Street area by 2023, five years earlier than Proposition 1.

· Improved station access: Funding to increase access to transit facilities in Auburn, Edmonds, Kent, Lakewood, Mukilteo, Puyallup, South Tacoma, Sumner, Tacoma and Tukwila. Projects would be tailored to the needs of each location and may include expanded parking; pedestrian improvements at or near stations; additional bus/transfer facilities for improved feeder service to stations; bicycle access and storage; and new and expanded drop-off areas to encourage ride-sharing.

More information on the 15-year plan and other options is available at www.soundtransit.org.

Until next time …

Posted by Carl Molesworth on July 21, 2008 | Comments (0)