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Sound Transit to host open houses on Tacoma Link expansion

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Public invited to provide input on possible transit corridor and mode options for expanding Tacoma Link system

Sound Transit will conduct two open houses on Wednesday, August 22 as part of an early scoping process to solicit options for expanding the 1.6-mile Tacoma Link system that now operates between the Tacoma Dome and Theater District stations.

The events will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the People's Community Center at 1602 South Martin Luther King Jr. Way and from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Station Plaza at 424 East 25th Street.

During this early scoping comment period, Sound Transit is seeking public input on the purpose and need for the project, alternative corridors or modes to be considered for the expansion, and evaluation measures and criteria to compare alternatives. The agency is also seeking comment on the transportation problems to be addressed by the expansion, as well as environmental, transportation, and community impacts and benefits of each alternative.

Last year, Sound Transit completed an analysis of eight potential corridors for the expansion of Tacoma Link. Six of the corridors were reviewed by a stakeholder group that included broad representation from public agencies, community organizations, and businesses throughout Pierce County. Sound Transit included two additional alternatives in the analysis to address the potential corridors for expansion included in the Regional Transit Long-Range Plan for the agency. The information gathered during the stakeholder group process will serve as a foundation for working with the community to ensure Sound Transit is evaluating all potential corridor options.

The Tacoma Link expansion was approved by voters in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. The purpose of the expansion is to improve mobility and access to the regional transit system by connecting the existing Tacoma Link system with the city's major employment, residential and activity centers.

Citizens unable to attend the open houses can submit comments online , by email to erin.hunter@soundtransit.org, or by writing to Erin Hunter, Tacoma Link Expansion Project, Sound Transit, 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, Washington, 98104-2826. Public comments during the early scoping process are accepted through September 17.