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Regional transit history 2005 - 2007

 

2005-2007: Developing Sound Transit 2

In 2005, the Sound Transit Board updated the Agency's Long Range Plan. Sound Transit then began to work extensively with the public to identify projects and services to include in a Sound Transit 2 ballot measure.

In 2006 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature voted to require Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) to jointly develop a ballot measure that would include both road and transit improvements. On November 6, 2007 the voters of Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties voted on Proposition 1, which included RTID Blueprint for Progress and Sound Transit Phase 2 plans. The measure was defeated.

Key documents >

 

Chronology

 

Mar 2006 State Legislature requires joint roads & transit ballot

The Washington State Legislature passes a bill requiring Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) to jointly develop a ballot measure that would include both road and transit improvements.

Apr 2006 Agreement gets light rail to the airport

The Sound Transit Board approves an agreement outlining the terms and conditions for development of the Airport Link project on Port of Seattle property at the airport. The Port of Seattle Commission also approved the agreement. Sound Transit has secured all of the necessary land use permits and construction on the 1.7-mile airport extension.

April 2006 Sound Transit Board adopts University Link route

The Sound Transit Board approves a plan for extending Link light rail from downtown Seattle to the University of Washington. The 3.1-mile University Link extension will connect the three largest urban centers in the region: downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University District and by itself will add 70,000 riders a day to the Link line.

July 2006 Board seeks public input on three mass transit expansion options

The Sound Transit Board releases three sample investment options for comment and consideration by the public, transit partners and jurisdictions throughout in the region. The three options highlight the potential expansions available using sales tax investments of 3 cents, 4 cents and 5 cents on a $10 purchase. All three investment options include light rail extensions to the north, south and east from the initial segment currently under construction from downtown Seattle to SeaTac. The Board also identifies light rail as its preferred mode for providing high capacity transit across Lake Washington on I-90 to the Eastside.

Nov 2006 Sound Transit celebrates its first 10 years

Sound Transit officially observes its first decade of existence. Created by voters in 1996, Sound Transit now carries more than 10 million passengers a year in its buses and trains and is making improvements to increase mobility throughout Central Puget Sound.

Dec 2006 Supreme Court ruling on MVET

The Washington State Supreme Court rules that Sound Transit can continue collecting its 0.3 percent motor vehicle excise tax until the agency's 30-year bonds are retired in 2028. Although the MVET tax was cancelled by voters following passage of I-776 in 2002, Sound Transit had already issued the bonds in 1999.

Jan 2007 Board adopts Sound Transit 2 Draft Package

The Sound Transit Board adopts a Sound Transit 2 Draft Package that would expand light rail north from the University of Washington into Snohomish County, south from Sea-Tac International Airport into Pierce County, and east across Lake Washington. Besides expanding light rail, the draft package would add parking and other enhancements at Sounder commuter rail and ST Express bus facilities, build a new streetcar in downtown Seattle connecting the International District, First Hill and Capitol Hill areas and fund studies of additional future high capacity extensions on SR 520 and I-90.

May 2007 Tunnel boring machine breaks through

The Link light rail tunnel boring machine breaks through the east side of Beacon Hill, completing the first half of the Beacon Hill tunnel. Obayashi Corporation launched the tunnel boring machine in January, 2006.

May 2007 Board approves Sound Transit 2 plan

The Sound Transit Board unanimously adopts the Sound Transit 2 plan, which is the transit piece of the Roads & Transit package going to voters in November, 2007. Sound Transit 2 would extend light rail another 50 miles, including to new destinations on the Eastside, Pierce and Snohomish counties. It also would enhance Sounder commuter rail and ST Express regional bus service, add approximately 11,000 park-and-ride stalls to the region and build a streetcar in Downtown Seattle connecting the International District, First Hill and Capitol Hill areas.

July 2007 Sound Transit 2 approved for the ballot

The Sound Transit Board unanimously agrees to call an election to approve local taxes to implement the Sound Transit 2 Plan for Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. Sound Transit 2 will join the Roads & Transit package of transit and road improvements on the Nov. 6 ballot. The Board also confirms the Sound Transit 2 boundaries for the election.

Nov 2007 Proposition 1 defeated

Voters in the Sound Transit District defeat Proposition 1, also known as the Roads & Transit plan. The plan would have added 50 miles of new light rail and made improvements to major roadways throughout the region. The measure is defeated 56 percent to 44 percent.

 

Key Documents

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