Seattle-to-Everett Track & Signal Upgrades

Description

The rail line between Seattle and Everett is one of the busiest in the entire nation. Sounder commuter trains, Amtrak passenger trains and BNSF Railway Company freight trains all use the 30-mile-long corridor.

To improve the safety and the movement of passenger and freight trains, BNSF, which owns the track, is making a number of track and signal upgrades.

The improvements include:

Adding a second track for safety and efficiency in some of the areas where there is only one track. The areas needing double tracking include through Edmonds and Mukilteo.

Adding six crossover sections where trains can cross from one track to another.

Adding 28 new train signals to bring the corridor up to BNSF’s nationwide standards.

The improvements will allow BNSF to increase the number of trains running through the corridor, reduce the time that trains need to idle and advance train mobility and safety.

Sound Transit paid BNSF for the right to run four Sounder commuter trains in the north corridor. Sound Transit is also undertaking the environmental work and is paying for environmental mitigation projects that include improvements to Willow and Deer creeks.

BNSF is planning, scheduling and building the track and signal work.

More information on train signal design

• Train signal design description
• Why are the Signals Required? (Focus on Edmonds area)

Project Contact

Gus Melonas
Corporate Relations, BNSF
Phone:(206) 625-6220
gus.melonas@bnsf.com

If you have questions about Sound Transit projects, please contact:

Roger Iwata
Community Outreach Specialist
Phone:(206) 689-4904
roger.iwata@soundtransit.org