Mode: Link

Project phase: Scoping & alternatives analysis

Milestones: Alternative analysis May 2012 - April 2013

Preferred corridor expected to be identified spring of 2013 

Alternatives documents are available in the project document archive.

Alternatives Analysis

Building an expansion of Tacoma Link will require substantial federal funding. The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) discretionary New Starts program is the federal government's primary financial resource for supporting locally planned, implemented and operated transit capital investments such as Tacoma Link. New Starts funding is awarded nationwide on a competitive basis following a rigorous, objective review of potential projects. Sound Transit plans to request New Starts funds for the Tacoma Link expansion project.  

To be eligible and competitive for these federal funds, Sound Transit is completing an alternatives analysis (AA) for the project. An AA is the local process for evaluating costs, benefits and impacts of a range of alternatives designed to address mobility problems and other locally identified objectives in a defined transportation corridor, and for determining which particular investment strategy should be advanced for more focused study and development. The goal of an AA is to provide the public, local officials and potential funding partners with sufficient information to decide: "What is the best transportation solution for addressing our problems? What are its benefits? How much will it cost? And how are we going to pay for it?"

What's been accomplished so far?

Phase I (June 2012-September 2012)

Developed a list of possible corridor alternatives for expanding Tacoma Link. This list built upon the corridors identified by the Tacoma Link Expansion Stakeholder Group and Sound Transit's Pre-AA study (more information available at www.soundtransit.org/tacomalinkexpansion) as well as additional input from the community.  

Held open houses to seek input from the public and agencies on corridor alternatives (August 2012). This public process was part of "early scoping" for the public and agencies under National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) in order to obtain public input on the potential alternatives prior to any formal environmental documentation.  

Developed written statements explaining the project's purpose, need, goals and objectives.  

Defined the corridor alternatives and prepared for initial screening of alternatives.  

Submitted "AA Initiation Package" to Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  

What's next?

Phase II  (October 2012-April 2013)

Gather information from stakeholders, community members and agencies on evaluation criteria, purpose and need and additional alternatives. Conduct initial screening of alternatives including public and agency input. Screen the alternatives based on their ability to meet the project's purpose and need.

Define evaluation criteria and questions that came out of public and agency input and evaluate the alternatives that come out of the screening based on the evaluation questions.

In December, public meetings were held to discuss initial findings of the alternatives evaluation process.
Prepare a preliminary draft Alternatives Analysis report summarizing the alternatives evaluation and public/agency involvement process.

Hold public meetings to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary draft Alternatives Analysis Report in February.

Revise the alternatives analysis report based on public comments and prepare to present to the Sound Transit Board.

Spring 2013: Hold public meetings to discuss the draft Alternatives Analysis Report. Complete the Alternatives Analysis report and present to the Sound Transit Board. The Board will identify a preferred alternative to enter into the environmental review process and a project funding plan.

Determine type of environmental review documentation needed and next steps for the project. An additional formal environmental scoping process under NEPA and SEPA may be required.

Submit application for FTA New Starts/Small Starts grant funding.