Board Chair

Message from Greg Nickels Mayor of Seattle Fixing our ailing transportation system is critical to the long-term health of Central Puget Sound’s economy, environment and way of life. And, as the architect and builder of this region’s mass transit system, Sound Transit is a major player in that future.  I’m pleased to report that Sound Transit is making huge strides building and operating the first phase of a reliable, environmentally sound mass transit system for Central Puget Sound.

The evidence is all around us, from new park-and-ride lots and HOV access lanes to more round-trip Sounder commuter trains running from Everett and Tacoma into Seattle.

And in 2008, major construction will finish up on most of the Link light rail line between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport, which remains on schedule to open in 2009. The agency this year will also break ground on the enormously important 3.1-mile Link light rail extension from downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.

Although a lot has been accomplished, there’s much left to do. A fully developed transportation system that connects our region is more important than ever. For business to thrive and generate jobs, we must offer new ways of moving goods and people. Electric light rail is the backbone of our regional system, offering thousands of riders a congestion-free alternative to sitting in traffic. Because it moves so many people so efficiently, light rail is also very important in reducing global warming and helping sustain Puget Sound’s precious environment.

The Sound Transit Board will be busy throughout 2008 working on the future direction of the agency, including preparing for the extension of the region’s mass transit system. In the wake of the defeat of Proposition 1, the Roads & Transit package, we are committed to continuing to work with communities to determine our next steps.

We must move forward.

The transportation infrastructure that we’re building for today, and the future, is crucial for our children and grandchildren.