Sen. Patty Murray and Sound Transit Board members gathered in Seattle this afternoon to announce Federal Transit Administrator Jenna Dorn's approval of a $500 million full funding grant agreement for Central Link light rail.

October 27, 2003

Edmonds Council Present Dave Earling, Mayor of Arlington and Community Transit Board Chair Bob Kraski , and Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Ron Sims open the Community Transit Ride Store.

(Click here for more information on the Lynnwood Transit Center project)

Sound Transit joined with its federal, state and community partners today for the formal dedication of the newly renovated Lynnwood Transit Center, Snohomish County's most vital transit hub. The improvements, when coupled with the soon-to-be-completed Direct Access HOV ramps should shave up to 15 minutes off bus rides between Snohomish and King counties during heavy commuting periods.

In addition to a new transit center featuring 20 bus bays, 365 more parking spaces and improved amenities, the project will include a new HOV interchange giving buses and carpools direct access to I-5's HOV lanes.

"The benefits for bus riders who commute between the Snohomish and King counties will be dramatic," said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Ron Sims. "Everyone else will benefit too, since the interchange will improve traffic conditions in the area of the transit center by removing many bus routes from streets near the I-5 interchange and reducing congestion caused by merging vehicles on I-5."

The transit center's improved amenities include larger passenger waiting areas, better weather protection, enhanced public safety, improved lighting, public art, bicycle racks and lockers and traffic signals. Sound Transit currently is seeking a vendor to operate an espresso stand and Community Transit will be operating a new RideStore at the site. The station features an extensive stormwater drainage system to protect salmon habitat. Still planned for construction are intersection improvements at 48th Avenue West and 200th Street Southwest as well as 46th Avenue West and 200th Street Southwest.

The City of Lynnwood worked closely with Sound Transit to create a facility that will complement the City's planned Central Business District project.

The Lynnwood facility is the transit hub for south Snohomish County. Community Transit and Sound Transit's ST Express buses make a combined 486 weekday trips through the transit center.

"This project is a particularly important one for Snohomish County citizens and regional commuters," said Sound Transit Vice Chair/Edmonds City Councilman Dave Earling. "With help from our federal partners, and excellent construction management, we were able to reopen the transit center on time for this past September's service change." Earling also serves on the Community Transit Board.

Planning for the project was carried out in partnership with elected officials, agency staff members and community and business leaders participating in an Executive Advisory Committee. Groups represented include the City of Lynnwood, South Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, Edmonds School District, Community Transit and its Citizen Advisory Committee, the Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation, Transit Now, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the League of Women Voters.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.