Sound Transit Sounder service temporarily relocates to original Tacoma station platform

Sound Transit has temporarily changed where commuters catch the Sounder train in Tacoma. As of this afternoon, the train will not stop at the new Sounder station behind Freighthouse Square but instead stop at the temporary platform used before the permanent station was built. The new location is just north of the parking garages at the station, across Puyallup Avenue. The change is effective immediately, beginning with this afternoon's three southbound trains.

The move to the former station is a safety precaution, while engineers study soil settlement on the new connector between the BNSF main line and the Tacoma Dome Station at Freighthouse Square. Since last fall, Sound Transit has been monitoring the soil at the structural earth wall upon which the track is built. It initially appeared that the soils were stabilizing and that there was a declining trend in settlement. Yesterday, however, the agency became aware that settlement continues and creates concerns about the stability of the embankment. Further analysis must be performed in order to restore service to the permanent station as quickly as possible.

Since the soil studies began, the agency has been carefully monitoring the situation to ensure track compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety regulations. The tracks remain in compliance with FRA regulations.

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