Sound Transit to host open house on Tacoma Trestle project

Public invited to provide input on early conceptual plans for replacing aging railroad trestle

Sound Transit will conduct an open house on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at 323 Puyallup Avenue to provide the public an early opportunity to learn about the proposed concepts for replacing the aging Tacoma Trestle.

The timber trestle east of Freighthouse Square, which was originally constructed more than 100 years ago, will be replaced with a modern, concrete, double-track structure. Other improvements include upgrading railroad signals, reinforcing the embankment along the bridge, making minor street repairs and relocating some utilities.

The project will enable Sound Transit to handle planned increases in passenger rail trains. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015 and be finished by 2017.

The additional Sounder trips and new railroad bridge were approved by voters in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. 

Planning and construction for the Tacoma Trestle project will occur independently of work on the Point Defiance Bypass project.

More information on the Tacoma Trestle Project can be found at soundtransit.org/Projects-and-Plans/Tacoma-Trestle-Project.