Project momentum continues toward construction
Project design refinements maximize savings, project poised to begin construction later this year
Sound Transit continues to refine and finalize the design of the Lynnwood Link Extension track and stations. This is an ongoing effort with input and collaboration from multiple partner agencies, engineers, contractors and artists.
Last year, cost estimates to complete construction of the Lynnwood Link Extension were higher than planned. The project team worked with its partner agencies to find potential design refinements that will help reduce costs while maintaining the project scale and scope:
- 8.5 miles of Link light rail service between Northgate and Lynnwood
- 4 stations: Northeast 145th Street, Northeast 185th Street, Mountlake Terrance Transit Center and Lynnwood Transit Center
Stay tuned for upcoming informational forums this summer, where more details about the latest designs of each station will be shared as the project nears the 90 percent design milestone.
Work to secure federal funding
In addition to preparing for construction, we continue to work with our federal partners to secure $1.17 billion in Capital Investment Grant (CIG) funding from the Federal Transit Administration. Earlier this month, the agency submitted a formal Full Funding Grant Agreement application, kicking off a negotiation on a final agreement that we expect can be executed this summer.
While due diligence toward successful execution of this grant is ongoing, we received promising news last week that the President has signed a spending bill that includes funding for the CIG program. We will continue working with members of our Congressional delegation to advance our application.
Did you know?
Lynnwood Link will be gearing up for active pre-construction work throughout this year, with major work anticipated to start in late 2018. You can expect to receive project-wide updates about construction this fall. In the meantime, we are actively working with the cities of Seattle, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood to get ready for construction. You may receive more local information regarding preconstruction activities such as utility work, demolition, clearing, grading and permitting processes in your neighborhood.
Some of these activities include:
- Plant salvage events
- Property acquisition
- Community meetings
- Localized pre-construction activities, such as clearing and grading
- Field work, including geotechnical borings and survey work
Looking ahead to the rest of 2018
Spring 2018
- Design continues toward construction-ready plans
Summer 2018
- Localized demolition
- Informational forums in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood
- Design continues toward construction-ready plans
Late 2018
- Construction begins