Project update: SR 522/NE 145th Bus Rapid Transit

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Project update

Sound Transit Bus in Bothell.

Project timeline and outreach update

The steep rise in real estate and construction costs in the region have driven up cost estimates for future transit expansion projects, contributing to a $6.5 billion affordability gap for delivering projects on earlier schedules. In response, following 17 months of discussions and engagement with jurisdictions and stakeholders, the Sound Transit Board adopted a realignment plan on Aug. 5, 2021 that will serve as a framework for delivering agency system expansions as rapidly as possible.

  • The SR 522/NE 145th Stride project was determined to be in the top tier of priorities and is now anticipated to begin service in 2026, a delay from 2024/2025.
  • The South Shoreline/148th light rail station that is part of Lynnwood Link is currently under construction and is still on schedule to open in 2024.In the interim, ST Express Route 522 will connect riders to the Roosevelt light rail station when the Northgate Link Extension opens.
  • All parking elements of the project were determined to be in the lowest tier of priority. Parking in Kenmore and Bothell is now anticipated to be complete in 2034 and Lake Forest Park in 2044.

To learn more about realignment, visit our realignment webpage.

Realignment news


What’s next

With realignment decisions, the project is moving forward in order to meet the updated project schedule. You may see a lot of activity this fall!

  • We will be asking the Sound Transit Board of Directors to approve the project to be built at the Sept. 23 Board meeting.
  • If the Board approves the project to be built, Sound Transit will also begin the Board approval process for authorizing the acquisition of the first set of needed property rights at the Sept. 23 Board meeting. While this will not be all properties involved at once, as design advances to confirm impact to properties, we will seek this authority in stages. All impacted property owners will be notified in advance of this consideration at upcoming Board meetings.
  • During the 30% design phase, which is now wrapping up, we determined the footprint of the project. The next phase of design will begin this fall. During 60% design, the project team will:
    • Finalize the design of roadway and sidewalks.
    • Finalize station design and public art.
    • Obtain land use, environmental and construction permits.
    • Begin the property acquisition process.
    • Continue engaging with and providing feedback opportunities for the public, community groups, businesses, elected officials and partner agencies to comment on and inform the design.

For property owners

The project will impact a large number of properties. The level of impact will range from temporary needs during construction, potentially the need to acquire a small strip of land adjacent the roadway, permanent easements, and in a very small number of cases, the need to acquire the entire property. Your acquisition field agent will be able to walk you through the project design and explain the specific impact identified on your parcel, and why that need has been identified in our project design.

While we are ready to start the property acquisition process on some properties, it will take months or even more than a year before we are at the point that we have started the property acquisition process on all affected properties.

  • The first step of the property acquisition process is that impacted properties are grouped into "packages" to bring to the Board.
  • We try to not exceed 50 properties in any one package, and it can take some time for each package to be ready for one of the monthly Board meetings. Therefore, it can take some time before we begin the acquisition process with all properties.
  • If your property is in the group that we expect to review at the Sept. 23 Board meeting, you should receive a certified letter from Sound Transit in early September informing you about the Board meeting.
  • Other groups of property owners will receive certified letters from us later in 2021 or 2022 to begin the property acquisition process.

Because the project is moving into this new phase, we are wrapping up the property owner meetings we have been holding for the last 20+ months.

  • General information for property owners is still available on our property owner microsite.
  • The property owner phone line supplied on letters inviting property owners to meetings with us has been retired. You can reach us at brt@soundtransit.org or 206-533-3412.

Once we send you the certified letter, our Real Property team will become your dedicated contact for the project.

 Property owner information


Bothell roadway construction update

Bothell has been constructing roadway improvements along SR 522 since April 2019. This project widens existing lanes along SR 522 and creates Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes in both directions east of 83rd Place NE. It also adds a sidewalk on the north side, installs center medians and streets lights, and relocates utilities underground.

Sound Transit helped fund this construction project, as the future SR 522/NE 145th Stride line and current ST Express Route 522 will utilize these BAT lanes to provide fast, frequent and reliable bus service. Construction is expected to be complete this fall.

Construction update

More project info: soundtransit.org/sr522brt
Get in touch: brt@soundtransit.org or 206-553-3412