Thank you again to all who provided input this spring after we published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on March 5!
Starting in November, the Sound Transit Board will review community feedback as well as findings from the Draft EIS. Following the Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee meeting on Nov. 10, the Draft EIS public engagement summary will be available on our project website.
On their Dec. 16 meeting, the Board will then identify a site as a “preferred alternative” for more study the Final EIS. A preferred alternative is a statement of where the agency is leaning based on information available at the time. It's not a final decision.
In 2022, Sound Transit will publish the Final EIS. In the Final EIS, we’ll respond to substantive comments on the Draft EIS from the public, tribes, agencies and cities.
Between 2022 and 2023, after we publish the Final EIS, the Sound Transit Board will select the site and the project to be built.
We’ll keep you updated as schedule and timing evolves!
On Aug. 5, the Sound Transit Board adopted a realigned capital plan to address steeply rising construction and real estate costs affecting many voter-approved regional transit expansion projects. The Board-adopted plan identifies 2029 as the initial target date for opening the OMF South.
Some projects in the planning phase, including the OMF South, also experienced non-financial delays in recent months. Many of Sound Transit’s government and community project partners were forced to shift resources to addressing the human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and were justifiably unable to review planning and environmental documents during that time.
When combined with our own delays, these delays in individual agencies and organizations had a compounding effect on some project schedules, including the OMF South’s. For this reason, 2029 would be the earliest possible date for opening this facility, even if projected financial impacts are eliminated.
Close collaboration with partners will be required to deliver the OMF South as rapidly as possible to support the opening of future light rail extensions.
Learn more about the realignment process and increased construction cost estimates at soundtransit.org/realignment.
We’re offering briefings to property owners who may be potentially affected by the OMF South site alternatives. If you have questions about your property or would like to meet with the project team, please reach out. We’re here to help!
Keep your eye out for future project updates and encourage your friends, family and fellow community members to subscribe.
We’re always interested talking to the community. Request a briefing for your community group to learn more about the project and how you can stay involved.
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