Sound Transit expedites light-rail extension, implements sustainability plan

The Sound Transit Board approved accelerating construction of the South Link light-rail extension from Sea-Tac Airport to South 200th Street in Seattle, Wash. The South 200th Link project includes a 1.6-mile, elevated guideway and station with a planned opening in September 2016, four years earlier than envisioned in the voter-approved Sound Transit 2 plan and at the same time, University Link service will begin. "Moving forward with construction of the South 200th light rail extension earlier than planned is an exciting opportunity for South King County," said Aaron Reardon, Sound Transit Board chair and Snohomish County executive. "In just a few short years, thousands of south county residents every day will be able to enjoy fast, efficient light rail service to the airport, downtown Seattle and the University of Washington, with numerous connections to other major employment centers throughout the region." The decision to accelerate construction was based on the project's state of readiness to move forward with final design and construction, its potential to increase ridership and its capacity to provide additional system parking concurrent with the opening of the University Link project. The agency is also in a position to take advantage of a favorable bidding climate. Sound Transit plans to use a design-build delivery method for the project. The project is estimated to cost $383.2 million and Sound Transit will apply for a federal Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery grant. Based on the size of the South 200th extension, if awarded, the grant could be between $28 to $34 million. Grant funding received would be added to the financial capacity of the South King County subarea. By 2018, the South 200th Station will serve an estimated 2,700 boardings on an average weekday. The stations at Capitol Hill and the University of Washington will serve 11,800 and 14,900 riders each weekday, respectively. System-wide, 25 million transit users will ride Link in 2018. By 2030, Link light rail will serve 260,000 people each weekday. Additionally, Sound Transit Board has plans for the implementation of an agency Sustainability Plan. The plan outlines how the agency will implement and fund sustainability efforts across all activities related to planning, designing, constructing and operating transit services and facilities. It establishes long-term priorities and provides a roadmap for how actions will be accomplished as Sound Transit delivers major transit investments across the region in the years ahead. "Sound Transit offers residents throughout our growing region the opportunity to reduce their environmental footprints by climbing aboard our buses and trains. However, our contributions don't end there," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "We are committed to making sustainability a core factor in everyday operating decisions." The Sustainability Plan, available at www.soundtransit.org/environmental, will build on the agency's work since 2004 to respond to this global challenge.