Sound Transit releases UW light-rail station design

The $38 million light-rail project at the University of Washington calls for pedestrian bridges over Montlake Boulevard Northeast and Northeast Pacific Place traffic, linking the light-rail station and University of Washington buildings to the Rainier Vista Triangle, the Seattle Times reports. The plan does cost more than four times as much as Sound Transit's original $8 million bridge, a narrow overcrossing from the station directly to upper campus. The UW regents and the city approved the simpler bridge in 2008, but the university later suggested a more ambitious vision that makes use of the triangle and aids bus routes. In a tentative agreement among five governments, the state Department of Transportation agreed to supply $22 million from its Highway 520 bridge budget, because the triangle plan enhances the bicycle and pedestrian trails that will be part of a new six-lane, $4.6 billion crossing, according to Kerry Ruth, a DOT project manager. Sound Transit pledged $12 million, and UW $4 million. According to the University newspaper, The Daily, Sound Transit predicts the University link line will bring in an extra 70,000 boardings per day by 2030. Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray said this portion of the light rail will have the highest amount of riders and noted its speed as compared to current options. Josh Kavanagh, the director of UW Transportation Services said, “The Light Rail has been warmly received by commuters in towns, and we look forward to having that connection to the university.” One major benefit of the station is that it will give students a direct route to the airport. The University Link will have stops around the city, including one in Capitol Hill, where a station is currently under construction. Despite the stops, Rebecca Barnes, the university architect and campus-planning assistant vice provost, is supportive of the plan. “It will make it much easier to get to and from the university from parts of the city,” Barnes said. “[It’s] a faster connection from downtown and Capitol Hill.” So far, the process is on schedule to be completed with the two-year tunneling process to create the underground station beginning this May.