Sound Transit to expand layover yard
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
Sound Transit
The Sound Transit Board of Directors has selected Shimmick Construction to design and build a $13.2-million expansion of the agency's Sounder layover facilities in Lakewood, Wash.
The improvements, which include adding a third track to the existing yard, will enable Sound Transit to store more Sounder train cars for its Lakewood-to-Seattle service as the agency prepares to add three round-trip trains to meet demand.
“Sounder commuter rail is more popular than ever,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “This fall we’re adding another weekday round trip between Lakewood, Tacoma, South King County and Seattle and two more in 2017.”
When complete in 2017, the expanded layover facility will have the capacity to store up to seven eight-car train sets. Six seven-car train sets are stored there today. When additional Sounder service starts this fall, crews will operate seven seven-car trains. The third track will be finished by December to accommodate storage for new passenger cars being delivered in 2016 and 2017.
Other elements of the expansion include permanent office space and parking for crew members and new fencing, guard booths and surveillance systems for added yard security. Enhanced wayside power, air, water, fire protection and upgraded yard lighting will reduce energy use and support nighttime train cleaning.
Voters approved the additional trains and Sounder Yard Expansion in the 2008 Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. The new round trips require placing additional train sets into service. The existing layover facility is at capacity and must be expanded to allow for storage of additional equipment. Nine new Sounder train cars will begin arriving late this fall.
