Enhanced Service Zones in Seattle area would target areas for light-rail expansion, project acceleration

Written by RT&S Staff
image description
Sound Transit East Link Tunnel excavation.

If residents in the Seattle area want light-rail projects to be executed a little quicker they may have to be faster on the draw with their pocketbook.

It would be entirely up to them, as voters will get the chance to weigh in on a measure just passed by the Washington State Senate. The move would give Sound Transit the authority to accelerate existing plans, while also propose and pay for transit improvements beyond the agency’s planned expansion. The measure is expected to be on the next ballot.

Sound Transit would create Enhanced Service Zones consisting of subsets of regions where the agency operates. Boundaries must incorporate at the very least a city or town, but they also can be formed to include multiple municipalities and unincorporated areas.

If the Sound Transit board proposes projects for improved service or an accelerated timeline, the action would be paid for by increasing car tab fees or raising commercial parking taxes. However, only residents in the zones would have to pay the extra cost.

Sound Transit is currently working on projects as part of a massive expansion that will not be complete until 2036 at the earliest. The agency moves projects along according to the money it has on hand. An influx of cash would help the process.

Read more articles on light rail.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Media