5,000, five, and counting: Sound Transit still hearing concerns about tunnel construction

Sound Transit

Residents of the Chinatown-International District showed up in force at a recent public meeting held by Sound Transit to voice objection over a light-rail tunnel project that is planned to run through the neighborhood.

Sound Transit’s System Expansion Committee still voted to send to the Sound Transit Board a consideration of a Fourth Avenue shallow tunnel option on July 28. The language in the move, however, is still allowing officials to choose a location outside of the Chinatown-International District. Also included in the motion is a report to be delivered to the Board no later than February 2023 about more studies to be conducted and more public engagement.

The Seattle City Council also passed a resolution that instructs Sound Transit to more fully address the community’s concerns with existing alternatives. The Board, however, only needs to consider modifications to the Fourth and Fifth Avenue alternatives already on the table.

Community members want Sound Transit to bypass the Chinatown-International District all together.

Sound Transit has received over 5,000 comments about the project, and the agency has held five meetings to seek input from the community on environmental impact statement drafts. Sound Transit said it will respond to all concerns in the final environmental impact statement.

Read more articles on bridges/tunnels.