Sound Transit seeks public input on future light rail routes; train, bus services

The Sound Transit Board on Thursday kicked off a public involvement campaign to decide what mass transit projects should be studied as the final candidates for a Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Thursday, June 4, 2015 2:44pm
  • News
Sound Transit officials want feedback on where to extend light rail in the future.

Sound Transit officials want feedback on where to extend light rail in the future.

The Sound Transit Board on Thursday kicked off a public involvement campaign to decide what mass transit projects should be studied as the final candidates for a Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure.

Community members throughout the fast-growing Puget Sound region can engage on ST3 priorities via an online survey, a new interactive website, public meetings and social media.

“Continued expansion of our successful transit system through ST3 is critical to keeping our people and our economy moving,” said Sound Transit Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine in a media release. “It’s a pivotal time at Sound Transit, and we invite our riders to be a part of it.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The board is seeking input on a draft list of projects to be considered possible candidates for the ST3 measure. After collecting input on the Draft Priority Projects List, the board will identify a final list of projects to be studied this fall. The results of those studies will support further narrowing by the board to shape a draft ST3 measure for public input in early 2016.

Potential projects emphasized so far by the board and earlier public input include but are not limited to building light rail extensions to Everett, Tacoma, downtown Redmond, Ballard and West Seattle, as well as bus rapid transit on I-405 and improving ST Express bus and Sounder commuter rail services and facilities.

An interactive ST3 website that went live Thursday – soundtransit3.org – offers a chance to learn more about regional transit benefits, explore potential projects, and take a survey through July 8.

Six public meetings around the region begin June 16:

Seattle: June 16, Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St.

Everett: June 18, Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave.

Redmond: June 23, Redmond Marriot, 7401 164th Ave. N.E.

Tacoma: June 24, Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway

Seattle (daytime): 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. June 25, Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St.

Federal Way: June 25, King County Aquatic Center, 650 S.W. Campus Dr.

Except the June 25 daytime meeting in Seattle, all of the meetings will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with presentations at 6 p.m.

For the ST3 measure to be considered by voters in November 2016, the state Legislature must first grant the region additional local revenue authority. Members of the Sound Transit Board are seeking $15 billion in new revenue authority and have emphasized it is critical for the Legislature to act on this and a statewide package of transportation investments before the current special session ends.

“The Puget Sound’s expected 30-percent population growth by 2040 will be equivalent to adding the populations of Tacoma, Seattle and Bellevue combined to our already congested transportation network,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “Before the Legislature adjourns we need the authority to meet the public’s strong demand for expanding our transportation system with more congestion-free travel options.”

The Sound Transit District is home to 50 cities and more than 40 percent of Washington’s population.

“Our region is home to 70 percent of our state’s economic activity and 97 percent of its congestion. Between 2010 and 2014 alone, congestion delays on I-5 nearly doubled,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts. “Expanding light rail will protect our economy by ensuring businesses want to locate and expand here. It will also help us control carbon emissions and pollution to our air and water.”

Over the past 14 years Sound Transit has developed a strong track record delivering mass transit investments. The University Link light rail extension, with new stations on Seattle’s Capitol Hill and at Husky Stadium, is on track to open in early 2016, six to nine months early and approximately $150 million under budget.

In 2016 Sound Transit is also on schedule for an early opening of an extension of Link one stop further south from the airport, to Angle Lake. In 2021 light rail service is scheduled to open to Northgate.

By 2023 Sound Transit is on track to extend service further north to Lynnwood, south to Kent/Des Moines and east to Redmond’s Overlake area. The extensions are expected to increase overall weekday ridership to more than 350,000 by 2030.

To complete an online survey, go to soundtransit3.org.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Meeker Middle School teacher receives state award

WEA recognizes Neeraj Agnihotri with Human and Civil Rights Award for Student Involvement

t
Protest against Trump, Musk draws hundreds in Covington

Rally on April 5 part of global protest in response to numerous actions by president

Cars drive northbound through the intersection of Southeast 192nd Street and 140th Avenue Southeast in Fairwood. An 18-year-old was driving over 100 mph southbound through this intersection on March 19, 2024 when his car hit a minivan, resulting in the deaths of one woman and three minors. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Kent man who killed four in Renton crash pleads guilty to all charges

Chase Jones faces up to 23 and a half years in prison. His sentencing is set for April 25.

File Photo
Kent City Council approves Stay Out of Drug Areas zone

Nine organizations signed letter opposing new ordinance as ‘not an effective option’

t
Slower is safer: Steps to increase traffic safety in South King County

11-mile corridor has a high number of collisions, many of them fatal.

t
Family starts GoFundMe page for Kent man killed in crash

Jose Ortiz, 55, died in March 28 collision; wife suffered serious injuries; police arrest driver of 2nd vehicle

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent Parks
Kent city leaders want bigger piece of county Parks Levy

Measure could go to voters in August; King County Council to consider levy this month

King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, King County
Man, 22, gets 20-year prison sentence for 2022 Kent killing

Drive-by shooting outside bar on Central Avenue took the life of 29-year-old Kent man

File Photo
Kent Police arrest man, 22, for arson, assaults against girlfriend

Allegedly set apartment on fire and repeatedly beat 19-year-old woman

t
Kent man, 56, dies in two-vehicle crash March 28 in Kent

Police arrest woman for investigation of vehicular homicide; collision at 94th Ave. S./S. 240th St.

File Photo, Kent Reporter
6-year-old boy drowns in pond on Kent’s East Hill

Child reportedly had autism and was drawn to the water on March 25, according to police

Valley Medical Center in Renton. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Layoffs at Valley Medical Center stem from loss of funding

101 nonunion employees were fired March 25 from Renton hospital that also serves Kent.