LYNNWOOD—In just 48 hours Sound Transit is going to make history by bringing Lynnwood Link light rail across county lines uniting both King and Snohomish counties with reliable, cost-efficient public transit.
The 8.5-mile extension adds two stations in Shoreline, a station in Mountlake Terrace, and a station in the Lynnwood City Center—just a part of Sound Transit’s expansion that will eventually connect South Snohomish County to the city of Everett.
The Lynnwood Link extension increases the light rail system from 39 stations and 35 miles of track to 53 stations and 62 miles of track with trains running every 8 minutes during peak hours. Sound Transit expects approximately 50,000 people will use the Lynnwood Link daily.
“This is going to be a revelation for so many people who have been sitting in traffic on Interstate 5 for so many years,” said Dow Constantine, King County Executive. “Tens of thousands more people will now have access to job centers, to education, to local services, and destinations regionally like SeaTac Airport, the stadiums, and other venues and adventures across the central Puget Sound region.
The Link light rail is not just about improving transportation in Western Washington, Constantine continued, it’s about improving general livability, the evidence of which can be seen by the several active constructions sites lining the tracks—the future sites of over 10,000 new apartment units within walking distance of the new rail system, whose residents will take advantage of leveraging the transportation system’s investments. On Sound Transit property alone, there have been a total of 3,300 new living options built, the majority of which (2,200) are classified as affordable housing.
In fact, Housing Hope plans to build an additional 160 new affordable homes directly next to the Lynnwood City Center station, three quarters of which will serve larger families (three-to-four-bedroom units) which is in desperate need for the region.
Officials also said that light rail will reduce future carbon emissions by encouraging fewer cars on the interstate creating a cleaner and greener environment for the surrounding areas.
Though construction of Lynnwood Link involved removing some trees, Sound Transit planted some 15,000 trees, nearly three times as many as it had to remove. The agency will maintain the newly planted trees along the alignment for up to 13 years, greatly improving their survival rates.
“It is truly exciting,” Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman told the Lynnwood Times. “Watching it all come together and actually work the way it is supposed to, is super exciting… As an engineer it is exciting to see this kind of civil infrastructure project happen… It proves we can do these things.”
The project is the culmination of 15 years of hard work. Voters approved the Link light rail system initially back in 1996, which included service from SeaTac airport to the University of Washington in Seattle, with a Northgate extension dependent on funding. Voters then approved Sound Transit’s 15-year program in 2008 which included the extension to Lynnwood and east to Bellevue/Redmond, and in 2016 approved extending light rail north to Everett and south all the way down to Tacoma by 2044.
“This project connects King County and Snohomish County in a way that’s it’s never been connected before. We all know the problems of driving on I-5 but here you can use light rail and have an easy, safe, convenient ride that is seamless in connecting the two counties,” Sparrman told the Lynnwood Times.
On Tuesday, August 27, Mayors, City Council members, and legislatures were invited to board the Lynnwood Link light rail extension for the first time and a day later, Wednesday, August 28, the ride was open to members of the press. Joining them on their ride was King County Executive Dow Constantine, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman, and several project leaders.
“When I look at this magnificent station and facility, there’s a story behind every panel, every stairway, every plate – the people who have put this together from conceiving of the idea in the first place, the design, procurement, and construction – an amazing amount of effort and devotion went into make what this is today,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This is the jumping off point to the future and it really is the spine of not only transportation but commercial development.”
Lynnwood’s City Center light rail station will have 1,670 free parking spaces for commuters with an additional 688 parking spaces at the Mountlake Terrace station, and 500 parking spaces at each of the two Shoreline stations.
Projected travel times from Lynnwood to Westlake in downtown Seattle is 28 minutes; to University District Station is 18 minutes; and SeaTac Airport is 65 minutes all at the flat rate of $3.
As far as security goes, Sound Transit is committed to ensuring riders have a safe trip. It currently contracts with Allied Security and law enforcement agencies providing 550 commissioned security guards within its system who will be working around the clock during the train’s regular operations from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays. Security will also be stationed during nonoperational hours to protect facilities.
Fare Ambassadors will check passengers for proof of payment at Link stations. They will also help new riders navigate the rail system. Elevators to the platform are available for those with ADA needs.
Artwork done by Preston Singletary, Claudia Fitch, David Franklin, a hummingbird, a kitchen window, and artistic yet functioning streetlamps, adorn the station as passengers trickle in to load their Orca cards with fare and board the train to whatever destination awaits.
The art installments are part of Sound Transit’s commitment to public art, dedicating 1% of their construction budget for public artwork and other large projects. The public art pieces were officially unveiled during a ceremony on Tuesday, August 13.
Beginning Friday, August 30, when the Lynnwood light rail station officially opens, Sound Transit will be transitioning to a flat fare system of $3 per adult rider on its Link 1 and 2, no matter the distance traveled, so no need to tap your Orca card when getting off the train any longer. Low-income fares and senior discounts of just $1 are also available. Riders can even use the Transit Go app to pay their fare so no need for an Orca Card. All riders using the app will have to do is show their paid fare to one of the many Fare Ambassadors patrolling the trains directly from their phone.
This year’s Lynnwood Link light rail station opening is just one of many things to come for Sound Transit’s light rail. Next year the transportation authority plans to open light rail extension to Federal Way and complete its east link to Bellevue.
Changes to Community Transit Routes to align with Sound Transit Centers
Community Transit is making major changes and improvements to bus service on September 14. The changes come two weeks after Sound Transit’s Link light rail 1 Line extends to Snohomish County. It’s not too early for people to plan their new commute or explore new ways to travel by transit. Trip planning tools (below) are now available to help people get ready for September 14.
What to expect on September 14:
- Riders should check for schedule updates since there are changes on most routes for more frequent and reliable service.
- Commuter routes to Northgate and Seattle will be eliminated and replaced with new express and local routes that connect to light rail. Swift Blue Line is also extending south to connect to the Shoreline North/185th light rail station.
- There will be more bus service running more often, including on weekends.
Simplified bus fares start September 1 — $2.50 for all adult fares, $1.25 discounted fares for those who qualify, and kids 18 and under ride free. Using an ORCA card is the easiest way to pay.
Riders should take a few steps now to get ready for September 14:
- Check Maps & Schedules on Community Transit’s website to view the Sept. 14 preview schedules.
- Use the Plan My Trip tool to build a customized trip plan any time. Be sure to set the arrival or departure date to Sept. 14 or later.
- Visit the Service Change web page to see maps and videos for changing routes.
- Contact Customer Care at riders@commtrans.org or (425) 353-RIDE (7433) for personalized trip planning or printed materials.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
