Sound Transit is helping to finance several projects around the region to improve transit mobility and service
Working with the Washington State Department of Transportation, cities, counties, and partner transit agencies, Sound Transit contributes funds to help finance projects that will improve transit mobility and service around the Puget Sound region.
First Hill Streetcar Project
The First Hill Streetcar project is 2-mile streetcar connector serving Seattle's Capitol Hill, First Hill and International District areas with connections to Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail.
Sound Transit will partner with the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to deliver this project. Sound Transit will provide funding for the project while SDOT manages the design and construction. Learn more about the First Hill Streetcar >>>
85th Street Corridor and Related Improvements - Kirkland
The Kirkland Transit Enhancements project includes a variety of improvements along ST Express Route 540 to increase access, reliability and operating speed. Learn more about the 85th Street Corridor improvements >>>
Rainier Avenue Improvements
This project will improve transit mobility by adding north and southbound business access and transit lanes on Rainier Avenue from South Grady Way to South 2nd Street in Renton. These lanes will be used by ST Express bus routes 560 and 566. Learn more about the Rainier Avenue Improvement project >>>
SW 27th Street/ Strander Boulevard Connection
This project will provide a critical four/five-lane arterial that will serve as a connection between West Valley Highway (SR-181) and East Valley Road, as well as an arterial connection to SR-167 from the south. Sound Transit is contributing to the initial phase of this project which is construction of an underpass (bridge) at the BNSF tracks & Strander Blvd. Learn more about the Strander Boulevard Connection here>>
On Nov. 4, 2008, Puget Sound area voters approved the Sound Transit 2 Plan, which included additional contributions and partnerships. More information about these projects will be available as plans are developed.
Transit Center and Parking Garage - Bothell
Sound Transit will contribute $5 million to help fund a transit center/park-and-ride project in the vicinity of SR527/Bothell Way NE and NE 185th Street in the downtown Bothell area. The project will improve rider access to transit service in Bothell and the SR522 corridor.
BNSF Corridor - East King County
Sound Transit will invest a maximum contribution of $50 million dollars in this project; funds may be used in connection with rail passenger development and associated work undertaken by other local governments and public agencies for future commuter rail service on an existing BNSF line.
Tacoma Link Extension Contribution
This project provides funds to support an extension of the exisitng 1.6-mile Tacoma Link light rail line in downtown Tacoma. Sound Transit, in collaboration with the City of Tacoma and Pierce Transit, will conduct a study of project alternatives to determine a preferred location, design and operation for the extension. The study will also produce a project financing plan that will identify committed and potential funding sources. It is anticipated that some project funding will come from the study partners and possibly other project stakeholders. The study will be underway in 2010.
Parking expansion - Burien Transit Center
The Burien Transit Center Expansion project is a Sound Transit 2 project that, in partnership with King County, increased parking at the County-owned transit center from 334 to 503 spaces. The project constructed a 462-space parking garage (which includes an initial 10 spaces for charging electric vehicles) and an adjoining 41-space surface parking lot on the northern half of the existing park-and-ride lot. By consolidating parking expansion into a garage, the project also made the remainder of the park-and-ride lot available for future development through King County DOT's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program.
Sound Transit made a one-time, fixed contribution of $14,730,000 toward the project. Sound Transit has been granted an easement for continued future use of the new parking facility.
King County managed project construction, and is responsible for all ongoing parking operations and maintenance. The project opened in August, 2011.
