This is the first in the series of updates on the North Link Project that I talked about earlier. You can sign up below (or here) to get these in your email too.
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This is the first in a series of regular North Link project updates that will be distributed electronically during final design and construction. Would you like to receive this newsletter via e-mail? |
What is North Link?
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North Link is a key part of the regional mass transit system approved by voters in 2008. The 4.3-mile light rail extension includes stations serving the University District, Roosevelt and Northgate neighborhoods. Most of the North Link route will be underground, with the tracks transitioning to the surface to serve the elevated Northgate station.
North Link is projected to add over 60,000 daily riders to the Link system, bringing total daily ridership to 176,000 in 2030. Construction of North Link is expected to begin in 2012.
Sound Transit hosted a public meeting on June 16, 2010 at Roosevelt High School to discuss current plans and next steps for the North Link project. Community members provided initial feedback on construction impacts, station access, portal locations (see below), bike storage, and other topics.
Click here to view the meeting presentation.
Final design getting started
Final design of the North Link light rail project is getting underway this fall. During this multi-year process, Sound Transit will work in close partnership with the community as project architects and engineers define what the stations will look like, determine how the stations, tracks, and tunnels will be built, and determine how construction work will be phased over time. As part of final design, several contract packages will be created for the construction of the tunnels, stations, and other elements of the North Link project.
The Sound Transit Art Program, STart, will also begin work to select station artists.
Early work will include geotechnical investigations primarily in public right of way along the North Link route. Neighbors will be notified in advance of this work.
North Link schedule
Sound Transit will work with the community throughout the final design process and will seek public input at key design milestones. The chart below shows Sound Transit’s current project schedule, though it is likely to be refined as the final design process gets underway.
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Portal location change
Most of the North Link route will be underground, with the tracks transitioning to the surface to serve the elevated Northgate station. The opening where the tunnels exit the ground is called a portal.
The portal between the Roosevelt and Northgate stations was initially to be located alongside Interstate 5 at about Northeast 75th Street. Sound Transit expects to reduce construction impacts and save $5 – $10 million by moving the tunnel portal about a half mile to the north at Northeast 85th Street. By staying underground until that point, Sound Transit avoids the impacts associated with digging cut-and-cover tunnels under three major I-5 bridges. This change will also provide a way to more efficiently sequence and manage the tunneling work.
Click here for more information about the portal.
Proposed agency budget maintains North Link project
Like every other government agency, Sound Transit’s revenues have been significantly impacted by the national recession. Over the coming weeks, the Sound Transit Board will identify priorities for major investments and consider options that achieve the overarching goal of maximum public benefit and maintaining regional equity.
The good news is that most projects already in or near construction (which includes North Link) will continue to move forward. The Board recently approved funding for North Link final design, and current budget discussions call for North Link light rail service to begin within one year of the 2020 opening date that was anticipated as part of the regional mass transit system approved by voters in 2008.
A final 2011 agency budget is scheduled for adoption in December, along with a Transportation Improvement Program and Service Implementation Plan that guide investments beyond 2011.
Click here for more information about Sound Transit 2 project and service realignment.
Mass transit from Northgate to Lynnwood
Sound Transit is also preparing to extend mass transit from Northgate to Lynnwood, which voters approved as part of the Sound Transit 2 Plan in 2008. The North Corridor High Capacity Transit (HCT) project will connect to and build on the Link light rail line.
Click here to learn more about the North Corridor High Capacity Transit project.
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