Sound Transit is closing in on completing studies of candidate projects for the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure planned for November 2016, including major regional transit options for expanding mass transit in East King County. Next up is a Sound Transit Board workshop on Dec. 4 where study results for projects across the region will be released.
The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle.
The completed studies will shed light on the benefits and costs, helping the board narrow in on which projects should be included in Sound Transit 3. In March, the Sound Transit Board is scheduled to release a draft system plan for public input.
Potential Redmond options that will come into greater focus with the completed study results include:
• Light rail from Overlake Transit Center to downtown Redmond: This project would extend East Link to downtown Redmond, along the route selected by the Sound Transit Board. The project would include stations and multi-modal access improvements at southeast Redmond and downtown Redmond.
• HCT (high-capacity transit) Study: Issaquah Highlands to Overlake via Sammamish, Redmond HCT: This study would look at the potential for a ballot measure subsequent to Sound Transit 3 to improve connections along the corridor from Issaquah Highlands to Overlake via Sammamish/Redmond.
“It is time for our region to respond to the rising demand for fast and reliable transit connections,” said Sound Transit Board member and Redmond Mayor John Marchione. “The work now underway sets the stage for important conversations about how to improve transit service in East King County. Service expansions will foster vibrant commercial and residential development around transit centers, and will support the Eastside’s continued growth as a dynamic, livable and economically thriving region.”
“East Link is ready to start construction and, in just a few years, will be providing fast and reliable transit options to East King County residents, including the fast-growing corridor between downtown Bellevue and Redmond,” said Sound Transit Board member and Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci. “But we can’t stop there. Our quality of life, economy and environment depend on expanding regional transit connections to multiple destinations on the Eastside. I am pleased to see Sound Transit hard at work on these studies that will help us pick the best projects to go to voters in November of 2016.”
“By 2040, our region will be home to a million more residents, many of whom will need to reach jobs and homes on the Eastside,” said Sound Transit Board member and Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler. “We know that businesses and citizens alike rank transportation and mobility solutions among the most important needs of our region. The work now underway will help move these solutions closer to reality.”
In June and July, Sound Transit received input from 70 jurisdictions and stakeholder organizations, nearly 25,000 online surveys, more than 1,000 letters and emails and testimony from community leaders. The input helped the Sound Transit Board finalize a list of candidate projects that are detailed on the soundtransit3.org website.
