Update on Northgate-Shoreline-Lynnwood Link extension

Light rail train - Photo courtesy Sound Transit

By Brian Doennebrink

A week from Thursday, Sound Transit’s Board of Directors takes up the issue of which stations and alignments to study in and near to the City of Shoreline. However, the transit agency’s Capital Committee narrowed the list overall, recommending further study on the following potential light rail route and station alternatives affecting Shoreline at its meeting last week:

• At-grade/elevated to NE 145th and NE 185th east side (of I-5) stations
• Mostly-elevated to NE 145th and NE 185th east side stations
• At-grade/elevated to NE 130th, NE 155th, and NE 185th east side stations
• Mostly-evevated to NE 130th, NE 155th, and NE 185th east side stations
• Per amendment by King Councilmember Larry Phillips, adding study of NE 175th east side as an alternative to NE 185th
• Per amendment by Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin, adding a combination of NE 130th, NE 145th, and NE 185th

Beyond Shoreline, the committee recommended continue study of staying on the east side of I-5 to either Mountlake Terrace Transit Center to the median, the west side, or the east side; looking at 220th as a future station location; and approaching Lynnwood via 52nd Avenue West to either a 200th Street or Lynnwood Transit Center station terminus or staying close to I-5 to the transit center.

According to Sound Transit, each of the potential locations in Shoreline "have issues." Further, "the exact stations, alignment and profiles will be determined in the next few years following the issuance of a Final EIS and Board approval. The agency has been evaluating the potential station and route alternatives for the last several months. Before construction begins, Sound Transit intends to apply for federal funding to help pay for the extension. Trains are expected to be running in 2023."

On Monday, April 16, the Shoreline City Council discussed development around potential light rail stations.