CEO Report: Sounder Mudslides

Joni Earl
CEO Sound Transit

By Joni Earl, CEO Sound Transit

Once again, thanks to our regular Sounder North Line riders for their patience during another mudslide this week. Train service between Mukilteo and Seattle resumed Tuesday morning and was up and running to Everett Tuesday afternoon after being out all day Monday.

Mudslides have knocked out North Line service in record numbers this winter and we’re closely following the efforts of the BNSF Railway Co., which own the tracks, and the state Department of Transportation to identify the root causes of slides along this 35-mile corridor. The state DOT recently received a $16 million federal grant to work with BNSF to address some of the highest slide-prone areas.

The topic of mudslides is on the agenda for next Thursday’s Sound Transit Board meeting.