Sound Transit marks halfway point in Lynwood Link construction

Nov. 24, 2021
The milestone occurred two years after construction began and as stakeholders aim for a 2024 opening date for the extension.

Construction of the Lynnwood Link project, which will extend Sound Transit’s Link light-rail 8.5 miles into Snohomish County, reached the 50 percent completion mark. Groundbreaking on the project began two years ago and the construction milestone puts the project on pace to open in 2024.

"In just two years, riders will be able to avoid some of the worst highway congestion in the nation and enjoy reliable trips to their destination," said Sound Transit Vice Chair and Everett City Council member Paul Roberts. "Because Sound Transit is at the national forefront of operating carbon-free transit, riding Lynnwood Link will be the environmentally friendly way to get around the region."

The Lynnwood Link extension includes four stations and is part of a large transit build out that will more than double the length of the region’s light-rail system. The Lynnwood Link is one of three light-rail projects, including Federal Way and Downtown Redmond, that Sound Transit is scheduled to open in 2024. Once service begins, Sound Transit plans for trains to operate every four to six minutes during weekday peak hours with a 20-minute connection between Lynnwood Transit Center and the University of Washington, 27-minute rides to downtown Seattle and 60-minute rides to Sea-Tac Airport.

"The opening of Lynnwood Link will be a transformative event for the city of Lynnwood," said Sound Transit Board Member and Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith. "Reaching the half-way mark for construction is a reminder that the start of service will be here in just a few short years."

The $3.26-billion project is being constructed by Stacy & Witbeck/Kiewit/Hoffman JV and Skanska L300 JV. Funding for the project includes up to $1.17 billion from a Full Funding Grant Agreement executed with the Federal Transit Administration through the Capital Investment Grants program.

Additionally, Sound Transit executed a Master Credit Agreement through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program with the U.S Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau that helped finance several Sound Transit projects. In August 2021, Sound Transit was approved for a new TIFIA loan package that refinanced the existing loans for five projects, including the Lynnwood Link extension, and added the Downtown Redmond Link Extension. It’s estimated the new loan package will save regional taxpayers between $500 million through lower interest costs.

"The remarkable progress we’re making is visible daily for anyone driving along I-5," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "Considering that most of the work to date has been done during the pandemic, this milestone is a testament to the commitment of the project’s workforce."

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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Sept. 26, 2013