Lynnwood Link light rail extension in Washington state to receive $100 million

With Congressional approval of the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations Bill, Sound Transit will receive $100 million in federal funds for its Lynnwood Link Extension that will begin construction next year.

The Lynnwood Link Extension aims to give passengers a fast, frequent and reliable connection through some of the worst traffic congestion in Washington state. This extension builds four new light rail stations from Northgate to Lynnwood and passengers will have frequent, reliable service between south Snohomish County and the University of Washington, downtown Seattle, the Eastside, the airport and more.

“Communities in Washington state and across our country deserve a federal government that not only partners with them on infrastructure projects, but also one that gives transit agencies the certainty they need to carry out long-term projects,” said Senator Murray, a senior member of the Senate committee that oversees transportation funding. “I’m glad Congress was able to come together on this bipartisan deal to keep current projects on track, and I look forward to continuing to fight for investments that allow communities to plan, create jobs, improve public transportation, and move our economy forward.”

The funding is the first instalment of a potential $1.174 billion full funding grant agreement for the project, which in 2023 will extend light rail service from Northgate to Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. The President is expected to sign the bill into law this week.

“We’re hitting ‘go’ on a massive capital investment program that will give our citizens a real way out of ever worsening congestion. Federal funding will continue to be a critically important contributor to our success,” Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff added. “This first grant instalment for Lynnwood Link will help us finally deliver light rail to Snohomish County and get thousands of daily riders off of the traffic on I-5.”

Construction on the 8.5-mile long light rail extension is scheduled to begin in 2018.