Kirkland to be part of new transit system

  • 2016-07-06
A final Sound Transit 3 ballot measure was recently unanimously approved by the Sound Transit Board to send to residents to vote on in November.

As the population in the Seattle area is estimated to grow to 800,000 people by 2040, the new plan includes construction of a network of 62 miles of light rail in the region. Thirty-seven new areas would have access to the rail with new stations.

Everett would be one city to be served by the new system. New extensions would be built to Federal Way, Ballard, Tacoma, and West Seattle. According to the Sound Transit Board, all of these lines would open several years earlier than the draft plan, which the Board released in March, called for.

Light rail would also be built between South Kirkland, Bellevue, and Issaquah. There would be a new bus rapid transit service from Lynnwood to Burien. The bus schedule would be updated so that buses every 10 minutes during rush hour.

The anticipated cost of the plan is $53.8bn to be funded through MVET and property taxes, and new sales approved by voters. The revenue from an adult riding the new system would be about $17 a month or $200 annually.

The Sound Transit Board might consider the use of various printing services to produce materials with more details about the transit plan so voters can make informed decisions in November.