Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Lynnwood Link

Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen were among the many dignitaries on hand to break ground for the Link light rail project at Lynnwood Transit Center Sept. 3.

Community Transit CEO Emmett Heath spoke of the preparation this agency is doing to integrate local bus service with the regional light rail system when it opens in 2024, and also the partnership with Sound Transit to keep riders informed and engaged while construction is underway between now and then.

Construction begins in earnest at the Lynnwood Transit Center later this month, and work on the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center light rail station is expected to start in October.

FTA Administrator Visits Community Transit

On August 26, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams and FTA staff from Washington, D.C. and Seattle visited Community Transit and took a ride on Swift Green Line. The FTA provided Community Transit with a $43.19 million federal grant for the project.

Community Transit staff also showed Williams and her team the Seaway Transit Center, highlighting the partnership with Boeing, Everett Transit, Sound Transit and King County Metro.

U.S. Rep. DelBene Tours Swift Orange Line Route

On September 3, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene took a tour of the planned Swift Orange Line route, the agency's third bus rapid transit line.

The tour highlighted the connection the Orange Line will provide to Link light rail in Lynnwood in 2024, as well as expanded access to Edmonds Community College, Alderwood Mall, Mill Creek Town Center, parks and trails, and many other county and community services.

One stop along the tour included the Sno-Isle Mill Creek Library, which is already accessible via our Swift Green Line route and will also be served through the planned Orange Line route.

The visit also included a ride on Swift Green Line and a stop at the Seaway Transit Center.

Swift Green Line Awarded Regional Honor

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) honored Community Transit with a VISION 2040 Award for successfully launching Swift Green Line, the second bus rapid transit line in Snohomish County. On Aug. 21, the award was presented to Community Transit CEO Emmett Heath, several of the agency's board members, and staff. 

“The Swift Green Line is an important transit connection for Paine Field and the new commercial terminal,” said Josh Brown, PSRC’s Executive Director. “It's also an excellent example of how we can do great things when we work with our partners.”

VISION 2040 is the PSRC’s guide for managing the region’s expected population growth of more than one million people by 2040. The awards recognize innovative projects like Swift Green Line and strategies that improve transportation access and mobility, connecting people to jobs and improving the quality of life for those in the central Puget Sound region.

Swift Green Line runs for 12 miles between the Canyon Park Park & Ride in Bothell and the new Seaway Transit Center near Boeing-Everett. The Green Line serves popular local destinations including Mill Creek Town Center, McCollum Park, and Paine Field Airport. The Green Line connects with the existing Swift Blue Line at Highway 99 and Airport Road, forming a high-capacity transit network in south Snohomish County. Swift service operates every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes nights and weekends.