Thanks to regional voters, we are undertaking an ambitious mass transit system expansion, which will provide fast, reliable connections to residential and job centers throughout the region. With the Everett Link Extension, we are planning to add 16 miles of light rail and six new stations, plus one provisional (unfunded) station, with the route traveling through the communities of Lynnwood, unincorporated Snohomish County and Everett. We are embarking on our planning process later this year, where you'll have an opportunity to share your input on what we should consider as we expand light rail in Snohomish County. Get a jump start on learning about the project and stay tuned for future opportunities to get involved! You know your neighborhood best and we're listening.
In order to support our growing fleet, we also need space for a new Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) to store, maintain and repair trains for the expanding light rail system. OMF North would be the fourth facility of this kind under the system expansion plan and will require a large tract of land, about 60-70 acres, near the light rail line.
We encourage you to visit our interactive project website and share it with your family, friends, neighbors and people in your network who may be interested in this project.
As part of our initial planning efforts, we are developing a Community Advisory Group (CAG), which will help inform the development of routes and station locations over the next 10 months. We are looking for about 20 individuals who represent areas throughout the project corridor who can lend their insights and knowledge of their communities to help shape light rail expansion in Snohomish County.
The CAG will represent all aspects of communities along the project corridor, including residents, community organizations, businesses and more. We are seeking members who can provide valuable insight on behalf of their communities as our planning efforts get underway. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in the CAG, please fill out an interest form online or give us a call at 206-370-5533. Interest forms are accepted through Oct. 18, 2021.
The steep rise in real estate and construction costs in the region have driven up cost estimates for future transit expansion projects. In response, the Sound Transit Board adopted a realignment plan that will serve as a framework for delivering agency system expansions as rapidly as possible.
Our target schedule for extending light rail to Everett is 2037. We are working to achieve this target, including working to close a forecasted affordability gap of approximately $600 million. To reduce or eliminate this gap, we are seeking to increase funding and support at the local, state and national levels and, working with partners and communities, to reduce project costs. If it is not possible to close the gap, current financial assumptions reflect it will be affordable to open service to SW Everett by 2037 and to Everett Station in 2041.
As design work advances, we'll continually refine cost estimates for this and other projects in planning, drawing on recommendations from an independent reviewer. Sound Transit's finance department, with the guidance of outside economists, will regularly update revenue and inflation projections, with hopes that recent improvements to economic and revenue forecasts continue.
Expanding light rail in Snohomish County is new for many community members and we are trying to reach as many people as possible early on. Your voice matters and we hope that you stay engaged with this project as it moves forward. Follow us on social media @SoundTransit, subscribe and forward email updates like this to family, friends, neighbors and your community!
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