Sound Transit leaders pass plan to keep expansion on track

The Sound Transit board today passed a plan to avoid massive delays in getting Light Rail to Everett and Tacoma but is still looking for the needed money to make it work.

Construction is underway, and Sound Transit Light Rail is on track to reach Lynnwood by 2024. But when it comes to reaching all the way north to Everett, higher costs and lower pandemic tax receipts had Sound Transit contemplating a six-year delay from 2036 to 2042.

“It’s a long ways away. And I didn’t realize it was going to be pushed out that far,” said Holly Pohland in downtown Everett.

Judy Matheson has operated a gift and gourmet shop for 31 years in Everett.

“It think it’s very important. I think it could have happened years ago, and it would have been wonderful,” she said.

Facing a shortfall upward of $6 billion, Sound Transit board members crafted a compromise to protect the projects in their counties while allowing other projects to stay on schedule.

“It’s vitally important that we connect Everett and Seattle and Tacoma clear out to Issaquah. And we really, build the entire system, finish the spine and get that done,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers.

The new plan passed today keeps Everett on schedule — but only if additional money can be found to close a $600 million shortfall.

Washington’s congressional delegation is pushing to get money in the federal infrastructure package, but it’s not there yet.

“So we are hopeful that we will get these large sums of money that will then provide us essentially pots of money that we can work with Sound Transit, to help build out, um, this incredibly important part of our infrastructure,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

Voters may be asked for more local tax money as well. A new poll from the Northwest Progressive Institute shows Seattle voters are overwhelmingly receptive to more taxes to speed up the expansion of Sound Transit.

An idea that has at least some support in Everett too.

“Really, I would pay anything or do anything to help it get here sooner. I don’t mind paying a tax, more of a tax to help it get here,” said Matheson.

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