LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Cars and buses both get caught in traffic.
Now, a way out of those jams is coming when Sound Transit opens the Link light rail extension to Lynnwood in 2024.
On Tuesday, a group of political leaders, including Gov. Jay Inslee and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, broke ground on the $2.9 billion project.
"When we build a regional system, we reduce greenhouse gases. We give people part of their lives back," said Everett City Councilman Paul Roberts.
During busy commute times, trains will leave Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline every four to six minutes.
The trip from Lynnwood to Downtown Seattle will take 27 minutes.
"I think seeing milestones like this will help people believe that what they've invested in is really coming true and it's going to be good for us," said Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith.
Light rail will change parts of Lynnwood, bringing more density and new apartments near train stations.
At Alderwood Mall, an old Sears is being demolished and will be replaced by new retail stores with housing on top.
An 18-story building, the second tallest in Snohomish County, is planned nearby.
"You're going to see lots of housing. You're going to see Lynnwood going up," Smith said.
The Lynnwood extension is part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot package that voters passed in 2008.
Extending light rail to Everett is funded by the 2016 Sound Transit 3 package.
It's not expected to open until 2036.
Click here for more information from Sound Transit.
More news from KIRO 7
- Fatality crash blocked all lanes of U.S. 101 on Monday at Thurston/Mason line
- Service dog vests sold at Washington State Fair stirring controversy
- ’I’m happy God gave me one more chance’: Kent man shows grace, gratitude after devastating fire
- Civil trial in fatal Amtrak derailment in Dupont begins Tuesday
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/04-25-2024/t_890b024e4146412fba10831bc7dfacf2_name_5as__Tesla_Autopilot_Ax_transfer_frame_0.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LYXELYCV5G7WBT7663ANY5MQFQ.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/IPIXRAQD4KXZGRHJ52HJAS7CAE.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/V4BXSALJL5CAFEJ5G6NIVRZCTA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/I4BCXKUVVJE4JJ5CGL2KGHAVXA.jpg)