Deal done: Sound Transit snags $1.2B from feds for Lynnwood
SEATTLE — Sound Transit learned Monday it will receive nearly $1.2 billion from the federal government to help bring light rail service to Lynnwood, easing worries about a project that’s already behind schedule.
The Federal Transit Administration signed off on a long-sought grant and sent the agreement to Congress for a required 30-day review after which dollars can begin flowing to Sound Transit for use on Lynnwood Link Extension.
The news elicited relief from Sound Transit leaders. The agreement had been in the works since 2013 but in doubt the past two years as President Donald Trump didn’t include funding for it in his mass transit agency budget.
Uncertainty surrounding how much federal funding would be available pushed Sound Transit leaders to reset the start date for Lynnwood service from 2023 to 2024. Officials also have blamed the slower timeline on cost increases.
“It is a great relief to know the plan to get light rail to Lynnwood will be fulfilled,” said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. “People of Snohomish County have been promised light rail and we’ll finally be in a position to deliver.”
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/deal-done-sound-transit-snags-1-2b-from-feds-for-lynnwood/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=9a23d8b8b9-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-9a23d8b8b9-228635337
