Construction continues behind a full Lynnwood Transit Center parking lot Wednesday in Lynnwood. Parking spaces will shift throughout the year to make room for work on the light rail station. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Construction continues behind a full Lynnwood Transit Center parking lot Wednesday in Lynnwood. Parking spaces will shift throughout the year to make room for work on the light rail station. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Early light rail station preparations under way in Lynnwood

Parking spaces at the Lynnwood Transit Center park and ride are moving around, but numbers steady.

LYNNWOOD — Preparations for Snohomish County’s first light rail stations are under way.

In January, parking spaces shifted at the Lynnwood Transit Center to make room for construction of the Sound Transit Lynnwood City Center station set to open in 2024. Other parking relocation is expected for up to 14 months.

“In the meantime, people driving up and down I-5 will see all kinds of things happening,” Sound Transit spokesperson John Gallagher said.

The major work visible, after about 5,300 trees were cleared to make way last year, will be drilled shaft installation for the elevated portions of the rail line.

None of the 1,368 spots were sacrificed. They were moved about a block north between 44th and 46th avenues, south of 200th Street SW.

The number of spaces will remain throughout the year even as their location shifts for light rail work.

That should come as a relief to the commuters who fill the park-and-ride lots every weekday at 20100 48th Ave. W.

“Anybody who goes there at 10 o’clock can tell you there aren’t a lot left,” Gallagher said.

Parking at the Lynnwood Transit Center will shift throughout the year so crews can work on the construction of the Lynnwood City Center light rail station. It’s set to open in 2024, and a parking garage with 1,500 parking stalls will open a year before that. (Sound Transit)

Parking at the Lynnwood Transit Center will shift throughout the year so crews can work on the construction of the Lynnwood City Center light rail station. It’s set to open in 2024, and a parking garage with 1,500 parking stalls will open a year before that. (Sound Transit)

In 2022 before the Lynnwood City Center light rail station begins service, a 1,500-stall parking garage will open.

The Lynnwood Transit Center serves 19 bus routes, the most of any in Snohomish County. None of its routes were affected by the parking lot work.

“Currently the only impacts are on parking location,” Community Transit spokesperson Nashika Stanbro said in an email. “There are infrequent road closures and other construction items that may impact bus service, but Sound Transit does not currently have any in place.”

Between 47,000 and 55,000 passengers are projected to use the Lynnwood station within two years of opening, according to Sound Transit. That ridership would be higher than any of its other stations.

Development is springing up around the future station. The proposed Northline Village would have 1,370 housing units, 4,700 parking spots and 170,000 square feet of retail.

During a groundbreaking ceremony in September, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said more than 119,000 Snohomish County residents commute to Seattle and beyond daily. According to U.S. Census data, 55% of Snohomish County residents work in a different county.

Light rail is a traffic-free way of getting around the I-5 corridor. The Snohomish County extension won’t be at-grade with road vehicles, Gallagher said. That scenario has led to issues for the line in south Seattle.

Trains are scheduled to arrive every four to six minutes during peak times to move riders from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle in less than half an hour.

There will be four stations from Northgate, including a pair in Shoreline and one in Mountlake Terrace. The ride from Mountlake Terrace to downtown Bellevue is set at 48 minutes.

“Community Transit’s plan is really to terminate service heading south at Lynnwood, then people just hop on light rail,” Gallagher said. “We’re anticipating a lot of folks will also be driving just as far as Lynnwood.”

Sound Transit recommends commuters consider other lots with open spaces at the Edmonds Park & Ride or the temporary lot located at 23120 56th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace.

Ben Watanabe: bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3037. Twitter: @benwatanabe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Guests stand around on the balcony at Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo, Wa. 

 (Blue Rose Photography LLC)
Mukilteo to host open houses for EMS levy

The two open houses are scheduled for October. Voters will decide whether to approve the levy lid lift in November.

Traffic moves along Bowdoin Way past Yost Park on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new online tool could aid in local planning to increase tree coverage

The map, created by Washington Department of Natural Resources and conservation nonprofit American Forests, illustrates tree canopy disparities across the state.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish PUD preps for more state home electrification funding

The district’s home electrification rebate program distributed over 14,000 appliances last year with Climate Commitment funds.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Everett in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
One person dead in single-vehicle crash on Wednesday in Everett

One man died in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning… Continue reading

A firefighter moves hazard fuel while working on the Bear Gulch fire this summer. Many in the wildland fire community believe the leadership team managing the fire sent crews into an ambush by federal immigration agents. (Facebook/Bear Gulch Fire 2025)
Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid

Wildfire veterans believe top officials on the fire sent their crews into an ambush.

More frequent service coming for Community Transit buses

As part of a regular update to its service hours, the agency will boost the frequencies of its Swift lines and other popular routes.

More than $1 million is available for housing-related programs in Snohomish County, and the Human Services Department is seeking applications. (File photo)
Applicants sought for housing programs in Snohomish County

More than $1 million is available for housing-related programs in… Continue reading

x
Edmonds to host town halls for levy ballot measure

In November, Edmonds residents will vote on a $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to help address the city’s budget crisis.

South Everett high school hopes to add IB program

Similar to AP classes, International Baccalaureate courses are rigorous with the opportunity for students to earn college credit.

Snohomish County Council recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

‘Cultural leaders’ celebrated with music, recognition and hope for future generations.

Photo provided by City of Snohomish
An aerial image of the annexation area. SR-9 is on the left side and US-2 can be seen at an angle in the upper right.
Snohomish North Lake annex approved by the city

City staff attempted to address the public’s concerns before voting. Next is a county council public hearing.

Everett
Everett police arrest couple on suspicion of trafficking a minor

Investigators said couple had seven to nine women as young as 13 years old working with them.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.