Tree and brush clearing continues in Mountlake Terrace along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Tree and brush clearing continues in Mountlake Terrace along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After trees fall, Lynnwood light rail construction looms

Watch for major work along I-5 after Sound Transit approved $1.5 billion in construction contracts.

SEATTLE — As crews continued to clear trees from the I-5 shoulders, Sound Transit’s governing board took huge steps Thursday toward filling that space with Lynnwood-bound light-rail trains.

The agency’s board of directors authorized their CEO to sign two major construction contracts totaling more than $1.5 billion. The agreements cover different legs of the future rail line from Northgate to south Snohomish County. If all goes as planned, Sound Transit’s Link trains will carry riders along that route within five years.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, who serves on the transit agency’s board. “I think people have been noticing the trees coming down. You’ll start to see over the next year the actual guideways being built.”

The route from Northgate to Lynnwood extends 8.5 miles. Crews this spring began cutting down an estimated 5,300 trees along that path, denuding the green buffers between the freeway and neighbors. Recent work there has included building demolition and moving utilities as well.

One of the contracts approved Thursday would build out the guideway — the structures underneath the tracks — and stations from just south of the King-Snohomish County line up to the Lynnwood Transit Center. That work would go to Skanska Constructors L300.

This rendering shows the future Lynnwood City Center light-rail station. (HNTB/Jacobs)

This rendering shows the future Lynnwood City Center light-rail station. (HNTB/Jacobs)

The $817 million contract calls for 2.3 miles of elevated guideway and another 1.4 miles of track at grade. It also includes light rail stations and a garage at the Lynnwood Transit Center.

“The city of Lynnwood is already being transformed,” Somers said at Thursday’s transit meeting.

The city’s downtown area has seen a proliferation of high-density building in anticipation of light rail. New high-capacity bus lines are being planned to connect to the transit center.

The other contract approved Thursday went to a joint venture known as Stacy and Witbeck, Kiewit, Hoffman. The $789 million agreement would extend the light-rail network from Northgate to NE 200th Street in Shoreline, just south of the I-5 interchange at Ballinger Way. It includes about 1.5 miles of elevated guideway and 3 miles of at-grade guideways, with stations and garages at the two Shoreline stops.

Heavy equipment is parked in former residential lots along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Heavy equipment is parked in former residential lots along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The 13 Sound Transit Board members who participated in Thursday’s meeting all supported the two contracts, along with a related budget transfer.

“I’d like to express my concerns with this project, but I don’t have any,” said Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling, one of the board’s three Snohomish County representatives.

The overall Lynnwood Link budget stands at $2.77 billion. Officials said they’ve maintained a comfortable cushion of $273 million in contingency after the most recent contracts.

Last year, finances were strained for the Lynnwood light-rail route. Sound Transit staff shaved project costs through moves such as shrinking parking stall widths by a half-foot and making aesthetic sacrifices. A garage at NE 185th Street in Shoreline was moved to the east side of the freeway to save money.

Sound Transit also managed to lock in nearly $1.2 billion in federal grants. That money had been in doubt because President Donald Trump’s administration didn’t include it in their mass transit agency budget.

Tree and brush clearing continues in Mountlake Terrace along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Tree and brush clearing continues in Mountlake Terrace along I-5 in preparation for the light extension to Lynnwood slated to be completed in 2024. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Light rail between Northgate and Seattle’s University District is scheduled to start service in 2021.

Once Link trains are running to Lynnwood, riders should be able to catch one every four to six minutes. A trip from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle is expected to take about 28 minutes.

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Sept. 3 at the Lynnwood Transit Center.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@herald net.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Sound Transit may add overnight bus service between Everett, Seattle

The regional transit agency is seeking feedback on the proposed service changes, set to go into effect in fall 2026.

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mother sues Edmonds School District after her son’s fingertip was allegedly severed

The complaint alleges the boy’s special education teacher at Cedar Way Elementary closed the door on his finger in 2023.

Pedal-free electric bikes are considered motorcycles under Washington State law (Black Press Media file photo)
Stanwood Police: Pedal-free e-bikes are motorcycles

Unlike electric-assisted bikes, they need to be registered and operated by a properly endorsed driver.

The aftermath of a vandalism incident to the Irwin family's "skeleton army" display outside their Everett, Washington home. (Paul Irwin)
Despite vandalism spree, Everett light display owners vow to press on

Four attacks since September have taken a toll on Everett family’s Halloween and Christmas cheer.

Students, teachers, parents and first responders mill about during a pancake breakfast at Lowell Elementary School in 2023 in Everett. If approved, a proposed bond would pay for a complete replacement of Lowell Elementary as well as several other projects across the district. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett school board sends bond, levy measures to Feb. ballot

The $400 million bond would pay for a new school and building upgrades, while the levy would pay for locally funded expenses like extra-curriculars and athletics.

Edgewater Bridge construction workers talk as demolition continues on the bridge on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge construction may impact parking on Everett street

As construction crews bring in large concrete beams necessary for construction, trucks could impact parking and slow traffic along Glenwood Avenue.

Customers walk in and out of Fred Meyer along Evergreen Way on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Closure of Fred Meyer leads Everett to consider solutions for vacant retail properties

One proposal would penalize landlords who don’t rent to new tenants after a store closes.

People leave notes on farmers market concept photos during an informational open house held at the Northwest Stream Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County presents plans for Food and Farming Center

The future center will reside in McCollum Park and provide instrumental resources for local farmers to process, package and sell products.

People walk through Explorer Middle School’s new gymnasium during an open house on Oct. 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett middle school celebrates opening of new gym

The celebration came as the Mukilteo School District seeks the approval of another bond measure to finish rebuilding Explorer Middle School.

Daily Herald moves to new office near downtown Everett

The move came after the publication spent 12 years located in an office complex on 41st Street.

Women run free for health and wellness in Marysville

The second Women’s Freedom Run brought over 115 people together in support of mental and physical health.

Pop star Benson Boone comes home to Monroe High School

Boone, 23, proves you can take the star out of Monroe — but you can’t take Monroe out of the star.

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.