MUKILTEO – The city of Mukilteo is reviewing Sound Transit’s plans for the commuter rail station it hopes to build near the waterfront in the next year.

City administrator Rich Leahy said he expects the project to be approved in time for Sound Transit to start building in the fall. Sound Transit hopes to begin service in June 2007, spokesman Lee Somerstein said.

To start, the station will consist of a platform on the north side of the railroad tracks, about 500 feet east of Park Avenue on First Street. A temporary parking lot for 68 cars will stretch the distance between the platform and Park Avenue on the north side of First Street.

When completed, the $18.2 million station will have platforms on both sides of the tracks, connected by a pedestrian overpass to the planned new ferry terminal scheduled to be built between 2008 and 2010. The second train platform is targeted for completion in 2009.

When work begins on the ferry terminal, the parking will be moved. The exact location for the lot has yet to be determined. That depends on how the ferry terminal is built.

The city, state and Sound Transit will work to ensure the parking lot is as close to the station as possible for riders’ convenience, according to a city memo.

The long-term wish is for a parking garage serving both the ferry terminal and train station with room for 120 vehicles. Neither Sound Transit nor the state has the money to build that garage, which could cost up to $16 million.

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.