Two of the planned Sound Transit Link light rail stations, so far named Ash Way and Mariner, in the extension to Everett are in unincorporated Snohomish County. The county selected its preferred locations in February, but the final decision is up to Sound Transit. (Sound Transit)

Two of the planned Sound Transit Link light rail stations, so far named Ash Way and Mariner, in the extension to Everett are in unincorporated Snohomish County. The county selected its preferred locations in February, but the final decision is up to Sound Transit. (Sound Transit)

Snohomish County picks favored light rail station locations

To anticipate development, the county is suggesting preferred locations 15 years before they’ll be built.

More than 15 years before light rail is extended north from Lynnwood, Snohomish County planners already are looking at the best ways to configure stations along I-5 near the 164th Street and 128th Street exits.

They’re also looking for public input with an online survey at tinyurl.com/y9deyssx.

Sound Transit has the final say about where, precisely, the stops go. But county planners wanted to get a head start on anticipating growth.

Long before stations are built, they likely will transform their neighborhoods as nearby developments rise around the sites. That’s what’s happened in Seattle at Link light rail locations, and it is already happening in Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, where construction for the Lynnwood extension is under way.

David Killingstad and Jay Larsen are the two Snohomish County planners leading the process.

“In almost every place where a light rail station has gone in, it’s been a catalyst for growth,” said Larsen, the county transportation planning coordinator. “If you don’t start early on these projects, they won’t be there on time.”

Killingstad added: “Setting this table allows us to be in a much better position when this comes.”

The county’s planning department is so far ahead, their submission surprised Sound Transit, which is years from drawing up location preferences to present to its board of directors.

“It’s way down on our radar,” Sound Transit spokesperson Scott Thompson said.

The general locations at 164th and 128th were part of the package approved by voters in 2016, called ST3, which is funding the light rail extension from Lynnwood to Everett. At least six stations are part of that plan — and possibly a seventh stop, if money’s available.

Two of the funded stations are in unincorporated Snohomish County. They are at 164th Street Southwest and I-5, dubbed the Ash Way station, and at 128th Street Southwest and I-5, the Mariner station. The specifics, including on which side of I-5 the stations would be, are still up for discussion.

After an 18-month process, the Snohomish County Council in February approved the county’s locally preferred configurations at Ash Way (east of I-5 near 164th) and at Mariner (west of I-5 on 130th).

The county’s preference for the Ash Way station leaves a lot to be determined, including whether it will be north or south of 164th. When the county’s planners made conceptual drawings of the stations, they put the Ash Way stop north of 164th because of development opportunities, Larsen said.

One reason the county’s favored option is east of I-5, instead of near the park-and-ride to the west, is the proximity to the Interurban Trail and connections with transit. Moving light rail away from apartments and other developments adjacent to bus stops and the park-and-ride lot makes more sense, with a proposed bridge over the freeway.

Another reason the county would like the station east of I-5 is to make it accessible to anticipated growth to the east.

“If you look at the (rail) line in its entirety after coming up from the (King) County line, after Mountlake Terrace, it’s always on the west side,” said Killingstad, who is planning and development services planner.

For the Mariner station, the preferred location is pretty specific, on 130th Street Southwest between Eighth and Fourth avenues west. There is a storage facility and apartment buildings there. If Sound Transit agrees, those structures would be demolished and people who live and use them displaced.

Instead of putting the stop on 128th Street, moving it away from that high-traffic arterial could limit spillover.

“It’s a very congested roadway,” Larsen said of 128th. “There’s already a lot of activity there.”

Similar to their hopes for Ash Way, they’d like another overpass on I-5 at Mariner for bikes, pedestrians and transit, connecting at Third Avenue on the east side of the freeway.

“It gets all of them out of that busy interchange,” he said.

So far, there aren’t any dedicated bike/walk/transit crossings in Snohomish County. But there are direct-access ramps for high-occupancy vehicles and transit in Lynnwood and Everett.

The survey is one of the those opportunities people often claim they wished they knew about. Instead of wondering why the buildings are so tall later, this is an opportunity to talk about how tall, or where, they should even be.

Have a question? Email streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your first and last name and city of residence.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.