Sound Transit explores siting rail yard in Lynnwood

LYNNWOOD — A light-rail maintenance yard that Sound Transit might build near a residential neighborhood here is the focus of a city workshop Saturday.

From 10 to 11:45 a.m., people can learn more about Sound Transit’s draft environmental studies on where to put the facility. The meeting spot is the Cedar Valley Grange Hall, 20526 52nd Ave. W.

The prospect of hosting a light-rail facility between I-5 and 52nd Avenue West isn’t popular in Lynnwood. The City Council last year passed a resolution asking Sound Transit to remove the site from consideration. The transit agency also is exploring three locations between downtown Bellevue and Redmond.

The Sound Transit Board hopes to pick a preferred spot this summer.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“This summer may not be the final decision for where the site’s going to be,” said Bruce Gray, a spokesman for the agency.

A clearer picture should emerge once Sound Transit completes a final environmental study on the preferred site, likely next year.

The agency hopes to build the maintenance yard by 2020, ahead of rail-line expansions to the north and east. That’s when the agency expects to max out its maintenance facility in Seattle with space for 104 light-rail cars, Gray said.

The new facility needs to be up to 25 acres. It’s estimated to cost up to $415 million.

A draft environmental impact statement available online analyzes noise and vibration at the potential locations. It also explores visual and economic impacts. People can comment on it through June 23.

If the agency were to select the Lynnwood site, it would need to build a second, smaller facility in the Eastside suburbs, Gray said. That’s because of space limitations that don’t apply at the Eastside locations.

The Edmonds School District owns most of the land near 204th Street SW that the transit agency has studied for the maintenance yard. The district has other plans for its land.

Sound Transit’s light-rail system is on track to expand to 50 miles by 2023 from 16 miles now. That should roughly triple the light-rail fleet to 180 from the current 62.

Light rail is on track to reach the University of Washington in 2016 and Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood in 2021. Extensions to Lynnwood and Bellevue are planned in 2023.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.

Sound Transit is considering Lynnwood for a future light-rail train yard. Lynnwood city officials have scheduled a meeting Saturday to discuss the plans.

Time: 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Place: Cedar Valley Grange Hall, 20526 52nd Ave. W, Lynnwood.

Sound Transit also has scheduled a hearing next month in Lynnwood.

Time: 5 to 7:30 p.m. June 3.

Place: Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. SW, Lynnwood.

Submit comments to Sound Transit by email at omsf@soundtransit.org.

See draft environmental impact statements at www.soundtransit.org/omsf.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

Patrick Russell, left, Jill Russell and their son Jackson Russell of Lake Stevens enjoy Dick’s burgers on their way home from Seattle on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. The family said the announcement of the Dick’s location in Everett “is amazing” and they will be stopping by whenever it opens in 2025. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dick’s Drive-In announces details for Thursday’s grand opening in Everett

Dick’s will celebrate its second Snohomish County location with four days of festivities.

Washington’s Supreme Court slashes public defender caseload limits

The changes will take effect Jan. 1, but local governments get a decade to comply. For cash-strapped counties, it may not be enough time without more state aid.

Washington stuck mid-pack in national education ranking

The new report underscores shortfalls in reading and math proficiency. Still, the state’s top school official says data show progress recovering from the pandemic.

Marysville is planning a new indoor sports facility, 350 apartments and a sizable hotel east of Ebey Waterfront Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New report shifts outlook of $25M Marysville sports complex

A report found a conceptual 100,000-square-foot sports complex may require public investment to pencil out.

x
Edmonds seeks applicants for planning board alternate

The member would attend and participate in meetings and vote when another member is absent. Applications close June 25.

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.