Sound Transit faces service cuts as revenues fall

SEATTLE — A drop in sales tax revenue is forcing Sound Transit to consider putting the brakes on expanded rail and regional bus service, mostly in south and east King County.

But Snohomish County’s prospects for commuter and light rail look much better.

Projects planned for Snohomish County, including the Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station now under construction and a permanent commuter train station expected to open in Edmonds next spring, are expected to go forward, Sound Transit Chief Executive Joni Earl told the agency’s Board of Directors on Thursday.

Earl said a projected $3.9 billion drop in sales tax revenues over the next 15 years means some projects on the drawing board will be suspended or scrapped.

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

The only Snohomish County project likely to be suspended under the latest budget proposal is a longer-term plan to build a commuter rail station near the Edmonds waterfront south of the existing Edmonds Station. The project was part of Edmonds Crossing, a big proposal to place a new train station, bus depot and ferry dock together on another part of the Edmonds waterfront. That project is on hiatus because of the funding crunch.

Instead, Sound Transit is building the commuter train station that is expected to open next spring. It’s a much smaller version and will be a hub for train commuters only.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, chairman of the board, lauded his associates for “having the foresight to look at this in an all-inclusive fashion.”

“The wisdom of the board is going to have to serve us as we go forward,” he said.

Voters in 2008 agreed to raise the sales taxes a half-cent on every dollar to pay for $18 billion in new rail and bus projects throughout the Puget Sound region by 2023.

That plan includes extending light rail from Seattle to Lynnwood by 2023.

“What we did not know and nobody knew at the time was how deep this recession was going to be,” Earl told the board.

In March, the agency predicted a $3.1 billion sales tax revenue shortfall from 2009 to 2023.

At the time, the agency had no plans to suspend any projects.

That’s different now, Earl said.

“This is a mixed-message story,” she said, noting the proposed suspensions. “We’re going to be able to carry millions of people around this region for years to come.”

The budget shortfall means a plan to extend light rail south of Sea-Tac International Airport could be suspended or dropped, Earl said.

Federal Way probably won’t get an extended Sounder Commuter train platform. And the agency will likely suspend an eastside passenger rail partnership, a planned carpool direct-access lane along I-405 in Renton and a Bothell Transit Center.

Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

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.

Traffic moves north and south along the southbound side of the Highway 529 after the northbound lanes were closed due to a tunnel on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Southbound 529 to close near Marysville for four days for bridge work

WSDOT said the 24-hour-a-day closure is necessary to allow contractors to perform work on the aging Steamboat Slough Bridge.

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.

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
‘I’m pretty upset’: WA lawmaker wants to override governor’s veto of his bill

State lawmakers delivered 423 bills to Gov. Bob Ferguson this year and… Continue reading

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

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.