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Rail News Home Passenger Rail

4/14/2021



Rail News: Passenger Rail

Sound Transit seeks input on managing COVID-19 revenue impact


The Agency faces a projected $11.5 billion affordability gap to complete its expansion program.
Photo – soundtransit.org

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Sound Transit's board is encouraging regional residents to provide input on priorities for managing an unprecedented financial environment in its work to advance voter-approved transit projects that are not already under construction, according to a news release.

Suggestions will be accepted until April 30.

The Seattle agency's financial picture has been affected by a reduction in tax revenue at the same time that real estate and construction market pressures continue to drive project estimates to levels beyond previous assumptions. These factors have resulted in a projected $11.5 billion affordability gap to complete the full expansion program as originally planned, Sound Transit officials said in a press release.

 The board is trying to determine how plans and timelines for voter-approved projects should change to address the financial pressures. The board will identify options to manage costs and pursue federal grants and other alternative revenue sources to help close the financial gap.

Projects now under construction — including light rail extensions to Northgate, Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way and Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, as well as the Puyallup Sounder garage — will go forward. All of these projects are expected to be completed on schedule, agency officials said.



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