MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Sound Transit’s Lynnwood extension $500M over budget, 6 months late

Aug 24, 2017, 3:53 PM

sound transit...

(KIRO Radio file photo)

(KIRO Radio file photo)

Sound Transit’s Lynnwood extension will be $500 million over budget and six months late, according to The Seattle Times.

The agency said the $2.4 billion estimate has changed to $2.9 billion, according to information The Times obtained at Thursday’s board meeting. Chalk it up to rising labor, material, and land costs.

The line from Northgate to Lynnwood is now expected to be completed in mid-2024.

“It’s certainly a disappointment to everyone,” Rogoff said at the board meeting, according to The Times. “What is not in question is whether we will get to Everett, get to Redmond and to Federal Way, or Tacoma, to Ballard and West Seattle.”

Voters approved the extension in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 package. The station at Northgate is well underway, along with land acquisitions through Shoreline. Just nine months ago, voters approved the Sound Transit 3 package to reach Everett and build several other extensions.

The Times reports the University of Washington Station built for $141 million in 2016 would now require $248 million, according to the construction company. The agency predicted a 25 percent increase in land costs, but that number is closer 44 percent.

Newly approved ST3 grants the agency the ability to use that voter approved funding for the Northgate-Lynnwood line approved in ST2, according to the Times. Sound Transit can absorb the increases, but spending now means fewer dollars in the future for the Everett expansion.

MyNorthwest News

delta sexual assault...

Frank Sumrall

Woman sues Delta Air Lines after sexually assaulted on flight by employee

Last year, a woman was sexually assaulted on a Delta Air Lines flight from Phoenix to Seattle by an airline employee.

2 minutes ago

Photo: Lewis and Clark High School students thought quickly to save their track coach's life....

Julia Dallas

Spokane high school students save track coach’s life after his heart stops

Two Spokane high school students used their quick thinking and past training to save their track coach's life last week.

2 hours ago

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

14 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

15 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

17 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

17 hours ago

Sound Transit’s Lynnwood extension $500M over budget, 6 months late