SoundTransit, the authority developing the light rail network in Seattle, was planning before the end of last month to start applying for a US$750M federal grant for the University Link tunnel project, which could start construction later this year.
The 5km extension to the light rail network in the city will run in twin bore tunnels from downtown northwards to the University of Washington. It will have stations at Capitol hill and near Husky Stadium, on the university campus.
A recent audit by the state noted that construction of the extension was expected to commence in late 2008 or early 2009, and the link is to be in service in 2016. Focusing on the light rail scheme only, which has involved significant tunnelling works such as at Beacon Hill, the audit also noted that SoundTransit had extensively improved its construction planning and management since 2002.
SoundTransit recently re-opened the retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel after two years of refurbishment work. Light rail trains will be able to join with buses in the tunnel from 2009.
