Board Leader
Posted 27 October 2020 - 08:23 AM
KIRO Radio, Seattle, WA, 10/27/20:
More trees come down as Sound Transit builds light rail toward Redmond
Drivers on 520 have probably already noticed, but the first signs of Sound Transit’s Link light rail expansion from Microsoft to downtown Redmond are now visible.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
Administrator
Posted 05 February 2021 - 02:27 PM
2/5/21
Project update
Construction activities coming to Downtown Redmond
Sound Transit's contractor has made great progress along the shoulder of eastbound SR 520 since starting work last summer and gearing up to begin construction activities in downtown Redmond. As early as Monday, Feb. 8, crews will begin preparing designated construction areas from 164th Avenue Northeast to 170th Avenue Northeast for upcoming construction activities.
Business Relations Program
We know that due to COVID-19 businesses are facing unprecedented hardship and uncertainty. We want to do our part to make sure that during construction, we support businesses along our alignment. At Sound Transit, our Business Relations Program helps local businesses succeed through collaboration, shared tools and resources. Transit helps build a stronger, more vibrant community, including strong businesses, by connecting people and places throughout the region. We are committed to helping people find businesses and navigate detours around our construction work zones. We know that the success of local business is the lifeline of our communities.
Learn more about how to prepare your business for construction.
Community Engagement team change
Hello, Redmond community! My name is Elizabeth Guevara your new community engagement specialist for Downtown Redmond Link Extension. I'm taking over for Ryan Bianchi, who isn't going too far.
It's my job to keep you informed about the project and help ease impacts of construction. Sound Transit believes in being a good neighbor during construction of its transit systems. We are committed to building projects that serve and respond to community needs and enhance quality of life.
Contact me if you have questions about the construction process or impacts.
More project info: soundtransit.org/redmondlink
Get in touch: redmondlink@soundtransit.org or 206-398-5300
Administrator
Posted 17 September 2021 - 02:26 PM
Railway Age,9/17/21
Sound Transit: $3.84B in TIFIA Loans for Project Advancement
Sound Transit will receive up to $3.84 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans to finance the Downtown Redmond Link Extension and refinance five additional projects, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported Sept. 17.
The USDOT estimates that the loans will save Sound Transit—the regional transit system serving the Seattle and Central Puget Sound area in Washington state—more than $630 million over their term and help move the agency projects forward.
U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg last month announced that the department would be approving the loans (See Railway Age sister publication Railway Track & Structure’s coverage in “Sound Transit receives U.S. DOT financing assistance for building critical transit expansions.”)
Cross posted in 'ST Downtown Redmond Link Extension Project' and 'Sound Transit TIFIA Loan Package will save $500M on six projects'
Administrator
Posted 20 August 2022 - 02:26 PM
8/18/22
Project update
The Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee today received a detailed briefing on continuing efforts to identify new opening dates for current Link construction projects, including the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project. This email provides an update on work to open these extensions as quickly as possible.
Since April, Sound Transit has been flagging delays affecting not only the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project but also East Link and the Lynnwood and Federal Way Link Extension projects.
“Within about the next four years, our carbon- and congestion-free light rail system will more than double from 26 to 62 miles and from 25 to 50 stations,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Brooke Belman. “While we are on a path to fully resolve impacts of COVID-19, the concrete delivery strike and our construction challenges, we have more work to do before we can reliably establish opening dates. We will work tirelessly with our contractors to complete these extensions as rapidly as possible without compromising on safety or quality.”
Anticipated delays for Downtown Redmond Link construction completion were also driven primarily by the concrete delivery strike and COVID-19. Construction schedule impacts due to these two factors have been quantified and negotiated with the contractor to be four and a half months, which is mitigated in part by owner-controlled float in the project schedule.
Fortunately, known schedule risks specific to the project are relatively limited. Those include general risks such as challenges that arise from staffing and supply chain issues, managing potential changes in design as lessons are learned on other projects, and work that is necessarily performed by others, such as:
· Power connections: There are several issues related to power for the light rail system that have the potential to cause delays. These include design and construction of the service connections and a new monitoring system, which is work performed by Puget Sound Energy.
· Staffing shortages affecting oversight by permitting authorities: Lack of skilled workers and increasing demand is a concern across the industry, not only in construction trades. One example is in the support from Washington State Labor and Industries, where the Sound Transit contractors have hired private consulting firms to supplement L&I review. This same approach may also be implemented for installation inspections.
While the Downtown Redmond extension was planned to open near the end of 2024, continuing work is required to identify new project opening timelines for this as well as the other three projects. Timelines must include time for activation work once construction is complete. Based on the most recent assessments, completion of construction for Downtown Redmond may be impacted by four to six months. This only slightly exceeds the more than four-month delay caused by the concrete delivery strike that ended in April, with project schedules absorbing most other impacts. The Downtown Redmond extension cannot open before the completion of East Link to Redmond’s Overlake area, which is now projected to be impacted by at least a year beyond its earlier hoped mid-2023 opening. An upcoming programmatic review will assess rail activation sequencing and time requirements to support the identification of new opening timeframes.
Identifying new opening timelines requires continuing work to resolve project risks, as well the mentioned programmatic review that is now getting underway. Sound Transit will maintain intensive focus on these tasks and opening these projects as rapidly as possible without compromising their safety and quality. Action plans responding to challenges with all four of the current projects are summarized in a presentation provided at today’s meeting and a detailed memo.
For more information, please contact Charlie Hockett, senior Community Outreach specialist at (206) 553-3736 or Charlie.Hockett@soundtransit.org.
More project info: soundtransit.org/redmondlink
Administrator
Posted 11 April 2024 - 03:43 PM
4/11/24
Project update
Systems Integration Testing begins!
After several years of construction, the Downtown Redmond Link Extension will begin testing various aspects of the system to prepare for operation. As early as late April, nearby residents may notice new activity on the tracks and at stations, including dead car tows, rail grinding, and testing of systems like communications and signal systems. Please see below for more information about the new activities.
This is an exciting new phase of the project that brings us one step closer to opening the Downtown Redmond Link Extension. While testing is right around the corner, we’ll keep working to finish building the new 3.4 mile extension to Downtown Redmond. Make sure you are signed up for alerts like these to stay up-to-date on construction activities.
Systems Integration Testing includes:
- Rail grinding: Rail grinding is a routine preventative maintenance activity that prolongs the lifespan of light rail tracks. Crews grind away the top layer of material from the rail. The work generally occurs when rail is installed and then repeated every 2-3 years. Nearby residents and businesses should expect to hear increased noise and see localized sparks as a result of this work.
- Dead car tows: Dead car tows involve crews towing a single light rail car along the tracks at walking speed to test clearances around the trains when they begin running. Nearby residents and businesses should expect to see light rail vehicles on the tracks moving slowly along as crews verify clearances.
- Rider information and alert systems testing: Crews need to test systems like fire alarms, track intrusion detection, rider information, and more before the system opens. Nearby residents and businesses should expect to hear these systems being tested prior to the light rail line opening for service.
Read on for important safety information!
With the 2 Line opening and Downtown Redmond Link entering the testing phase, safety is our top priority. Here are some steps you can take to stay safe:
- Always look both ways before crossing the tracks. After a train passes, another train may be coming from the opposite direction.
- Only cross at designated crosswalks and signalized intersections. Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Do not walk, stand, or park a vehicle on the tracks. Whenever you are around trains or tracks, remember to watch for trains.
- When cro
- ssing the tracks on a bicycle, always cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle to prevent your bicycle tires from getting stuck in the tracks.
As previously mentioned, this testing will happen alongside current construction between the Redmond Technology Station and Downtown Redmond. Check out our tips for staying safe around construction sites below.
Staying safe around construction sites
More project info: https://www.soundtransit.org/redmondlink
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