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ST2 - East Link Extension light rail construction


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 April 2016 - 04:11 PM

Sound Transit news release:

 

Sound Transit kicks off East Link light rail construction

Apr 22, 2016
 

New line will connect Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Overlake

 

 

Federal, state and local officials today celebrated the start of construction of the East Link light rail extension connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond's Overlake area and Microsoft campus.

 

The 14-mile light rail extension approved by voters in 2008 will provide reliable 24-minute trips from downtown Bellevue to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle.

 

"Today, we begin connecting the east and west sides of Lake Washington with high-capacity light rail—a project that will revolutionize travel to and from the Eastside," said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. "East Link will provide a quick, reliable trip from downtown Bellevue to downtown Seattle, delivering mass transit that will transform our region."

 

Officials celebrated the start of construction with a ceremonial groundbreaking near where trains will run in a tunnel under downtown Bellevue.

 

"For a long time we've been working hard to build and expand a world class transit system in the Puget Sound region, and for the first time today, we are pulling Link's reach across Lake Washington to the Eastside with this groundbreaking," said U.S. Sen. Senator Patty Murray, D-WA. "Voters have consistently shown they want less congestion, more accessible transit, and greener transportation by supporting new light rail investments—and I will keep working every day over in the other Washington to make sure our state is getting the resources it needs to do that."

 

Funding for the $3.7 billion project is provided in part by a $1.3 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

 

"East Link is a great example of the important regional projects the federal government is investing in to make critical improvements to the nation's transportation system," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

 

By 2030 East Link is projected to carry about 50,000 riders each weekday with stations in Seattle, Mercer Island, South Bellevue, downtown Bellevue and the Bel-Red and Overlake areas. By 2030 the region's light rail system is expected to carry more than 280,000 riders each weekday.

 

"I am deeply excited to officially kick off construction, after years of planning, of the Eastside's light rail line," said Sound Transit Board member and King County Council member Claudia Balducci. "Soon, people who live or work in Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond will have a new, fast, reliable way to travel across Lake Washington and around our region - out of the traffic that gridlocks our freeways each and every day."

 

Trains will travel across Lake Washington in the current center reversible lanes of I-90. Construction on I-90 will start next year following the completion of new HOV lanes in each direction on the outer roadways that will preserve the existing number of general purpose and HOV lanes. The Washington State Department of Transportation is managing construction of the work to add the new HOV lanes and upgrade the communications and safety systems in the I-90 tunnels.

 

"Part of a healthy economy is a reliable transit connection to jobs and homes. That's what East Link is all about," said State Rep. Judy Clibborn, Chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee. "Making sure we continue to plan for the future is even more critical in coming decades as our population increases."

 

The East Link budget includes a $100 million in-kind contribution from the City of Bellevue toward the downtown tunnel, a $33 million contribution from Microsoft to fund a bike/pedestrian bridge over SR 520 at the Overlake Transit Center Station and a $10 million contribution from the City of Redmond towards a pedestrian/bike bridge over SR 520 at the Overlake Village Station.  The new bridges create a direct connection to the Microsoft campus and other businesses on the north side of SR 520.

 

"Bringing light rail to Bellevue and Redmond will help people across our region live more productive lives, not only by helping them commute faster but by strengthening the region's economy and our global competitiveness," said Sound Transit Board Member and Redmond Mayor John Marchione. "The future of light rail on the Eastside becomes real today."

 

Contractors have begun preparing the site just south of downtown Bellevue near East Main Street and Northeast 112th Street for the tunnel portal where trains will transition from the surface to a 1/3-mile-long tunnel under downtown before reemerging to the surface near Northeast Sixth Street.

 

East Link's 10 stations are scheduled to open in 2023 as part of more than 30 miles of light rail extensions connecting population and employment centers in the region. Link's South 200th extension is scheduled to open later this year, followed by the extension to Northgate in 2021. In addition to East Link, other segments scheduled to open in 2023 include expansions north to Lynnwood and south to Kent/Des Moines.

 

For more information on East Link and a video animation of the route and stations see: www.soundtransit.org/eastlink

 

The Sound Transit Board is currently working to submit a Sound Transit 3 ballot measure to regional voters in November. A draft plan that is available for public input through April 29 would complete a truly regional 112-mile system reaching north to Everett, south to Tacoma, East to downtown Redmond and Issaquah and west to Seattle's Ballard and West Seattle neighborhoods. Residents can take an online survey and learn about remaining open houses at soundtransit3.org.

 

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Video Animation Direct Links - allow full-screen viewing:

East Link animation: Seattle to Mercer Island

East Link animation: Bellevue to Redmond



#2 Lightning

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Posted 27 April 2016 - 01:08 AM

Big day indeed.  Stellar group in attendance.  More from the Seattle Transit Blog


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#3 Sloan

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Posted 20 June 2016 - 10:47 AM

 

 

Lynnwood getting federal help as it plans for light rail, development

 

The city’s transportation situation is getting some attention from the federal government. Through a new grant, Lynnwood is receiving in-depth assistance from the Federal Transit Administration in planning for the future of mass transit and the development expected to come with it.

http://www.heraldnet...EWS01/160629968



#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 13 January 2017 - 02:42 PM

Sound Transit news release 1/11/17:

 

Is your small business directly-adjacent to the East Link Extension light rail project?

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Project update:

East Link Extension

Is your small business directly-adjacent to the East Link Extension light rail project?

 

five-starts-video-preview-bellevue-redmo

 

Sound Transit wants to work with you to help build your customer base before and during construction. Sound Transit has partnered with Five Stars to provide strategic assistance to eligible small businesses. FiveStars is a rewards and loyalty marketing company that empowers businesses to self-promote and helps businesses further develop their customer base. Participation is voluntary and free.

 

***View FiveStars' video about how their service works.***

 

Spots are limited!

Email eastlink@soundtransit.org if you are interested in participating. Eligible participants will be included in this pilot program on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Participants will receive:

  • A tablet with associated software that integrates customer rewards at point-of-sale via the easy-to-use electronic platform: mobile app for customers, tablet with associated software for businesses.
  • On-call guidance and technical support on an on-going basis to help develop and implement successful promotions.
  • Direct access to customers for promotions via text, email and mobile application.
 

Stay informed

Notification will be provided in advance of major work activities and traffic shifts. Learn more about construction near the Bel-Red / 130th Station at a Meet the Contractor Open House to be scheduled in early 2017.

 

For more information

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Sound Transit | Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St. | Seattle, WA 98104 | 1-800-201-4900/ TTY Relay: 711 main@soundtransit.org | soundtransit.org

 



#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 29 January 2017 - 11:23 AM

Sound Transit news release:

 
Sound Transit selects Max J. Kuney Company to build station, guideway for the Bel-Red section of the East Link Extension
Jan 27, 2017
 

Construction to begin as early as this quarter on an at-grade structure, and one mile of at-grade, retained cut and elevated guideway for light rail extension opening in 2023

 

 

 

The Sound Transit Board of Directors yesterday selected Max J. Kuney Company to build the Bel-Red/130th Station and guideway that will serve East Link Extension trains when light rail service begins in 2023.

 

The $93 million contract includes constructing an at-grade station located between 130th and 132nd Avenues NE at NE Spring Blvd. in the Bel-Red corridor. Trains departing from the Spring District/120th station will continue east under 124th Ave. NE in a retained cut alignment before transitioning to an elevated guideway over the West Tributary of Kelsey Creek. Approaching 130th Ave. NE, light rail descends to the at-grade Bel-Red/130th station. Departing the station, the route continues at-grade in the median of NE Spring Boulevard, turns north at 136th Place NE and crosses NE 20th Street before transitioning to an elevated structure and continuing along SR 520 to Overlake in Redmond.

 

Riders using the Bel-Red/130th Station will reach the downtown International District Station in about 24 minutes.

 

The $3.6 billion East Link project extends light rail 14 miles to East King County from downtown Seattle serving Mercer Island via I-90, Bellevue and the Overlake area of Redmond, with 10 new light rail stations serving Rainier Avenue/I-90, Mercer Island, South Bellevue, Downtown Bellevue, Overlake Hospital, the Bel-Red Corridor, Overlake Village and the Overlake Transit Center.

 

More information on the East Link Extension is available at www.soundtransit.org/eastlink.

 

 

 



#6 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 11:06 PM

Sound Transit news release:

Sound Transit statement on City of Mercer Island lawsuit regarding East Link light rail construction on I-90

 
Feb 14, 2017
 

Agency responds to city council’s vote to pursue legal action

 

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff today issued the below statement on the Mercer Island City Council’s votes to pursue a lawsuit and permitting moratoria seeking to block the upcoming start of construction of East Link light rail in the center lanes of I-90 across Lake Washington.

 

“Legal agreements dating back to before the I-90 floating bridge was even built dedicated the center lanes for public transit. More than eight years ago regional voters approved the funding to build the East Link light rail project on those lanes. It is highly regrettable that the City of Mercer Island is now attempting to delay the project in mid-construction. Neither the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) nor Sound Transit are empowered to reverse the Federal Highway Administration’s decisions regarding access by single-occupant Mercer Island traffic to the new HOV lanes across Lake Washington. These lanes are on schedule to open in June, enabling us to stay on schedule constructing light rail. While Sound Transit remains ready to reach solutions through negotiations, the agency will take all legal actions necessary to avoid delays or increased costs to taxpayers in fulfilling our promise to voters to complete East Link. Building fast and reliable light rail service across Lake Washington is not only a commitment to the residents of Bellevue, Redmond, Mercer Island and Seattle but to every resident of the Sound Transit District. Delays to the East Link project pose significant risks of increased costs to regional taxpayers and significant delays to opening the project in 2023.”

 

Related background

The 14-mile East Link light rail extension will provide reliable 24-minute trips from downtown Bellevue to downtown Seattle.  Residents of the region have been paying increased taxes since 2009 to fund this and other projects contained in the 2008 ballot measure.   Construction of the East Link project, which is scheduled to open in 2023, is currently underway. 

 

Trains will travel across Lake Washington in the current center reversible lanes of I-90. Construction on I-90 is scheduled to begin in June after the completion of new HOV lanes in each direction on the outer roadways. These new lanes that WSDOT is constructing with Sound Transit funding will preserve the existing number of general purpose and HOV lanes on the bridge.

 

Sound Transit’s construction of light rail in the center lanes will realize plans and agreements for the bridge that have been in place since before the bridge’s construction. A 1976 memorandum of agreement between the Washington State Department of Transportation, King County and the cities of Mercer Island, Bellevue and Seattle dedicated the center lanes to transit and stipulated the bridge “shall be designed and constructed so that conversion of all or part of the transit roadway to fixed guideway is possible.”

 

The agreement stated that the center lanes would initially operate “with the first priority to transit, the second to carpools, and the third to Mercer Island traffic.” The 1978 decision by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation authorizing construction of the new bridge stipulated that “public transportation shall permanently have first priority in the use of the center lanes. The Washington State DOT will assure that general Mercer Island traffic use of the center lanes is controlled to the extent necessary to maintain bus and carpool speeds of 45 mph or greater.”

 

In 2004 all of the parties to the 1976 agreement and Sound Transit signed an amendment establishing plans for constructing high capacity transit in the center lanes. That conversion was stipulated to occur following the addition of one new HOV lane in each direction to the outer roadways. The 2004 amendment did not identify Mercer Island SOV access to the new HOV lanes as a project component, but instead provided that transportation studies would be used to determine if the changes to I-90 would cause a loss of mobility to and from Mercer Island and that WSDOT satisfactorily address any such loss. The 2004 Agreement stated, “To the extent of any loss of mobility to and from Mercer Island based on the outcome of studies, additional transit facilities and services such as additional bus service, parking available for Mercer Island residents, and other measures shall be identified and satisfactorily addressed by the Commission, in consultation with the affected jurisdictions….”

 

In 2005 Sound Transit joined with King County and the cities of Mercer Island, Bellevue and Seattle in sending WSDOT a letter voicing support for granting Mercer Island SOVs access to the new HOV lanes on I-90.  However, last year the Federal Highway Administration notified WSDOT that federal law prohibits SOV access to HOV lanes. Sound Transit has been working with the City of Mercer Island and WSDOT to study whether there will be any negative mobility impacts to transportation to and from Mercer Island that require mitigation after the new two-way 24-hour HOV lanes and 20-hour-a-day light-rail service replace the one-way center roadway that operates only westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon.

 

While pursuing legal remedies to protect regional taxpayers and commuters from increased costs and delayed service, Sound Transit will continue to work toward negotiated solutions with the City of Mercer Island and WSDOT. 

 

For more information on East Link see soundtransit.org/eastlink.

 

 



#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 03:01 PM

seattlepi.com, 2/14:
 

Mercer Island to sue Sound Transit, WSDOT over light rail plans

The city claims violation of a 1976 agreement which gives it unique privileges

 

 

As light rail expansion plans continue to roll out, several Mercer Island residents are worried they’re living on the wrong side of the tracks.

 

The city of Mercer Island has announced its intention to sue Sound Transit and the state Department of Transportation over the loss of access to Interstate 90’s carpool lanes.

 

Mercer Island residents -- even when driving solo -- have historically been granted access to I-90's high-occupancy vehicle lanes, thanks to a deal struck in 1976 during pre-construction planning for the freeway. But later this year, when construction gets underway to add light rail across the I-90 express lanes, that access will go away.

 

Continue here.

 

See Sound Transit news release above.



#8 KevinKorell

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 01:33 PM

Seattle, WA Times, 2/24/17:

 

 


 

Bellevue transit tunnel underway, but no giant drill for this job

 

Digging has begun on Bellevue’s future downtown transit tunnel, but there’s no Bertha or any other giant drill with a famous nickname.

More



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ


#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 05:00 PM

Sound Transit Construction Alert:

 

st-logo_crop.jpg

 

Construction alert: East Link Extension

 

Feb. 27, 2017

 

East Link tunnel excavation is underway in downtown Bellevue

 

 

 

Behind the construction sound wall, crews are busy excavating at the south tunnel portal site located at 112th Avenue Northeast and Main Street. A video of the construction progress at the the tunnel portal and route through downtown Bellevue can be viewed here.

 

Because of the short tunnel length (approximately 2,000 feet long, or approximately one-third of a mile), and to minimize impact on neighboring homes and businesses, Sound Transit is constructing the tunnel using the Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) rather than a tunnel boring machine or digging a large trench that is later covered. SEM removes soil in small sections or bites using an excavator and cutting equipment. As soon as soil is removed, pressurized concrete, called shotcrete, is sprayed on the tunnel's sides, celling and floor. Lattice girders provide additional structural support for the tunnel.

 

SEM minimizes disruptions to surface streets, homes and businesses while also reducing noise and dust. Sound Transit used SEM to successfully dig its Beacon Hill light rail station.

 

east-link-extension-sequential-excavatio

Sequential Excavation Method

 

What to expect:

  • Approximately two years of excavation followed by finish work inside the tunnel.
  • Work began at the south tunnel portal and will advance north at a projected rate of 3 – 4 feet per day.
  • Tunnel excavation occurs on a 24/7 timeline with truck hauling occurring during daytime hours.
 

For more information

 



#10 CNJRoss

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 07:45 PM

Sound Transit 3/27/17:
 

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Project update: East Link Extension, I-90

 

 

Getting across Lake Washington

 

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Rendering of track bridge technology on the I-90 floating bridge

 

As part of the East Link light rail extension, Sound Transit is doing something that’s never been done before – placing light rail on a floating bridge. To safely transition light rail vehicles from the I-90 land bridge to the floating bridge, engineers and designers had to consider a number of factors including six different ranges of motion from Lake Washington: up and down, back and forth and side to side.

 

What did we do?
To come up with a solution, Sound Transit designed and tested a “track bridge.” The track bridge includes having the rails rest on a series of bearings and plates allowing them to move with changing lake levels and bridge movements. Sound Transit partnered with Parsons Brinckerhoff and Jesse Engineering of Tacoma to design and build two full-scale prototypes. The materials for the track bridges can be found “on the shelf,” eliminating the need for custom materials.

 

Passing the Test
The two track bridge prototypes, along with two Link light rail vehicles, were shipped for testing to the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colo. Once there, Sound Transit was able to mimic the forces and movements the track bridges will experience during normal and extreme conditions.

 

After collecting more than 500 channels of data during each light rail vehicle pass, the track bridges passed all critical test criteria with the ability to provide safe and comfortable light rail operations at planned speeds up to 55 mph the maximum operating speed for Link light rail. 

 

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Testing the track bridge at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO

 

Want to learn more? Click here to check out a video detailing this cool technology.

 

For more information

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