Form revised December 4, 2006

 

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

Department:

Contact Person/Phone:

DOF Analyst/Phone:

Seattle Department of Transportation

Calvin Chow 684-4652

Stephen Barham 733-9084

 

 

 

Legislation Title:

A RESOLUTION approving the alignment, station locations, and maintenance base location for Sound Transit’s Central Link Light Rail Line in the City of Seattle; and superseding the alignment, station locations, and maintenance base location approved in Resolution 30128.

 

·        Summary of the Legislation:  The Resolution approves the revised Sound Transit light rail alignment, station locations, and maintenance base location for City permitting purposes.  The revised alignment includes modifications of the extension of the light rail system from Downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill, the University of Washington, the University District, and the Roosevelt and Northgate neighborhoods.

 

·        Background:  In April 2000, City Council passed Resolution 30128, which approved Sound Transit’s original alignment for the Central Link Light Rail project from the University District to the south city limits, allowing Sound Transit to seek permits for the construction of the light rail system.  Due to project risks and cost considerations, Sound Transit limited the first phase of construction to the “Initial Segment” of light rail from Downtown Seattle to Tukwila, and decided to reevaluate alternatives for extending the system to the University District and Northgate (the North Link segment) through a supplemental EIS process.  The viability of the Portage Bay tunnel crossing to the University District and the cost and risk of the deep-mined First Hill station were key considerations for not moving forward with the original alignment.

 

During the environmental process, Sound Transit identified an alternative tunnel crossing under the Montlake Cut and determined that the First Hill station was not viable.  Sound Transit studied alternate ways for connecting the First Hill neighborhood to the light rail system, and developed a First Hill streetcar proposal which would connect First Hill to the Capitol Hill and International District stations.  The First Hill streetcar is included in the “Sound Transit 2” funding measure that will go before voters in November 2007.

 

In April 2006, the Sound Transit Board approved a revised alignment from Downtown Seattle to Northgate (the North Link alignment) and selected the Capitol Hill and University of Washington portion of the North Link alignment (to be named University Link) as the next segment for construction, which will be operated and constructed as part of the Central Link Light Rail project.  Sound Transit is proceeding with final design on University Link in 2007 and 2008, and will be applying for land use and construction permits.  City Council approval of the alignment is a precondition for permit approvals.  University Link is anticipated to begin service in 2016 and will be the highest ridership segment of the Central Link Light Rail system, adding an additional 70,000 daily boarding’s to the system.

 

The revised alignment reflects the following changes from the previous alignment approved by City Council Resolution 30128:

o       Includes an approved alignment from Northgate, through the Roosevelt District, to the University District;

o       Includes an elevated Northgate station spanning NE 103rd St (Northgate Station);

o       Includes a tunnel station in the Roosevelt District near 12th Ave NE (Roosevelt Station);

o       Relocates the northern University District tunnel station from the northwest corner of the UW campus to Brooklyn Ave (Brooklyn Station);

o       Relocates the Pacific tunnel station to a site near Husky Stadium (University of Washington Station);

o       Includes a tunnel alignment crossing of the Montlake Cut instead of Portage Bay;

o       Relocates the Capitol Hill tunnel station onto private property adjacent to Broadway (Capitol Hill Station);

o       Deletes the First Hill tunnel station;

o       Acknowledges that the Royal Brougham and Beacon Hill stations have been built;

o       Deletes the Graham station which was not funded and will not be built;  and

o       Reflects minor changes to the Initial Segment alignment made during design and construction.

 

·        Please check one of the following:

 

   X      This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)