Light Rail Communities

Snohomish County Council

Public Works Committee
Informational Briefing
February 4, 2020
Background
• In 2016, voters approved
ST3

• Includes Everett Link

• Unincorporated
Snohomish County
stations:
• Ash Way
• Mariner
• SR 99/Airport Rd
(Provisional)
• 2036 completion
2 2/3/2020
Area Characteristics
• Located near the congested
128th/I-5 and 164th /I-5
interchanges
• Traffic forecasted to increase by
more than 25% on 128th and
164th
• Located in area with the highest
population density in
unincorporated county
• Is well-served by Community
Transit’s Swift Bus Rapid Transit
3 2/3/2020
Light Rail Communities
2015 - 2017 2018 - 2019 2019 - 2020 2021 - 2023

East/West Corridor
Feasibility

East/West 2023
Corridor Station Area Comprehensive
HCT Access Planning Plan Update
Study

Subarea Plan
4 2/3/2020
Process of Identifying
Options

5 2/3/2020
Station Location Options
• Two in the Mariner location
near 128th
- 8th Ave W
- 130th St

• Two in the Ash Way

location near 164th
- Ash Way Park and Ride
- 164th East of I-5
2/3/2020
6
8TH Ave Option

Parking
Station Location
Pedestrian Overcrossing

Central Park/Plaza

New Roads
130th St Option

Pedestrian Overcrossing Station Location Parking

New Ped/Bike Connection to

Central Park/Plaza Interurban Trail

New Transit Overcrossing of I-5

New 130th St
 Mariner Station - Option Comparison
130th Ave 8th Ave
• BRT travel time 10% faster
• Greater number of transfers from
Transit Access BRT to light rail • Estimated light rail ridership same for
• Estimated light rail ridership same for both
both

TOD • Estimated 19,423 potential dwelling • Estimated 19,834 potential dwelling

Opportunities units in walkable area - similar units in walkable area- similar

• Pedestrian environment - WalkScore • Pedestrian environment - WalkScore

Non-motorized 62, 15% higher 55
• Better access to Interurban Trail 9 2/3/2020
 Mariner Station - Option Comparison (continued)
130th Ave 8th Ave
• Sound Transit’s estimated costs are • Sound Transit’s estimated costs are
Cost the same for both the same for both

• More public support - 62% support

• Less public support - 20% support
Public Input from online open house
from online open house
• Strong support from agency partners

• Places the light rail station and

• Moves the light rail station away from
Other Factors congested 128th.
associated activity on congested
128th.
10 2/3/2020
 Ash Way Park & Ride Option
New Transit Connection to I-5

New Transit/Bike/Ped Overcrossing

Central Park/Plaza
Swift Orange Line Routed
Around I-5/164th Interchange

Station Location

Parking
 East of I-5 Option
Direct Access Ramp Completion to I-5
East Side Light Rail Alignment
New Transit/Bike/Ped Overcrossing

Swift Orange Line Routed Station Location

Around I-5/164th Interchange Parking

Central Park/Plaza

LRT Rail and Station Underground

New Interurban Trail Crossing

 Ash Way Station – Option Comparison
East of I-5 Ash Way Park and Ride
• Shorter BRT travel time shorter from • Shorter BRT travel time shorter from
Mill Creek Lynnwood
Transit Access • Estimated light rail ridership same for • Estimated light rail ridership same for
both both

TOD • Estimated 17,500 potential dwelling • Estimated 12,000 potential dwelling

Opportunities units in walkable area – 45% higher units in walkable area

• Pedestrian environment - WalkScore

• Pedestrian environment - WalkScore
Non-motorized 62, considerably higher
38
• Better access to Interurban Trail
13 2/3/2020
 Ash Way Station - Option Comparison (continued)

East of I-5 Ash Way Park and Ride

Cost • Sound Transit’s estimated costs would

be 5% less

• 36% public support from online open

• Greater support from public - 55%
Public Input house
public support from online open house
• Greater support from agency partners

• Could remove trips from the congested

164th/I-5 interchange.
Other Factors • Would be the only Everett Link light rail
station on the East side of I-5 14 2/3/2020
Schedule

15 2/3/2020
Schedule Today

16 2/3/2020
Schedule Comp Plan Adoption

17 2/3/2020
Schedule
Sound Transit
decision on
station location

18 2/3/2020
Possible Joint Council/Executive Resolution
• Support a station location on a new 130th St as the locally favored
option for the Mariner light rail station;

• Support a station location east of I-5 as the locally favored option for
the Ash Way light rail station;

• Support of use of these station locations for planning purposes

• Encourage Sound Transit to consider these locations as alternatives

in their Everett Link Extension alternatives analysis process;
19 2/3/2020
Urban Core Subarea Plan
Geographic Scope

• All unincorporated lands generally

within the large red dashed oval

• Both light rail stations areas

• State Route 99/Airport Road

Provisional Light Rail Station
20 2/3/2020
Urban Core Subarea Plan

• Detailed plan which Parks and Land Use and

Introduction
Recreation Zoning
will include specific
policies and maps.
Natural Public Services
• Specific sections will Housing
Environment and Utilities
cover both light rail
stations at Ash Way
and Mariner Economic
Transportation Implementation
Development

21 2/3/2020
Partnerships and Coordination
• City of Everett
• City of Mill Creek
• City of Mukilteo
• City of Lynnwood
• Sound Transit
• Community Transit
• Everett Transit
• WSDOT
• Alderwood Water and Wastewater
• Silverlake Water and Sewer
• Snohomish County PUD
• Sn0-Isle Library
• Everett Housing Authority
• Housing Consortium
• Housing Authority of Snohomish County
• Economic Alliance of Snohomish County
• Everett School District
• Mukilteo School District
• Edmonds School District
• Snohomish Health District
22 2/3/2020
Project Timeline
# Project/Task 2020 2021 2022 2023
1 Online Survey-Community Preferences & Vision March

2 Community Workshops-Growth & Land Use April

3 Prepare Subarea Plan

4 Community Workshops-Development Regulations Fall

5 Prepare Implementing Regulations

6 Public Engagement Opportunity TBD

7 Environmental Review*
8 Planning Commission Briefings and Hearing(s)
9 County Council Briefings and Hearing(s)
*In conjunction with the 2023 GMA Comprehensive Plan Update
23 2/3/2020
Dates subject to change
Project Contact Information

 Project C0-Managers: David Killingstad, Principal Planner, PDS

Jay Larson, Transportation Planning Coordinator,
DPW
 Email: LightRailComm@snoco.org

 Website: www.snohomishcountywa.gov/4068

 Mail: Light Rail Communities, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 607, Everett, WA
98201
24 2/3/2020