As the regional mass transit system approved by voters in 1996 comes together, Sound Transit is in the process of determining how that system will grow over the next 25 years. On Mon., Jan. 10, Sound Transit kicked off a series of 10 public meetings to gather comment on a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Study (SEIS) on options for expanding our system between now and 2030.

“This is an incredibly important time for our region as Sound Transit updates its Long Range Plan created in 1996,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. “And, over the next three weeks, the public is encouraged to get involved in the process and let us know what they want the system to look like in the future.”

“The Long Range Plan will set the stage for Sound Transit to work with elected leaders and citizens throughout the region to determine what new projects will begin to extend the mass transit system created by 1996’s Sound Move vote,” added Ladenburg.

“In the next 25 years, population estimates predict the Puget Sound region will grow by 1.2 million. Picture everyone who lives in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon moving in among us,” Ladenburg said. “If we want to preserve mobility and a good quality of life for ourselves and our children we must continue including mass transit projects in our preparations for future growth.”

The projects voters approved in 1996 were the first phase of the Long Range Plan that Sound Transit is now working to update. The Draft SEIS will help update the plan based on current and projected growth patterns, travel volumes, and other updated information. The plan will play a key role in the public’s review of options for the future, including a second round of voter-approved projects.

The Draft SEIS addresses potential transit system alternatives throughout the urban areas of Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, including extensions of rail or other mass transit projects from Seattle to Bellevue and East King County, North Seattle to Everett, SeaTac to Tacoma, and along the I-405 corridor.

Sound Transit will gather public comment on the Draft SEIS until Jan. 31. In addition to the meetings, members of the public can also submit comments by sending them to 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.

For more information, visit the following links:

http://www.soundtransit.org/projects/longrange/ – Long Range Planning at Sound Transit

http://www.stphase2.org/documents/1996_Vision_Map_handout.pdf – Map of 1996 Long Range Plan

http://www.soundtransit.org/projects/longrange/finalseis.asp – Draft SEIS

The public meetings are scheduled for the below times and locations:

Seattle
5-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10
Sound Transit Board Room
401 S. Jackson St.

Bellevue
5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12
Bellevue First Congregational Church
700 108th Ave. N.E.

Shoreline
5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13
Shoreline Conference Center
18560 1st Ave. N.E.

Everett
5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18
Everett Station
3201 Smith Ave.

Tacoma
5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave.

Lakewood
5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20
Lakewood City Hall
6000 Main St. S.W.

Federal Way
5-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24
Federal Way Regional Library
34200 1st Way S.

Lynnwood
5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25
Lynnwood High School Cafeteria
3001 184th Street S.W.

Issaquah
5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26
King County Libraries Service Center
960 Newport Way N.W.

Auburn
5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27
Auburn City Council Chambers
25 W. Main