City plans ambitious transit expansion to boost local economy

In a recent government meeting, officials outlined ambitious plans for the expansion of public transit in Everett, focusing on the development of a new route along the Blue Line corridor. The proposed route will begin at Everett Station, travel west along Pacific Avenue, and then turn north on Hoyt Avenue. From there, it will continue east onto Everett Avenue and proceed north on Broadway, ultimately reaching Marysville.

The project aims to connect to the Cascade Industrial Center, an area experiencing significant growth, including the construction of a large Amazon warehouse. Three potential route options—western, central, and eastern—are being considered to facilitate this connection, all leading to 51st Avenue in the northern part of Marysville.

Additionally, the plan includes a future expansion dotted line that may realign with the SWIFT Gold Line to better align with land use plans in Arlington, which focus on increasing density and establishing a center of excellence in collaboration with Washington State University.

The discussions also touched on the rationale behind selecting Hoyt Avenue as a key corridor for the transit route, emphasizing the need to evaluate various north-south options through downtown Everett. This initiative reflects a strategic effort to enhance public transportation infrastructure while accommodating anticipated job growth and urban development in the region.