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Sound Transit presents draft EIS for Tacoma Link extension; Milton faces potential property, wetland and traffic impacts
Summary
Sound Transit outlined four alignment options in the draft environmental impact statement for the Tacoma Link extension, including two alignments (99 East and 99 West) that would run through Milton and could cause residential and business displacements, wetland impacts and left-turn restrictions on Pacific Highway (SR 99).
Sound Transit officials on Jan. 13 told the Milton City Council study session that the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Tacoma Link extension is open for public comment through Feb. 10 and includes alignment and station options that could affect Milton.
"We are in the draft EIS phase," said Austin Nielsen, Government and Community Relations, Sound Transit, describing a process that began with early scoping in 2018 and added alternatives in 2023 after tribal consultation and environmental analysis. The Federal Transit Administration published the draft EIS on Dec. 13, 2024, and Sound Transit is accepting comment during a 60-day period.
The project would extend approximately 10 miles with four new stations and is currently at about 10% design, Nielsen said. Sound Transit estimates 24,000 to 36,000 daily riders on the extension and forecasts an opening in 2035 if the current schedule holds.
Cathy Liotta, project…
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