The Sound Transit light rail station at South 200th Street in SeaTac may open four to six years ahead of schedule in 2016, according to officials.
King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, who represents Des Moines, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila and also sits on the Sound Transit Executive Committee, described the rail line as "long overdue."
Interstate 5 is currently used over its capacity, she said, causing frequent congestion during which vehicles often move at average speeds of 15-30 miles per hour,--far below posted limits.
Patterson said that the light rail line would provide "an alternative to driving in that." The trip from the new station to downtown Seattle will take 38 minutes, she added, "whether or not there's a Mariners game."
However, starting the project will require gathering $34 million in grants. Bruce Gray, a Sound Transit spokesman, said that the agency will likely be able to present a finalized timeline in spring of 2011.
Much of their hope rests on the appropriation of a federal TIGER II job creation grant, which could cover about 11 percent of the total costs, Patterson said.
According to Gray, Sound Transit is pushing to expand the southern end of the line because the environmental surveys have already been completed for the area.
Gray said that Sound Transit will also collaborate with other involved organizations, such as the Port of Seattle, to identify potential grants from every possible source.
"We're working closely with everyone involved," he said.
Neither Gray nor Patterson could predict the odds of securing sufficient funds. If the project does go ahead, Patterson said, numerous construction jobs will be added, for both the track and the accompanying parking garage.
Additionally, the station will provide "a good chance to expand the line and pick up passengers," said Gray. It will offer access to connecting bus lines, bike lanes, and improvements for pedestrians.
If the station is completed early, the timeline for constructing other stations further south will not change.
