Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station Opened
The ribbon cutting for the opening of the eagerly anticipated Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station took place Thursday, March 17th. Over 100 people attended.
"The freeway station is a great amenity for transit riders," said Councilmember Dave Gossett, who also serves as chair of Community Transit. "Sound Transit is to be congratulated for completing this important link in the regional transit system."
The $35 million Sound Transit project received funding from Sound Transit, the Federal Transit Administration, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus funding), and the Washington State Department of Transportation. Planning assistance was provided by the City of Mountlake Terrace and Community Transit.
The station is located on the freeway median, which allows buses to stop to pick up and drop off passengers as the buses travel by on I-5. A pedestrian bridge connects the station to the Community Transit parking facility where parking for 900 cars is available. Bike lockers and security features, including lighting and cameras, are also featured at the facility.
"This is a great example of how agencies work together to make good use of taxpayer dollars," said Gossett. "Community Transit and Sound Transit planned since the beginning for how these two facilities could work together to provide the highest possible level of service and efficiency."
For the first time transit riders at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center will have all-day, seven-day-a-week Sound Transit service. In addition to improvements to Sound Transit service, Community Transit will increase service as well.
"Between Community Transit and Sound Transit the number of buses travelling to and from Seattle will more than triple," noted Gossett. "In addition, there will now be a direct link via I-5 to Lynnwood and Everett."
Community Transit will see savings in both money and time since southbound buses will no longer have to exit at 220th to reach the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center. Two existing commuter routes will be eliminated as passengers in the future will be able to board buses that previously drove past the transit center on the freeway.
"The net result is that Community Transit can cut costs and still provide service for the same passengers," said Gossett. "Given the additional cuts the board will need to make in 2012 the ability to be more efficient is an important step toward long term financial sustainability."
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| Councilmember and Community Transit Chair Dave Gossett discusses improved bus service |
