Tacoma Link Expansion Update

Today Sound Transit presented at the Tacoma City Council’s Study Session regarding the Tacoma Link expansion. We discussed the expansion and potential routes previously on the BIA blog.

From the six alternative corridors, Sound Transit identified three routes that rank the highest according to the six identified project goals. Project goals include the following:

1. Improve mobility and transportation access for Tacoma residents and visitors
2. Increase transit ridership within the City of Tacoma
3. Serve underserved neighborhoods and communities in the City of Tacoma
4. Use transit to spur economic development and other types of investments
5. Ensure that the project is environmentally sensitive and sustainable
6. Establish a project that is competitive for federal funding

The three routes were B1 North End Central, C1 Eastside, and E1 North Downtown Central. See map below.

Additionally, high ridership and economic development are top priorities for the Council. Councilman Robert Thoms noted that at a minimum, transit should move people and goods, suggesting that those particular routes that offer the highest ridership should be considered.

According to the Sound Transit review, both the B1 North End Central and E1 North Downtown Central corridors had a ridership response of 3.0- 3.5 million each year. This number assumes that Sound Transit will require a fee to ride the Link. The Link is currently free to ride.

Over the coming weeks, the Council seeks to make a route recommendation to the Sound Transit Board. If a route is identified, the environmental review will begin in May. For more information on how you may participate in the discussion, visit Sound Transit’s website.

Murray Morgan Bridge Closed Through Monday

Starting tonight, Thursday, February 21 at 9 PM, the Murray Morgan Bridge located at the intersection of 11^th and A Street in downtown Tacoma, will be completely closed off to vehicle traffic and pedestrians through Monday, February 25^th at 6 AM. Contractors will be using large cranes that take up the entire road to rebalance the structure. The bridge will be open for marine traffic with a two hour notification according to City officials.

The bridge also had a single lane closure that began Monday, February 18 through today in order to allow for minor finishing touches, such as work platform removal and the installation of windows and doors in the operator’s house.

The bridge officially reopened last week after being closed to traffic since 2007. 

For more information visit the City’s website

Murray Morgan Bridge is Open

After more than two years closed, Tacoma's Murray Morgan Bridge opened without ceremony on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. But the vital transportation link between the Port of Tacoma and downtown Tacoma will not be without fanfare. 

The Cty of Tacoma is hosting Murray Morgan Bridge Week, Feb. 11-16, with featured discounts at local businesses.  A 5k Light The Bridge Fun Run is being held on Thursday, Feb. 14 (register here).

A Centennial Celebration  will be held on Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. that will feature speeches from local elected officials and a processional across the newly opened Murray Morgan Bridge. Downtown On the Go is coordinating the multi-modal processional that will include bicycles, pedestrians, LeMay Museum cars and historical Pierce Transit buses. Contact dotg@tacomachamber.org if you are interested in participating.

Getting to the celebration

The Murray Morgan Bridge is located near the intersection of  11th and A Street in downtown Tacoma, easily accessible by many modes of transportation. Parking is limited, find your options on the celebration website.

Read more about the Murray Morgan Bridge.