Link to Remain Fare Free

This past Thursday, the Sound Transit Board voted unanimously to defer the implementation of per- ride fees for the Tacoma Link.  The postponement of fee collection was made possible through a $29,000 annual donation made by the Tacoma Business Improvement Area.  In order to keep customer foot traffic and business patronage in the downtown area high, the BIA has offered this donation to offset Sound Transit’s projected lost net revenues for the year. 

Without the BIA’s donation, the transit agency would have begun charging $1 per adult ride on the Link to offset the cost of running the 1.5 mile line.  Both Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the BIA believe the implementation of a per-ride fee makes more sense once the planned Link expansion in the Hilltop and Stadium districts is complete (estimated for a 2022 completion).  The current arrangement will allow hundreds of thousands people to continue riding the Link for free in the foreseeable future.

For additional information, visit the Tacoma News Tribune here, view the Sound Transit's press release here, or read the Business Examiner's coverage here.

Keeping Link Fare Free (for now)

Without getting into too many details, Sound Transit is considering allowing the Downtown Tacoma BIA an opportunity to continue annual payments to keep the Link free until the extension is complete.  (Details if you really want them.)  This will avoid a potentially significant drop in ridership that would impact all of downtown.

Under previous agreements, a fare of $1.50 per ride is planned for implementation later this fall.  Should no adjustments be made, Sound Transit's projections suggest an approximate 25 percent drop in ridership.  Meanwhile, Atlanta began charging for its similarly sized downtown system in January and has seen an average 48 percent drop in ridership during the first quarter (link: Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

Can you imagine how much downtown Tacoma would change if somewhere between 200,000 and 500,000 trips were by car instead?  Or what if those trips never happened at all?  Would you still head down the street for lunch at Indochine or Savor? Would someone attending a concert at the Tacoma Dome still decide to stay at the Marriott or Murano?  Both history and projections say that hundreds of thousands of people will say "no."

Once the extension of the Link is complete it will look and feel more like a standard transit line having more than doubled its length and connecting multiple neighborhoods.  Unfortunately, some people feel the Link should be charged for now in part specifically to reduce the number of riders (link: The News Tribune ).

Resident Engagement this Week - Be Informed, Give Input, and Have Some Fun!

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

That phrase is actually an old proverb, but you probably know it as the sentence that Jack types over and over again during his psychotic break in the movie The Shining. If you are the literary type, you might remember the phrase shows up in Jack Kerouac’s novel Big Sur.

Well, don’t worry, nothing that heavy or scary here - just a full week of ways to have fun and to “go to work” as an engaged citizen in downtown Tacoma.

Because, all play and no work make Tacoma a dull place.

Bike Train: Bike Me Out to the Ballgame

June 24, 2015 at 5:30 pm

​The Bike Committee is going to bike train from downtown to Cheney Stadium to watch the Tacoma Rainiers play the Reno Aces. The game starts at 7:05 and anyone who bikes to the game gets a special ticket rate of $11.50, which gets you a seat, a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a bottle of water.  Just tell them at the ticket counter that you biked to the game. If you want to join the bike train, meet at S. 11^th and Pacific Avenue.

ST-3 Tacoma Open House

June 24, 2015 at 5:30 pm

Good and plenty of public transit is an important factor for a thriving urban region. You can show up at this open house and give your input to The Sound Transit Board on which projects they should study as final candidates for the ST3 public vote that could be happening as soon as November 2016. The presentation will begin at 6 pm and the open house will take place at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center at 1500 Broadway.

Public Hearing on Draft of Paid Leave Rules

June 25, 2015 at 10:00 am

You have probably heard by now and I will likely be writing more about this soon, but beginning  in February 2016, Tacoma employers will be required to provide up to 24 hours of Paid Leave annually to employees within the City of Tacoma. You can read about the paid leave rules and regulations that have been drafted for review at cityoftacoma.org/paidleave. You can attend the public hearing, and provide your feedback at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch – Olympic Room at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South.

1st Annual Tacoma Waterfront Crab Feed

June 25, 2015 at 5:30 pm

If you are allergic to crab, well, I feel really bad for you and you definitely shouldn’t go to this event. But, for the rest of you – strap on your bib and join the Tacoma Waterfront Association (TWA) this Friday for the first ever Waterfront Crab Feed fundraiser at the Foss Waterway Seaport at 705 Dock Street.

Beyond eating all the crab you can, there will be chances to bid on or win prizes at the silent auction, raffles, and a ring toss. This fundraiser will be an opportunity to highlight Tacoma’s waterfront and the community and businesses within it. The event will feature prominent figures in the waterfront speaking to the latest activities and plans for the future of Tacoma’s waterfront. This fundraiser will help TWA continue its mission of making the waterfront enjoyable and accessible.

You can get your tickets now at: TWA-CrabFeed.brownpapertickets.com!

Breaking News - $75 million Federal Grant for Tacoma Link Expansion in 2016 Budget Proposal

Sound Transit just announced that the The Tacoma Link may be receiving a $75 million federal grant in fiscal year 2016. This comes as great news for local downtown businesses who want the Tacoma Link to grow and facilitate ridership to the downtown corridor. Easier access means economic growth for our region.This federal grant, also known as the Small Starts grant would act as a supplement to local tax revenues and other grants needed for construction of the 2.4 mile light rail expansion.

The Obama Administration proposed this federal grant supporting $74.99 federal funding and would provide the single largest funding for extending the Tacoma Link light rail line.Although, it does not end there this budget must next be approved by Congress. In 2008 voters approved the expansion of Tacoma Link in the 2 ballot measure and the Sound Transit Board has been diligently coalition building. 

Currently Sound Transit and the City have worked together to secure $13 million in grants for the City's contribution to the project. The 2.4-mile voter approved expansion requires approximately $75 million in Small Starts funding, $50 million in ST2 revenues, and $40 million from the City of Tacoma who is a key partner in the project. This alignment would expand the Tacoma Link from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop districts with seven proposed stations. The Board is scheduled to review a final alignment and station locations this spring. 

Tacoma Link Expansion on the Horizon

There is an expansion of the Tacoma Link on the horizon which comes as great news for the Tacoma-Pierce County region! At the beginning of January Sound Transit's Capital Committee officially launched Phase 3 of the Tacoma Link expansion project that should be complete at the end of 2015.

Sound Transit approved the contract for $1.7m with CH2m Hill, Inc to provide engineering services. This preliminary engineering process will bring the Tacoma Link Expansion project to 30% design. The engineers will begin to review additional design specification for the final construction. 

The BIA is excited for this project and what it can mean for our local business. Furthering our public transit in the City of Tacoma will continue to connect the city and bring visitors into the downtown region.  We will be following this story as more information is announced. 

Council Briefing on Hybrid Link Expansion Tomorrow

There has been much discussion on the Tacoma City Council’s preferred expansion of the Sound Transit Tacoma Link. Tomorrow, the Council will hear Sound Transit’s evaluation of a hybrid corridor introduced last month that would incorporate different portions of the original proposed routes from the North End Central, Eastside, and North Downtown Central corridors.
Additionally, Sound Transit will also present information on a different hybrid option.

The Council plans to form a resolution on April 30 in support of a preferred route. For more information, visit the City Council’s website.

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.

Tacoma Link Expansion Update

Yesterday Sound Transit presented at the Tacoma City Council Study Session regarding potential expansion routes for the Tacoma Link. The Chamber has previously discussed alternative corridors for the expansion of the 1.6 mile long Tacoma Link light rail line. The Tacoma Link expansion process has included numerous opportunities for public input, including meetings with various stakeholders, open houses, online surveys, distributed mailings, roundtable discussions, media articles, and business district and neighborhood council briefings. Through this process have emerged six possible corridors that would expand on the current light rail that begins at the Tacoma Dome Station and ends in the Theatre District.

The six corridors were identified (see map) as follows:

• B1- North End Central- 6^th Avenue to Union Avenue via Stadium Way and Division Street
• C1- Eastside- 48^th and Portland Avenue via E 25^th Street
• D4- South End via Eastside- Tacoma Mall via Portland Avenue, 38^th/48^th Street
• E1- North Downtown Central- 19^th and Martin Luther King Jr Way via Stadium Way and Division Street
• E2- North Downtown Central Loop- A variant of E1 with a downtown loop component on Jefferson Street
• G1- Pacific Highway- Extending from Fife to the Tacoma Dome station

Noted in the presentation were the approximate costs and length of each corridor, as well as the pros and cons associated with each route. A recurring theme of several of the City council members was how each corridor would contribute to the City’s economic development.

The B1 route would link downtown with the busy 6^th Avenue business district, potentially attracting many riders and providing faster service to the Tacoma Dome. The area surrounding this route is also already zoned to support higher density mixed use development, all important factors to consider. The C1 route would also provide faster service from the eastside to both the Tacoma Dome and downtown, however a high ridership for the area is questionable and the current zoning is not supportive of higher density mixed use development.

Tacoma Link Expansion Survey

Sound Transit, along with the City of Tacoma and Pierce Transit, have identified six corridor alternatives regarding the expansion of the 1.6 mile long Tacoma Link light rail line. These corridors were chosen based on the following important criteria: 

• Improve connections to regional transit
• Increase transit ridership and reduce car use
• Connect to an existing neighborhood or major activity center
• Improve transit service between downtown Tacoma and at least one neighborhood
• Serve existing or proposed areas of high density housing or jobs
• Serve an area that is home to many low-income and/or minority residents, or has received relatively low infrastructure investments
• Connect to an existing mixed-use center or a designated manufacturing/industrial center
• Avoid major costly engineering challenges, such as corridors with steep elevation grades

As such, six corridors were identified (see map):

• B1- 6^th Avenue to Union Avenue via Stadium Way and Division Street
• E1- 19^th and Martin Luther King Jr Way via Stadium Way and Division Street
• C1- 48^th and Portland Avenue via E 25^th Street
• G1- Pacific Highway
• D4- Tacoma Mall via Portland Avenue, 38^th/48^th Street
• E2- A variant of E1 with a downtown loop component on Jefferson Street

Next steps include opportunities for public input and analyzing data regarding potential ridership, square footage, development potential, and capital costs. From there, the list will be whittled down to two potential corridors, followed by additional public comment leading to a preferred alternative to be presented to the Sound Transit Board in April.

To help in this process, Sound Transit would like your feedback. Please fill out their brief survey.

LINK Extension Open House

Just last year downtown Tacoma welcomed another LINK light rail stop to Commerce.  While this stop adds a number of potential new riders to the system, it would pale in comparison to an expansion of the link into another part of town with jobs, attractions, and people.

Sound Transit continues to evaluate potential expansion options for LINK as it moves forward on the alternatives analysis.  Most recently, the Chamber joined with other stakeholders to prepare a report on potential alternatives that was delivered in January of 2011.

Tomorrow is another opportunity to hear the updated schedule on Sound Transit's plans for this long discussed extension.  For a comprehensive history dating back to a 2004 expansion study, please visit Sound Transit's Tacoma Link Expansion page.  From the press release:

Sound Transit to host open houses on Tacoma Link expansion

August 21, 2012
Public invited to provide input on possible transit corridor and mode options for expanding Tacoma Link system
Sound Transit will conduct two open houses on Wednesday, August 22 as part of an early scoping process to solicit options for expanding the 1.6-mile Tacoma Link system that now operates between the Tacoma Dome and Theater District stations.

The events will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the People's Community Center at 1602 South Martin Luther King Jr. Way and from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Station Plaza at 424 East 25th Street.

[Full release here]

Pacific Avenue Reopened

Commuters can now get from one end of downtown Tacoma to the other on Pacific Avenue, thanks to an earlier than expected opening of our main street in association with Sound Transit's D-to-M Street Project. Vehicles, transit, bicycles and pedestrians all have access to the roadway, including safe crosswalks and new sidewalks.

Beginning Tuesday, March 20, 2012, A Street will be closed between 25th and 26th streets and will not reopen. This section will be re-graded and re-paved to serve as a pedestrian and bicycle underpass.

According to Sound Transit, work still to be completed includes:
- Solidifying the rail bed and lay track from D to M Streets
- Completing the Pacific Avenue rail bridge
- Installing new crossing gates, signals, and other safety equipment along the rail line
- Building a new pedestrian underpass on A Street
- Re-paving South Tacoma Way and make improvements to South C Street
- Providing landscaping to the area

The bridge will also undergo a paint job before it's officially done. The final phase of construction for the project is anticipated to be completed, with trains running to South Tacoma and Lakewood, by fourth quarter 2012.


Local members of the Sound Transit Board prepare to tour the project after the opening of Pacific Ave.


Crews are still doing work on South Tacoma Way but Pacific Avenue is open to all traffic.

Be Downtown Campaign

Our Tacoma LINK is all dressed up for the holidays (though the action photo above doesn't do it justice).  In addition to the LINK makeover, there is a larger campaign to encourage customers to "Eat. Shop. Do. Skate." downtown.  This is part of Sound Transit's mitigation work associated with the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue as the Sounder commuter rail looks to expand.

(more below...)

D to M Street Construction Update

Sound Transit continues work on the D to M Street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood. For the week of Feb. 16-23, you can expect to see on the D-to-M Streets Track and Signal Project:

Utilities
Qwest continues doing work to transfer underground utilities on East D Street, and will then move to South 25th and South C Street to work on aerial utilities. This shoulder work will not require any lane closures.

Click will be rerouting and pulling fiber from South C Street to South Tacoma Way and end up on Delin Street. No traffic control is needed for this work.

Tacoma Water will patch pavement on South Tacoma Way from approximately the former Star Fuel and Ice driveway to the Tacoma Avenue Bridge. This will require an inside northbound lane closure on South Tacoma Way. Traffic will be maintained in each direction.

D-to-M Streets construction work
Crews working for Sound Transit closed East C Street from East 25th Street to East 26th Street for roadway and street improvements. This week crews will begin installing storm pipe on East C Street, demolishing pavement, and beginning excavation. The closure is expected to last until April 1. East D Street and Pacific Avenue will remain open as main arterials.

Continued work on A Street between South 26th and South 25th for sewer line work. This work involves excavation of A Street and installation of sewer pipe. A Street will reopen prior to the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months.

Installation of temporary signals at South 27th and A Street, and South 27th and Pacific Avenue. Temporary lane or shoulder closures will be in place for this work on South 27th and A Street.

Continued work between Delin Street and South Tacoma Way. Crews are installing piles for the shoring wall and will begin excavation for the future traffic detour during the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months. Temporary lane closures on South Tacoma Way and Delin Street are needed to do this work. Traffic will be maintained in both directions.

Storm work at the corner of South C Street and South Tacoma Way will require traffic control on both streets into early March.

D to M Street Construction Update

Sound Transit continues work on the D to M Street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood.For the week of Feb. 9-16, you can expect to see the following work on the D-to-M Streets Track and Signal Project:

Utilities
• Qwest continues work for a few more weeks to transfer underground utilities on East D Street.

• Level 3 Communications Company is working on a fiber optic line in the vicinity of 27th and Delin Street.

D-to-M Streets construction work
• Crews working for Sound Transit closed East C Street from East 25th Street to East 26th Street for roadway and street improvements. This week crews will begin installing storm pipe on C Street. The closure is expected to last until April 1. East D Street and Pacific Avenue will remain open as main arterials. Doing this work now, rather than later as originally slated, will help to complete the project sooner.

• Continued work on A Street between South 26th and South 25th for sewer line work. This work involves excavation of A Street and installation of sewer pipe. A Street will reopen in April prior to the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months.

• Installation of temporary lighting and signals at South 27th and A Street, and South 24th and A Street. Temporary lane or shoulder closures will be in place for this work on South 27th and A Street.

• Continued work between Delin Street and South Tacoma Way. Crews are installing piles for the shoring wall that is part of the temporary bypass for the future traffic detour during the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months. Temporary lane closures on South Tacoma Way and Delin Street are needed for this work to take place.

• Building abatement will occur for the buildings slated for demolition for a few weeks.

• Storm work will take place at the corner of South C Street and South Tacoma Way. There will be traffic control on both South C Street and South Tacoma Way during this work, which will take place until the end of February.

D to M Street Construction Update

Sound Transit has begun work on the D to M Street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood. For the week of Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, you can expect to see on the D-to-M Streets Track and Signal Project:

Utilities
• Qwest will be doing work on East D Street for about a month to transfer underground utilities. This will require traffic control but no closures on East D Street.
• Level 3 Communications company will be working on South C Street between South Tacoma Way and South 25th with a shoulder closure that will not affect traffic.
• Tacoma Power will work during the day on Sunday and will set up some traffic control on East 26th Street.

D-to-M Streets construction work
• Continued work on A Street between South 26th and South 25th for sewer line work. This work involves excavation of A Street and installation of sewer pipe. A Street will reopen in April prior to the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months.
• Excavation of a temporary storm retention pond in a Sound Transit-owned lot between A Street and Pacific Avenue. Trucks carrying material will enter and exit from South 26th Street.
• Installation of temporary wood poles for upcoming temporary lighting and signals at the corners of South 24th Street and A Street, South 27th and A Street, and South 27th and Pacific Avenue.
• Continued clearing work between Delin Street and South Tacoma Way. After that work is complete, crews will begin constructing the temporary traffic bypass for a future traffic detour during the temporary closure of Pacific Avenue for 11 months.
• Traffic control will be set up on South 27th Street between Pacific Avenue and A Street for detour street improvements.

Sound Transit Updates: D to M Construction & Open House

D to M Street Construction:
Sound Transit has begun work on the D to M Street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood. For the week of Jan. 5 to Jan. 12, 2011, here's what you can expect from the D-to-M Street construction:

• Continued utility relocation work at the corner of A Street and South 26th Street.
• Build street improvements along A Street between South 26th and South 27th streets, which will become a future detour route when Pacific Avenue is temporarily closed.
• Work with Tacoma Water on South 26th Street between East C Street and Pacific Ave.

During this work, traffic control will be set up along A and South 26th streets. Traffic will be maintained in both directions, and the northbound ramp to Interstate 5 will be maintained at all times via South 27th Street. A police officer will continue to monitor the intersection of A Street and South 26th Street.

Please be aware that beginning Jan. 13, A Street between South 26th and South 25th will be temporarily closed for sewer line work.

For more information contact Erin Hunter: 206-370-5511 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org. If you know others who would benefit from these electronic updates, please invite them to sign up at www.soundtransit.org/subscribe.

Sounder Station Open House:
In January, Sound Transit will host a series of open houses in South Sound communities to present information on the Sounder Station Access Planning Study. The agency is conducting the study to identify potential improvements in the ways commuters access its Sounder stations.

Possible improvements the agency is studying include increased parking, pedestrian sidewalks, crosswalks and bridges, bicycle commute options, and transit facility enhancements.

Open houses will include:
• A description of Sound Transit service areas, transit routes, 2011 budget, and the Sound Transit 2 program
• Objectives of and timeline for the Sounder Station Access Planning Study
• Overview of existing station access issues and discussion of potential solutions
• Informal Q & A and public comment

Tacoma Open House - Tuesday, Jan. 18, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
University of Washington -Tacoma
Jane Russell Commons
1918 Pacific Avenue

For a complete list of open house dates and locations visit the Sound Transit website.

Sound Transit Construction Update

Sound Transit has begun work on the D to M street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood.

For the week of Dec. 29, 2010, to Jan. 5, 2011, you can expect to see on the D-to-M Streets Track and Signal Project:


• Trenching to install utilities down A Street to South 26th Street.

• Additional utility relocation work will follow at the corner of A Street and South 26th Street.

• After utility relocation work is complete, crews will begin making street improvements to A Street between South 26th and South 27th streets, which will become a future detour route when Pacific Avenue is temporarily closed.

During this work, traffic control will be set up along A and South 26th streets. Traffic will be maintained in both directions, and the northbound ramp to Interstate 5 will be maintained at all times.

As construction moves at a rapid pace, here is what you can expect during the month of January. These will include but are not limited to:

• Waterline work in the vicinity of Pacific Avenue, South 25th and South 27th streets in preparation for the closure and excavation of Pacific Avenue.

• Closure of A Street between South 26th and South 25th in mid- to late January 2011 until April 2011 for sewer line work.

• Traffic Signal work at various intersections in the project vicinity, in preparation for the Pacific Avenue Detour.

• Construction of a temporary eastbound (toward Pacific Avenue) detour bypass beside South Tacoma Way.

Beginning in January, Sound Transit will offer a monthly coffee hour. You are invited to stop in and learn about construction. Meetings will be the third Tuesday of every month from 8 to 9 a.m. at Leila’s Deli, 402 E. 26th St., Tacoma. Please feel free to join us at the next coffee hour on Tuesday, Jan. 18, or contact me with any questions at 206-370-5511 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org. If you know others who would benefit from these electronic updates, please invite them to sign up at www.soundtransit.org/subscribe.

Construction continues on Pacific Ave.

Sound Transit has begun work on the D to M street Track and Signal Project connecting Sounder trains from Tacoma Dome Station to Lakewood.

For the weeks of Dec. 16-29, on the D-to-M Streets Track and Signal Project you can expect to see trenching across the intersection of A and South 26th streets. Crews will start from the north and work toward the south and construct the north half on Thursday, Dec. 16, and Friday, Dec. 17. No construction will take place over the weekend. The south half will then be constructed on Monday, Dec. 20, and Tuesday, Dec. 21. Both sides will be repaved and back to the existing roadway by end of day Tuesday, Dec. 21.

On Wednesday, Dec. 22, crews will move up to South 27th Street and begin working from south to north. Crews will be trenching east across A Street from South 27th Street and down A Street to South 26th Street. Parking spots on A Street between 26th and 27th Streets are closed starting today.

During this work, at least one lane of traffic in both directions will be maintained for traffic along South 26th and South 27th streets, the northbound ramp to Interstate 5 will be maintained at all times, and businesses are open for your patronage!

For more information on the D to M project visit Sound Transit’s website, http://www.soundtransit.org/x8955.xml

Sound Transit's D-to-M Streets Project Open House this Thursday

Big changes are coming to downtown as Sound Transit prepares to begin construction on the extension of the Sounder commuter rail service to Lakewood from Tacoma. Sound Transit will soon lay new track between East D and South M streets, resulting in street closures and traffic detours. Construction is expected to start in fall 2010 and conclude in fall of 2012.

Perhaps the biggest impact on downtown will involve the closure of Pacific Ave. for the construction of a railroad bridge that will enable a continual flow of traffic once the rail line is complete.

Find yourself wanting more information on this very significant project? Attend the...

D-to-M Streets Project Open House

Thursday, November 4th
Visit anytime between 4:00-7:00pm
Milgard Family Assembly Room,
Philip Hall ~ UWT
1918 Pacific Avenue

At the Open House, information will be available on:
- Construction schedule, phasing, detours, and safety
- Sound Transit art program (STart)
- Sound Transit Proposed 2011 Budget

For more information, or to schedule a presentation with your group, contact Erin Hunter at 206-370-5511 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org, or visit the project website at www.soundtransit.org/DtoM.

Link to close later than planned for Biden visit

The Tacoma Link closure schedule has changed for Friday's visit by Vice President Joe Biden.  In coordination with the Vice President's visit Tacoma Link will not run starting at 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m..  Morning commuters parking at Tacoma Dome Station and riding link into downtown will still be able to do so on their regular schedules.

Check out our previous post for details on street closures and transit impacts.

Note that closure times and locations may change...it's the Vice President of the United States. Thanks for being flexible.

P.S.:  Received at 11:00 p.m., Thursday: 

The Tacoma Link closure schedule has changed for Friday's visit by Vice President Joe Biden.  In coordination with the Vice President's visit, Tacoma Link will not run starting at 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m..  Morning commuters parking at Tacoma Dome Station and riding link into downtown will still be able to do so on their regular schedules.