Link light rail
 |
|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Seattle metropolitan area |
| Transit type | Light rail |
| Number of lines | 2 existing 2 under construction |
| Number of stations | 21 existing 13 under construction 9 approved |
| Daily ridership | 68,856 (May 2016, weekdays) |
| Operation | |
| Began operation |
Tacoma Link: August 22, 2003 Central Link: July 18, 2009 |
| Operator(s) | Sound Transit |
| Technical | |
| System length | 20.35 miles (32.75 km) |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Electrification |
Tacoma Link: 750 V DC, overhead catenary Central Link: 1500 V DC, overhead catenary |
The Link light rail is a rapid transit rail system in the Seattle metropolitan area of Washington State, being designed, built and operated by the region's mass transportation agency, Sound Transit. Currently the system consists of two separate lines: Tacoma Link, a streetcar line operating in downtown Tacoma and Central Link, a light rail line operating between the University of Washington in Seattle and the Angle Lake station in SeaTac, Washington. Extensions are being planned or constructed that will bring light rail north to Lynnwood, east to Redmond and south to Kent and Des Moines.
The initial system was approved and funded by voters under the "Sound Move" ballot measure passed in November 1996. Further expansion of the system was approved and funded by voters under the "Sound Transit 2" ballot measure passed in 2008, and the Sound Transit 3 program in 2016. By 2040, the system is expected to grow to over 112 miles (180 km) of track.
In November 1996, voters in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties approved increases in sales taxes and vehicle excise taxes to pay for a US$3.9 billion transit package that included $1.7 billion for a light rail system, including Central Link and Tacoma Link. Over the next several years, debates raged over various issues surrounding the Central Link line.
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