Information For Tukwila Citizens
Service has begun on Sound Transit's new 13.9 mile Central Link light rail line. The trains began carrying passengers on July 18, 2009, stopping at 12 stations between Tukwila and Seattle. Sound Transit will extend the line another 1.7 miles to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, adding a thirteenth station in December 2009. For more information and schedules please visit the Sound Transit Link Light Rail website.
Noise Impact Study Information
Noise impacts associated with Light Rail were analyzed during the Unclassified Use Permit that was approved by Tukwila City Council in 2004. A noise report prepared by Michael Minor was submitted by Sound Transit prior to the approval of the building permit of the guideway and the station. This was peer reviewed by the City’s consultant BRC Acoustics.
There are different noise thresholds depending on the adjoining land uses- parks, residential or industrial etc. Light Rail alignment had to meet Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) noise criteria; however the ancillary facilities such as the station site had to also meet City’s noise code in addition to the FTA noise criteria. Based on this review if any noise impacts were anticipated to the adjoining areas they were mitigated by the installation of acoustic panels on the guideway and the construction of noise walls along the east side of the station.
Additionally, the condition of the building permit approval included noise and vibration monitoring for three years from the start of the revenue service. Sound Transit was asked to prepare a scope of the noise and vibration monitoring prior to the issuance of certificate of occupancy. The scope of the study was peer reviewed by the City’s consultant. The final scope of noise and vibration monitoring is attached below.
If you would like to submit comments/complaints or receive the latest updated information about this project, please sign-up on our Link Light Rail eList:
Link Light Rail eList Sign-Up.
Otherwise, complaints and requests for information should be directed to Roger Pence at Sound Transit. His phone number is 206.398.5465 and his email address is roger.pence@soundtransit.org.
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