Economic fallout from COVID-19 may delay Everett light rail
EVERETT —Everett’s light rail connection could face a years-long delay due to prolonged economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Everett Link project, which would build light rail north from Lynnwood, is a long way off — service isn’t to begin until 2036.
But with funding sources in question, the start of rail service could be delayed until 2040 or beyond.
Sound Transit says it could see a sharp decline in revenue over the next two decades, resulting in an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion shortfall.
The scenario is forcing the agency to determine which projects could be put on hold in the near or long term if alternate funding can’t be found or the economy doesn’t improve.
“As businesses remain closed and people stay home, sales tax revenues critical to funding transit construction have declined rapidly,” Sound Transit said in a statement on its website.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/economic-fallout-from-covid-19-may-delay-everett-light-rail/?email=markstocker@frontier.com