HNTB, Sound Transit Celebrate Opening of Lynnwood Link Extension
Now called the “1 Line to Lynnwood,” the line connects Northgate Station to Lynnwood Transit Center and marks the first light rail extension to Snohomish County, Wash.
Sound Transit's extensive, multi-year project, incorporating four new light rail stations, three parking garages, and 8.5 miles of track, is the culmination of innovative design and a collaborative partnership.
Photo: Sound Transit
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HNTB is celebrating a significant milestone in Seattle’s regional transit development with the completion of Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link Extension.
Now called the “1 Line to Lynnwood,” the line connects Northgate Station to Lynnwood Transit Center and marks the first light rail extension to Snohomish County, Wash.
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The extensive, multi-year project, incorporating four new light rail stations, three parking garages, and 8.5 miles of track, is the culmination of innovative design and a collaborative partnership.
HNTB served as project manager on all engineering and architectural aspects of the project design and construction support.
Photo: Sound Transit
1 Line to Lynwood
The grand opening ceremonies kicked off Aug. 30, with a ribbon cutting at the Lynnwood City Center Station, leading to the inaugural service to and from Lynnwood.
“For 25 years, HNTB’s partnership with Sound Transit has been founded on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Kris Agers, HNTB’s Washington state office leader and sr. VP. “We’re pleased to be part of another successful collaboration in delivering innovative design solutions for Sound Transit’s $18 billion capital program.”
Four passenger stations have been constructed, two in the City of Shoreline, one in Mountlake Terrace and one in Lynnwood, each designed to accommodate high volumes of daily commuters.
Photo: Sound Transit
HNTB’s Role in the Sound Transit Project
HNTB served as project manager on all engineering and architectural aspects of the project design and construction support.
HNTB’s innovative approach, including the use of cutting-edge 3-D modeling and delivering design packages early, allowed construction to begin prior to completion of the entire design, enhanced the team collaboration, and significantly accelerated the construction timeline.
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“This new service marks the first time Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail System has extended into Snohomish County, broadening the range of the entire line and connecting communities across the region,” said Sound Transit vice chair Dave Somers. “The Lynnwood Link Extension will provide an efficient and sustainable transit option and bring numerous benefits to the region by enhancing daily commutes, reducing environmental impact and fostering economic development.”
Four passenger stations have been constructed, two in the City of Shoreline, one in Mountlake Terrace and one in Lynnwood, each designed to accommodate high volumes of daily commuters.
HNTB is also managing the design of an additional fifth station at 130th Street in Seattle, reflecting its ongoing involvement and adaptability in accommodating changes and expansions to the project scope.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.