Public transit agency of the Seattle metropolitan area in the US state of Washington, Sound Transit, has started construction on the $217m Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension project.
Set to be carried out by Walsh Construction Company, the construction works started with a ground breaking ceremony.
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The extension will connect the existing Tacoma Link rail line from the Theatre District in downtown Tacoma to the Stadium District and Hilltop neighbourhoods.
Construction of six stations along the line as well as relocating the Theatre District station also form a part of the extension project.
Tacoma Mayor and Sound Transit board member Victoria Woodards said: “Hilltop Tacoma Link provides additional access to our downtown corridor and will help fuel our economic growth.
“This ground breaking event today would not have been possible without the support of Sen Murray, Rep Kilmer and our partnership with the Federal Transit Administration.
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By GlobalData“Our city is poised to grow by 64% in the next 20 years and expanding Tacoma Link will connect residents to our regional transit system for years to come.”
The project will be jointly funded by Sound Transit, the City of Tacoma, a $75m federal Small Starts grant and support from Senator Patty Murray. It also received an additional $15m federal TIGER grant.
Representative Derek Kilmer said: “Expanding Tacoma Link will bring $250m in economic development to our region’s economy.
“Best of all, it connects neighbours to each other, cuts traffic and helps people avoid hefty parking bills.”
Commercial services on the extension are expected to begin in 2022.
