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Progress in Seattle:
After many years of delay the grant of USD 500 million has at last been agreed and the first construction contracts have been signed, so initial construction work on the 14 mile light rail line should begin in about two weeks time. The agreement had been in jeopardy until the last moment due to being held up by an Oklahoma congressman who eventually dropped his objections, with some conditions, to the project.
The Central Link light rail line, which is estimated to cost USD 2.4 billion, will serve downtown Seattle, the industrial area south of downtown, and residential and commercial neighbourhoods in Beacon Hill, the Rainier Valley, Tukwila, and SeaTac. A shuttle bus will connect passengers from the South 154th Station to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) until the light rail station is constructed in 2011.
Even though right now Sound Transit is focusing on the initial 14-mile segment, the Sound Transit Board remains committed to completing the full 24-mile Central Link light rail line from Northgate to SeaTac.
Further details of the Central Link light rail line can be found on the Sound Transit site.
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25 October 2003
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