Northgate Link Debut Delay Continues

The previous post opined the Northgate Link debut was needed to expose the Prop 1 debacle.  Sound Transit seems to be of two minds when it comes to when they will do so.  The reason being the Agency Progress Report: December 2020 Link Light Rail, Program Overview chart for the Northgate Link Extension" showed a September 26th, 2022 "Revenue Service date"  Yet the same document included a "Project Summary Schedule" with Revenue Service: September 2021.

The Agency Progress Report January 2021 showing the same "discrepancy" prompted a review of the Overall Program Schedules in earlier progress reports.   It showed the decision to delay in Revenue Service occurred between the May 2020 and June 2020 reports.  It's not clear what prompted the delay.  Agency Progress Reports for July, August, September, and October showed the same "discrepancy".

That revelation prompted another review of the November 19th video of Sound Transit's presentation to the board of the Northgate Link 2021 Service Plan.  A "Why we are here" chart included "Today we are here to inform today's decision on approval of major service changes for implementation in 2021".

The Service Plan Timeline included a September Draft 2022 service plan for public input, 1900 survey responses, incorporating the public input into a final 2021 plan, and the November "Board Adoption of the final 2021 service plan."

Of particular interest were survey results showing a "Preference to keep direct rush hour service to Seattle".  The video detailed the response as to which bus routes would continue into Seattle and which would be terminated at Northgate and Roosevelt Stations.  Sound Transit CEO Rogoff applauded the board's unanimous approval of  the "final service plan"

There was no mention of a year's delay, despite the fact Agency Progress Reports for 4 months had included the delay.  It's not clear which is worse.  The fact CEO Rogoff and Sound Transit neglected to mention the potential year's delay or that none of the board members were apparently aware of 4 months of Sound Transit Agency Progress reports of the delay.

The bottom line is the Northgate Link debut will demonstrate whether light rail routed through the DSTT has the public transit capacity needed to reduce I-5 congestion.  Whether using light rail to replace bus routes will reduce congestion and whether riders added by extensions will limit access for current riders.  Sound Transit has spent years and billions on extensions alongside I-5 beyond UW station and SeaTac and across I-90 Bridge predicated on light rail success.

It's now been nearly 10 months since Sound Transit Northgate Link Extension Revenue Service Date was delayed until September 2022.. CEO Rogoff needs to explain what caused the year delay and why he neglected to mention the delay in the November 19th presentation to  the board.  Whatever the reason, the delay will result in spending an additional $2 billion on Prop 1 extensions that may or may not reduce congestion.

It's "unfortunate  the Seattle Times Traffic Lab, who rather than "digging into the delay" recently abetted Sound Transit need for an additional $11.5 billion in revenue for the spine. Choosing to ignore the December 17th board approval of a 2021 budget with no increase in outstanding debt until 2029.