OLYMPIA — Legislation to improve permitting efficiency for Sound Transit light rail projects was signed into law Monday.
Under the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), as long as Sound Transit provides proof of notice to property owners at the time of application, it can apply for land use, construction, and technical permits for light rail and rapid bus projects before acquiring the property they will be built on and receiving local governments’ land use decisions.
“Time is money in transportation. The longer projects take, the more they cost. That’s why we can’t afford business as usual anymore,” Liias said. “I appreciate all the work our local government partners did to help us create permitting efficiencies that will ensure Sound Transit can deliver light rail projects more quickly.”
The new law also allows local governments to issue permits to Sound Transit for development on property it does not yet own as long as it remains responsible for getting the necessary property right or property owner’s permission to proceed with the permitted work.
Dave Somers, Snohomish County executive and chair of the Sound Transit Board of Directors, said the bill would give the agency additional flexibility as it works to deliver light rail projects.
“This week’s bill signing is a significant step toward more efficient and affordable delivery of high-capacity transit. We appreciate the work of our legislative partners to craft a bill that will streamline the permitting process and allow much needed investments in regional light rail to proceed with increased flexibility,” Somers said. “We look forward to working with local jurisdictions under the authority of this new law to advance ST3 projects and provide communities throughout the region greater access to jobs, education, services and recreation.”
The new law goes into effect June 11.
