Northgate opening week schedule of events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Autumn Sharp, Communications Manager
Phone: 503-481-4622
Email: autumn@transportationchoices.org

 

Yesterday’s Dreams are Today’s Transit Reality Time to Celebrate!  

Sound Transit’s Northgate Link light rail expansion launches a golden age of transit in the Puget Sound region.


(SEATTLE, WA, September 2021) —
On Saturday, October 2, the Puget Sound region will celebrate a major expansion of transit options with the opening of Sound Transit’s Northgate Link light rail extension – 4 miles of track and three new stations connecting our communities through public transit. Several celebration events will take place throughout opening week and include Transportation Choices Coalition’s (TCC) Transit Talk: ‘A Celebration of Progress’ and TCC’s annual gala, Tuxes and Trains: All Dressed Up with Places to Go presented by Expedia Group. 

“Thirteen years ago voters approved the ST2 package – charting a course to a major expansion of light rail throughout the region. Today we celebrate the first benefits of their wise decision-making – the Northgate Link Extension – and ring in a golden age of transit expansion,” said Alex Hudson, Executive Director of Transportation Choices Coalition. “Now is the time to celebrate the workers, advocates and leaders who have fought and succeeded putting us on track to a healthier, more sustainable, more prosperous future for Puget Sound and Washington.” Between now and 2024 Sound Transit will nearly triple the region’s light rail system from 22 to 62 miles. The new extension will offer riders safe, reliable, 14-minute trips between Northgate and downtown Seattle. The project advanced despite pandemic challenges thanks to the extraordinary efforts over decades from our region’s transportation leaders, construction workforce, contractors and project staff, and these special events will be an opportunity to acknowledge their commitment and celebrate the results of their dedication.

As part of the celebration, TCC will be hosting a special Transit Talk: ‘A Celebration of Progress’  on the history – and bright future – of light rail in the Puget Sound Region. Join former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, a founding member of the Sound Transit Board, Councilmember Kent Keel, Councilmember at the City of University place and current Sound Transit Board Chair and Patience Malaba, Director of Government Relations and Policy at Housing Development Consortium of Seattle- King County and TCC Board Member, for this dynamic and engaging conversation about the past, present, and future of light rail. This interactive event will focus on rider questions about light rail, so the audience can submit questions upon registration or use the Q&A feature during the webinar.

TCC is honored to partner with presenting sponsor Expedia for its annual gala, Tuxes & Trains: All Dressed Up with Places to Go, a fully vaccinated evening soiree at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Event highlights include a special one-night exhibit of Transit History, a pop-up transit gift store, online silent auction, Live DJ and a dancefloor. Inspired by the natural environment around Northgate, the theme for this year’s gala roots transit in the natural world, highlighting the ways fast, frequent and reliable transit provides solutions to climate change, supports people-centered infrastructure and connects people to each other and the places they love. It’s a story of new growth — for transit, communities and the planet. 

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Transportation Choices Coalition is a nonprofit working to bring more and better transportation choices to Washington State.

 

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