Sound Transit Removing 5,300 Trees Along I-5, Will Plant 20,000

SHORELINE, WA — Construction on Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link light rail line will mean the removal of about 5,300 trees along I-5 from Northgate to Snohomish County — but Sound Transit is promising to replace those with 20,000 new trees.

Early Lynnwood Link work will begin this spring with tree work, according to Sound Transit. The line rail line will run along the east side of I-5, mostly on WSDOT land to avoid private property.

Sound Transit is highlighting that it will go above and beyond typical tree replacement programs. All 20,000 replacement trees will be planted along I-5.

"The agency will plant larger trees rather than saplings and irrigate and maintain them for a much longer than is usual for construction projects," Sound Transit wrote in a construction update on Tuesday. "We will monitor and work to maintain the health of the new plantings for 13 years instead of the typical three years that normally come with replanting projects like these."

Lynnwood Link is set to open in 2024, giving commuters the option of a 28-minute train trip from the far north end of the line to downtown Seattle. Stations in Northgate and Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood are set to open in 2021.

There are two upcoming open houses for local residents interested in learning more about the construction:

Mountlake Terrace

April 18, 6-8 p.m.
Nile Shrine Golf Center (Ballroom)
6601 244th St. SW

Lynnwood

April 25, 6-8 p.m.
Lynwood Convention Center
3711 196th St. SW