Sea-Tac light-rail station won't be delayed, Sound Transit says

Sound Transit's light-rail station at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, promised by Dec. 29, 2009, might be delayed until spring 2010, according to a federal oversight report.

But Sound Transit officials insist the station will open on time.

Next summer, trains are scheduled to reach the high-rise Tukwila Station, at the junction of Highways 99 and 518. Shuttle buses will take riders from there 1-½ miles to the air terminal, until whenever the airport light-rail station opens.

The federal oversight report, dated June 2008 and written by New York-based STV for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), estimates that an opening of the airport station, just northeast of the main airport parking garage, "will be delayed until the second quarter of 2010."

Sound Transit disagrees: "We will be open in December 2009," said spokesman Bruce Gray.

The federal report noted that contractors had not yet filed a detailed schedule to install station roofs, steel beams, escalators, tracks and other features. The report further questions whether communications systems will be ready on time, throughout the 16 miles of track from downtown Seattle.

Ron Lewis, Sound Transit project manager for the airport segment, said Mowat, the prime contractor, issued a full schedule at the end of June. Lewis said he gave the FTA and STV the new information this month; they have not issued a formal reply.

Airport spokesman Perry Cooper said, "Sound Transit is telling us they are on schedule, and we have no reason to doubt them."

Meanwhile, at the job site, the overhead concrete trackway and vertical station supports are finished, and concrete is being poured for the floors, Lewis said.

When the airport station opens, transit riders will walk a quarter-mile from the mezzanine to the terminal, via the fourth floor of the parking structure and existing sky bridges.

The federal report includes good news for Sound Transit and taxpayers.

Despite cost overruns in spots, there is ample reserve money left after four years of construction. If current trends continue, the Seattle-Tukwila portion will be finished for about $140 million less than its $2.44 billion budget. Any leftover money could be spent for operations or light-rail extensions.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com