Sound Transit passes final safety inspections

Sound Transit chief executive Joni Earl has just signed the certificate of occupancy for the new Link light-rail system, clearing the final hurdle before the line opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The 14-mile route goes from Westlake Center to Tukwila, followed by a two-mile extension to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in December.

Earl signed the certificate just after 5 p.m., transit spokesman Bruce Gray said. By doing so, she is attesting that all safety systems — including fire suppression devices and smoke alarms — are complete and fully inspected.

Some 17 elevators and escalators were still being inspected this week by the state Department of Labor and Industries, which apparently finished its work this afternoon, allowing Earl to sign off.

Construction began five years ago.

Among other features, the route includes four high-speed elevators that go 160 feet from the top of Beacon Hill to a deep underground station.

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