advertisement

---

On June 8, Sound Transit will break ground on its Central Link light-rail project in the Rainier Valley, southeast of Seattle.

The 4.3-mile line will provide access to major employment centers, according to a prepared statement.

Initial construction includes moving overhead utilities underground and removing wooden utility poles. The agency then will rebuild a roadway to make room for the light-rail line, and reconstruct sidewalks, driveways, curbs and street crossings, and improve landscaping.

Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2007, when the agency will begin installing power, and communications and signal systems. Service is scheduled to begin in 2009.

Sound Transit awarded a $128.3 million construction contract to joint venture RCI Construction Group-Herzog Contracting Corp., which submitted a bid $30.4 million less than Sound Transit’s estimate.