Letters to Authorizing Agencies

2008
October 30, 2008 Final Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's final comments on its review of the revised, 15-year ST2 package that is on the November 4, 2008 ballot. Topics include: the analysis and assumptions Sound Transit used for estimating costs and developing the financial plan; greenhouse gas analysis; the new bus service hours to be added in 2009; the phasing of investments and construction; light rail on the I-90 bridge; and compliance with state law.

July 23, 2008 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's initial comments on the revised, 15-year ST2 package. Topics include the construction schedule and expenditure rates, project cost estimates, work with local jurisdictions, I-90 bridge, financial planning, HOV lanes, and public involvement.

June 20, 2008 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's comment letter of April 23, 2008.

April 23, 2008 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments regarding agreements with local governments on Sound Transit 2 (ST2) project scopes, Sound Transit's approach for updating the ST2 financial plan, and the timing of a technical review committee's report on light rail operation on the I-90 floating bridge.

2007
October 10, 2007 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's final letter of comment, dated September 12, 2007.

September 12, 2007 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's final letter of comment regarding Sound Transit's key assumptions and methodologies for the Sound Transit Phase 2 plan.

June 21, 2007 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's 3/23/07 and 4/12/07 letters of comment.

April 19, 2007 Memo from Panel Administrator re April 18 Sound Transit letter

April 18, 2007 Letter from Sound Transit
Sound Transit General Counsel's response to April 9 letter from Mr. Will Knedlik re level of debt that Sound Transit is authorized to issue

April 12, 2007 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments regarding Sound Transit 2 (ST2) planning activities, including cost estimates for light rail maintenance facilities, financial planning, federal environmental review, contracting methods, and agreements with local governments.

April 3,2007 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's 1/8/07 letter of comment.

March 23,2007 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments regarding certain technical issues, including financial planning, plans for East Link light rail, and public outreach.

January 8, 2007 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments regarding Sound Transit 2 (ST2) planning activities, project cost updates and risk assessment, and coordination with the Regional Transportation Improvement District.

2006
December 28, 2006 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's October 20, 2006 letter of comment.

October 20, 2006 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments regarding Sound Transit's efforts to develop a package of proposed improvements, known as Sound Transit 2 (ST2), to be submitted to voters.

March 31, 2006 Reply from Sound Transit
Sound Transit's response to the Expert Review Panel's December 2, 2005, and March 17, 2006 letters of comment.

March 17, 2006 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments and questions on: the initial ST2 project list, project evaluation criteria, financial planning, and issues associated with construction of high-capacity transit in the I-90 corridor.

2005
December 2, 2005 Panel Letter
Expert Review Panel's comments and questions on: cost estimating methodology for capital projects and O & M; First Hill station; high-capacity transit in the I-90 corridor; project evaluation methodology; ridership forecasting; and financial planning.

October 25, 2005 Panel's Reply
Expert Review Panel's reply to Rep. Murray regarding First Hill station.

October 20, 2005 Letter from Rep. Ed Murray
Letter from Rep. Ed Murray to Expert Review Panel regarding First Hill Station.

Attachment to August 24, 2005 Reply
Sound Transit memorandum (6/3/05) re HOV/BRT freeway interchange costs.

August 24, 2005 Reply
Reply from Sound Transit to the Expert Review Panel's preliminary findings about the technical analysis for the Regional Transit Long-Range Plan.

June 23, 2005
Preliminary findings from the Expert Review Panel about the technical analysis supporting recommendations made by Sound Transit staff on the Regional Transit Long-Range Plan.



Periodically the Expert Review Panel will summarize its findings in the form of letters to its appointing authorities and to Sound Transit. When those findings are developed they will be posted on this web page.