While final decisions on the exact route of the Sound Transit light rail Lynnwood Link is still about a year away, ST representatives have been busy in Mountlake Terrace and all along the entire 8.5-mile proposed light rail route, collecting data and making possible design refinements.

Geotechnical drilling started this week in Mountlake Terrace in order to collect soil samples for analysis, and noise monitoring and vibration testing is scheduled to begin soon, Sound Transit officials said. Over the past few months, the regional transportation agency has been completing civil and wetland survey work along the I-5 corridor between Northgate and Lynnwood, the general route of the proposed light rail line.

Sound Transit released a video simulation of the Lynnwood Link Extension’s preferred alignment, which provides an animated view of the route and stations based on current designs. The final decision by Sound Transit board members on the final route and stations is expected in 2015. You can view the video here.

Construction of the $1.2 billion

to $1.7 billion light rail extension is expected to begin in late 2017 or early 2018, with service beginning in 2023.