This week Sound Transit is beginning the next step in the project to extend mass transit between Northgate and Lynnwood.

The agency will host a public meeting Thursday night (Oct. 13) in Lynnwood to gather input on what should be studied while they prepare the environmental impact studies (EIS). The meeting is from 6 – 8 p.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel on 44th Ave. W.

The EIS will examine issues such as social, economic and environmental matters related to the project, and identify alternatives including routes and station locations. Last month Sound Transit chose the two “most promising” options — a light rail line on I-5 and a mostly elevated light rail route along Highway 99.

By 2023 the North Corridor Transit Project will connect to the light rail line that opened between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport in 2009. Construction is currently under way on a light rail extension to the University of Washington scheduled to open in 2016, followed by service to Northgate targeted in 2021.

If you can’t attend the meeting you can fill out an online survey.