District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold shared this news with her constituents via her weekly email newsletter
Yesterday the Sound Transit Board took action to adopt a realignment planframework for the 2016 ST3 ballot measure, which includes West Seattle light rail. Sound Transit currently faces a $6.5 billion affordability gap, so some projects are being delayed. The framework allows for consideration of adjustment if, for example, additional federal funds are attained.
The Board’s action establishes four tiers, with Tier 1 being the highest priority projects. West Seattle light rail is included in Tier 1, and listed for completion in 2032 for all three stations (Delridge, Avalon, Alaska Junction).
Some scenarios presented to the Board in previous months listed West Seattle outside of Tier 1, and proposed completion in 2035, or building only to the Delridge station in 2035, and to the Alaska Junction in 2038. 2032 was the earliest date for West Seattle presented in any of the scenarios the Board reviewed.
Here’s a link to the Realigned Capital Program for ST3 projects as it stands after the Board’s action. It notes that there have been non-financial delays of one to three years for some projects, principally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are three potential schedules listed (Earliest Potential, Affordable, and Initial Target—all three list 2032 for West Seattle).