The Sound Transit Board of Directors voted to advance the West Seattle Link Extension project into the design phase during their meeting on October 24, 2024. This decision comes despite rising project costs, which have escalated from an estimated $4 billion to over $7 billion. The board also unanimously adopted Motion No. M2024-59, directing Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman to develop a work plan to address cost concerns and guide future decisions regarding the project's baseline.

The board's approval of Resolution No. R2024-22 allows the project to move forward into the design phase, which will provide more detailed information about costs and potential mitigation measures. Importantly, the vote to approve the design phase does not commit the board to funding the construction of the West Seattle Link Extension.

Several board members expressed concerns about the project's escalating costs and the potential impact on other Sound Transit 3 projects, particularly the extensions to Everett and Tacoma. Board member Cassie Franklin emphasized the need to prioritize completing the "spine" of the regional transit system, connecting Everett and Tacoma, and expressed concerns that the rising costs of West Seattle Link could jeopardize those projects. Echoing these concerns, Board member Bruce Dammeier stated that he did not "see a scenario where that design...is going to create expectations of what we're going to do" and that he did not think "the system can deliver on those expectations".

Board member Claudia Balducci acknowledged the concerns regarding cost overruns and emphasized the importance of the board retaining control over the project's development. She proposed a process change to more clearly define "phase gates," points at which the board must approve a project before it can advance to the next stage. This change, she argued, would help to assure the board and the public that Sound Transit is "retaining control and understanding the impacts of the decisions" they make.

Public comment on the West Seattle Link Extension was mixed, with some community members expressing support for the project, while others urged the board to consider alternatives or even halt the project altogether.

Nate Camino, Director of Government Relations for the Port of Seattle, spoke in favor of the preferred alternative for the West Seattle Link Extension, arguing that it would have the least impact on the Port's maritime cargo operations. Camino urged Sound Transit to minimize displacement of businesses during construction and to ensure that any displaced businesses are relocated within Seattle's industrial areas.

Isabelle Heeler, a frequent rider of public transit, advocated for the restoration of all-day bus service between Snohomish County and downtown Seattle. Heeler argued that the recent disruptions to light rail service highlight the need for reliable bus service to connect the two counties.

Marilyn Kennell, a West Seattle resident, urged the board to consider the "no build" option for the West Seattle Link Extension, arguing that the project is too expensive and will have significant negative impacts on the community and the environment. Kennel suggested that the funds allocated for West Seattle Link could be better spent on other transit projects that would benefit a wider range of communities.

The board ultimately voted to approve the design phase of the West Seattle Link Extension, recognizing the need to gather more information about costs and potential mitigation measures before making a final decision on construction. The work plan developed by CEO Sparrman will be critical in providing the board with the necessary information to make informed decisions about the future of the West Seattle Link Extension project.

Sound Transit shared a press release that offered more information.

Sound Transit Board selects final West Seattle Link Extension
route and stations

Final alignment incorporates refinements Board requested to improve station access, minimize displacements

The Sound Transit Board today selected the route and station locations for the West Seattle Link Extension. This action authorizes the project to move forward into the final design phase. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. 

Today’s action also establishes the project definition for the NEPA Record of Decision (ROD). When the ROD is issued, the federal environmental review process will be complete, and the project can proceed. This milestone is expected in late 2024.

In conjunction with publication of the Final EIS in September, Sound Transit updated the cost estimate for the West Seattle Link Extension to between $6.7 and $7.1 billion. In response to this significant increase, the Sound Transit Board passed Motion M2024-59 directing the agency to develop a workplan to improve the agency’s financial situation and move WSLE through design to inform a financially sound project to be baselined. This workplan will include programmatic, financial, and project-level measures.

“Today marks an important milestone in delivering light rail to West Seattle,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Through the Board-directed work plan, our action today allows Sound Transit to use the design process to address cost pressures, reduce impacts, and prepare projects for construction, fulfilling our promise to the voters. I want to thank everyone who has engaged with us throughout the planning process to-date.”

The West Seattle Link Extension was approved by voters in 2016 as part of the ST3 plan. The project will extend light rail 4.1 miles and serve four new stations (at SODO, Delridge, Avalon, and the Alaska Junction) to provide fast, reliable light rail connections in the SODO, Delridge, and West Seattle neighborhoods.

Trips between Alaska Junction and Westlake stations ultimately will take only 16 minutes during peak hours – a 50% reduction from current travel times. The extension will improve overall transit service frequency, reliability, and capacity; facilitate redevelopment, including affordable housing near stations; and provide a travel alternative when the West Seattle Bridge is congested or unavailable.

“A safe, connected, and well-maintained transit system is a top priority for my administration, and Sound Transit 3 represents the largest infrastructure program in Seattle’s history. We must also match our ambitions with accountability,” said Sound Transit Board member and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “As a Board, our role is to ensure that construction impacts and rising costs do not overly burden community as we work to deliver these transformative projects. Today's approved action on the West Seattle Link Extension route and stations is a forward step in helping us meet our challenges and getting us closer to providing reliable transit for generations to come.”

The final alignment selected by the Board is the Final EIS Preferred Alternative:

• West Seattle Junction segment: Medium Tunnel 41st Avenue Station West Entrance Station Option
• Delridge segment: Andover Street Station Lower Height South Alignment Option
• Duwamish Segment: South Crossing Alternative
• SODO segment: At-Grade Lander Access Station Option

The alignment selected today incorporates refinements requested by the Sound Transit Board when it identified the preferred alternative in 2022. Working with community members, the City of Seattle and King County, staff studied these project features to enhance station access, prioritize an integrated and well-designed transfer experience from buses to light rail, and address concerns over potential displacements of organizations serving low-income and communities of color.

“Today’s action gives Sound Transit the green light to move forward on West Seattle Link Extension’s final design, to study ways to contain costs, and to work further on avoiding or mitigating the impacts of this major construction project in the neighborhoods it will serve,” said Sound Transit System Expansion Committee Chair and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “We’ve worked hard to get to this point, and I remain committed to deliver the fast, frequent, and reliable transit we promised the voters as quickly and affordably as possible.”

The Board’s approved resolution included an amendment to move forward with the development and implementation of the workplan to improve the agency’s financial situation and move the West Seattle Link Extension through design. This amendment also directed the agency to continue working to reduce identified project impacts during the design phase and advancement of the workplan to achieve cost savings and to minimize community impacts in SODO and West Seattle, while continuing to provide enhanced transit integration and station access and engaging with impacted residents and businesses.

“With the West Seattle Link extension, Sound Transit is entering a new era of designing and building capital projects,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman. “As we begin to implement the workplan and address cost pressures, we will be engaging with the construction industry sooner to identify the best way to approach our projects and developing ways to create greater efficiencies once we enter construction. These innovations will not only help the WSLE project but support advancing other projects in the expansion program.”

The agency will return to the Board in the future as design progresses and to authorize construction dollars.

Visit https://westseattlelink.participate.online/ for detailed project maps and additional information.