The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has delayed the Record of Decision (ROD) for the West Seattle Link Extension from November 29, 2024 to February 28, 2025. The ROD is a key document in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and signifies the conclusion of the environmental review phase. This delay pushes back the timeline for the project, which aims to extend light rail service from SODO to West Seattle's Alaska Junction neighborhood.

The project has faced escalating costs since its inception. Initially estimated at $1.6 billion in 2016 when voters approved the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan, the cost has ballooned to an estimated $6.7 billion to $7.1 billion. This represents a staggering increase of over 300% from the initial projection.

Several factors have contributed to the rising costs, including underestimations in earlier projections and the complexities of the project, such as the Duwamish River crossing and tunnel construction. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) published in 2022 estimated the cost at $3.9 billion, while the Final EIS in 2024 projected a range of $5.1 billion to $5.6 billion.

The Sound Transit Board is grappling with these financial challenges and is exploring cost-cutting measures and potential adjustments to the project's design and scope to ensure its viability.

Here is a timeline of the West Seattle Link Extension project:

● 2016: Voters approve the project as part of the ST3 plan.

● 2017-2024: The project enters the planning phase, including the identification of preferred alternatives and environmental reviews.

● 2022: Sound Transit publishes the Draft EIS, followed by a public comment period.

● 2024: The Final EIS is published, and the FTA delays the ROD.

● 2024-2027 (Projected): Design phase.

● 2027-2032 (Projected): Construction phase.

● 2032 (Projected): Service begins.