Sound Transit Publishes Final EIS for West Seattle Link Extension

Courtesy of Sound Transit

SEATTLE - Sound Transit and the FTA have published the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Seattle Link Extension Project. The cost of the project has risen to a range of $5.1 - $5.6 billion.

The Final EIS “provides a comprehensive analysis of the project’s preferred alternative and other options,” and “details potential environmental impacts and outlines strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate these effects,” according to a report in Westside Seattle.

Below is the Final Environmental Impact Statement – Purpose and Need for the West Seattle Link Extension:

Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension is now separate from the Ballard Link Extension, of which it was previously a part. Now an independent project in the Sound Transit 3 Plan, the West Seattle Link Extension is scheduled to open in 2032 and seeks to connect SODO to West Seattle. Additionally, there are stations planned at Alaska Junction, Avalon, Delridge, and SODO. The Extension will reduce congestion and improve travel times from downtown to West Seattle by 47% (or 14 minutes).

The EIS assesses the build alternatives which includes different design options and alignments, as well as a “No Build Alternative for comparison.” The EIS also considers “a minimal operable segment from SODO to Delridge, should the full project face construction delays.” According to the report, Sound Transit Board has preferred alternatives for each segment. However, the EIS does not include a final decision, instead preferring the flexibility to make a decision. As for a final cost, the original estimate was around $3.9 billion in 2022. Now, the cost has reportedly risen to somewhere between $5.1 and $5.6 billion.

Below is a PDF of the Final EIS: Alternatives Considered.