Sound Transit Selects Final WSLE Route and Stations
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of Sound Transit
SEATTLE - Sound Transit announced it has selected the route and station locations along the future West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE). With construction set to start in 2027, the project can now move toward the final design phase.
According to a release from Sound Transit, the move also allows for the establishment of the project definition for the NEPA Record of Decision, or ROD. With the issuance of the ROD, the federal environmental review process will be complete, which is expected later this year. The cost of the extension is estimated to be between $6.7 and $7.1 billion. Because of the increase, the Sound Transit Board reportedly passed Motion M2024-59 that directs the “agency to develop a workplace to improve the agency’s financial situation and move WSLE through design to inform a financially sound project to be baselined.” The project includes extending the light rail 4.1 miles and have 4 new stations. These stations will be at SODO, Delridge, Avalon, and the Alaska Junction.
According to the release, the final alignment that was 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 that was selected incorporates previous adjustments requested back in 2022. The approved resolution reportedly includes an amendment that will move forward with the project’s development and implementation of the plan to improve the agency’s finances and the WSLE project through the design. It also allows Sound Transit to continue its work to reduce project impacts during this design phase “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.”
Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine said, “Today marks an important milestone in delivering light rail to West Seattle. . . 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.”
Sound Transit Board Member and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said, “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. . . 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.”
