Seattle officials try to iron out wrinkles in largest infrastructure project in city’s history

Sound Transit

Over the last few years Sound Transit has laid several miles of light-rail track in and around the city of Seattle, but the biggest is yet to come.

On July 12, the Seattle City Council reviewed recommendations on what will be the biggest infrastructure project in the city’s history. The $12 billion project called the West Seattle Ballard Link extension is expected to take years to build and will be 12 miles long with 13 stations.

The city council voted on an amendment that revised the goals and objectives related to a number of items, including potential future system expansion and construction methods. The amendment also would change the alignment recommendations for the SODO, Chinatown/International district and the downtown segments of light rail. The Chinatown/International district was concerned about a tunnel portion running through the neighborhood.

A daycare center also has come to the forefront with complaints. Alki Beach Academy, which is planning an expansion, said Alternative DEL-5 and DEL-6 might cause the center to be demolished.

The recommendations will be sent to the Sound Transit board, and the next step is to finalize an environmental impact study.

Construction is expected to start in 2026.

Read more articles on track construction.