The Sound Transit Board adopted an updated ST3 System Plan that advances the West Seattle Link Extension with cost-saving design refinements, including the removal of Avalon Station.
West Seattle Link Extension project updates
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Overview
The West Seattle Link Extension will add three new stations at SODO, Delridge, and Alaska Junction, providing fast and reliable light rail connections to West Seattle neighborhoods. This project is part of the regional transit system expansion approved by voters in November 2016.
Current project status
West Seattle Link Extension moving forward in updated Sound Transit 3 (ST3) System Plan
On May 28, the Sound Transit Board adopted an updated ST3 System Plan to guide the next phase of transit expansion projects across the region. Under the updated plan, the West Seattle Link Extension project is moving forward with design and construction. We will continue engaging the community as we begin final design, acquire the land needed to build the project, and start early work.
Project updates reduce costs and community impacts
Over the past 18 months, work on the West Seattle Link Extension project has focused on identifying, evaluating, and implementing measures to reduce the project cost and community impacts, and maintain rider experience on the future Link line.
The most notable change to the West Seattle Link Extension is the removal of Avalon Station. Eliminating Avalon Station shifts more of the route to a tunnel. In turn, this also reduces the project cost and community impacts, and the number of properties needed for construction. In total, we identified over $2 billion in cost savings, while keeping stations at SODO, Delridge, and Alaska Junction. In the coming months, we will work to confirm these design refinements with the Federal Transit Administration.
What’s next for the project?
Sound Transit will continue engaging communities on station design and access projects, development near stations, public art, and construction planning.
We will contact affected property owners, tenants, and businesses as more information becomes available. We are committed to working closely with affected residents and businesses throughout the process to provide individualized support, relocation assistance, and benefits.
For more frequent updates as the project progresses, visit the WSLE online open house.
Where can I learn more as a project neighbor?
- Visit the project’s online open house to learn more about how the West Seattle Link Extension reached the design phase. If you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting to learn more, contact the project team at westseattlelink@soundtransit.org.
- You can learn more about the property acquisition and relocation process on the online open house's Property Acquisition page. If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact the project team at westseattlelink@soundtransit.org.