Friday Roundtable: West Seattle Link Update

Rendering of the planned Link bridge above the Duwamish Waterway. (Sound Transit)

At the Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee meeting on Thursday, the agency shared a series of updates on the upcoming West Seattle Link Extension. The grand opening for the 3.9 mile extension from SODO to Alaska Junction has slipped from 2032 to 2035. This delay is due to longer than expected construction time for building the new bridge to West Seattle. Starting in 2035, 3 Line trains will shuttle passengers across the Duwamish Waterway where they will transfer to the 1 Line in SODO. West Seattle passengers will need to wait until the second tunnel is complete in 2042 before they can enjoy a one-seat-ride to downtown Seattle in the first tunnel.

Sound Transit also shared a new $100 million in project savings achieved through a redesign in how key Seattle City Light infrastructure is relocated. Earlier designs required additional construction on 6th Ave for the 230 kilovolt power lines, but the new approach has moved this infrastructure to be located within the light rail corridor. These savings are part of the nearly $2 billion saved by various other design changes to the extension, including the removal of Avalon station.

Map of various cost saving measures. (Sound Transit)

The System Expansion Committee approved a resolution to start the acquisition process for 55 properties located along the planned right-of-way. This includes 19 homes, industrial facilities, railroads, and City or County owned land. Sound Transit will begin the appraisal process for each property and start negotiations with the current owners within the next year. Tenants usually have 18 months to relocate.

Map of properties set to be acquired. (Sound Transit)

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