West Seattle Link Extension
West Seattle Link Extension |
|---|
The West Seattle Link Extension is a planned Link light rail extension that will travel 4.7 miles (7.6 km) east from SODO station to Alaska Junction in West Seattle via a new fixed crossing adjacent to the West Seattle Bridge. It was approved after the passage of Sound Transit 3 in 2016. The line is planned to open in 2032 with trains continuing north to Lynnwood Transit Center in service as the new Line 3.
History
In November 2016, voters approved Sound Transit 3 which included funding for the segment between SODO and Alaska Junction to be completed in 2030.[1][2] Cost estimates were set at $7.1 billion for the combined West Seattle Extension and Ballard Link Extension.[1]
The design and permitting processes were greatly slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] By 2021, the project's estimated cost (combined with the Ballard Link Extension) was revised upward to $12.1–12.6 billion, primarily due to land acquisition costs.[1] Due to mounting costs among several of Sound Transit 3's expansion plans, the Sound Transit Board voted in 2021 to adopt a less aggressive project implementation schedule. By that time, the West Seattle Extension was expected to open to revenue service in 2032.[4][5]
Route
The route begins at SODO station, which is planned to be altered and expanded to allow for increased capacity and interlining services. The line would continue south on an elevated structure along the SODO Busway and turn east to parallel the Spokane Street Viaduct to allow for a new crossing of the Duwamish Waterway[6] near the existing West Seattle Bridge. As of 2020 the preferred route would have trains maintain an elevated route to the terminal at Alaska Junction,[7] though there are options for at-grade and tunneled segments.[8]
Stations
| Name | Neighborhood | Location | Planned Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SODO | SoDo | Lander St and SODO Busway | 2009 | ||
| Line 1 continues to Federal Way Transit Center | |||||
| Delridge | Delridge | 2032 | |||
| Avalon | West Seattle | 2032 | |||
| Alaska Junction | West Seattle Junction | 2032 | |||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Baruchman, Michelle (January 7, 2021). "Cost of building light rail to West Seattle, Ballard is much higher than first estimated". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ↑ "Sound Transit 3 Draft System Plan" (PDF).
- ↑ Lindblom, Mike (August 5, 2021). "Two light-rail stations in Seattle escape ST3 budget chopping, most other projects delayed". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Program Realignment" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 22, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ↑ "Realigned Capital Program Pursuant to Sound Transit Board action of August 5, 2021" (PDF). Sound Transit. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ↑ Lindblom, Mike (July 4, 2015). "Sound Transit planning heats up for light-rail expansion and public vote". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ↑ West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (Map). Sound Transit. October 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ↑ Lindblom, Mike (September 12, 2019). "Bringing light rail to central Ballard would cost an extra $450 million; here's why". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
External links
This article "West Seattle Link Extension" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:West Seattle Link Extension. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
