Light Rail Expansion
Overview
The Sound Transit Light Rail Extensions will include projects that will expand the regional transit system throughout King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. Light rail extensions approved as part of the Sound Transit 3 plan, which was approved in 2016, adds 62 miles of light rail as well as providing additional bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, and expanding the capacity and service area of the Sounder rail line. Within the Seattle city limits, the plan includes the West Seattle & Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) as well as two infill stations along existing light rail alignments. The WSBLE will include 12 miles of new light rail lines with 14 stations to service West Seattle, SODO, Downtown, South Lake Union, Uptown, Interbay and Ballard neighborhoods. The plan also includes two infill stations, NE 130th St in North Seattle and S Graham St Station in Rainier Valley, along the existing light rail alignment. The West Seattle to Downtown light rail line extension is projected to open in 2032, while the Downtown to Ballard extension will open in 2037/2039.
SDC Documents
The Seattle Design Commission has provided the following recommendations to Sound Transit concerning WSBLE & Station infill projects:
- WSBLE - Memo to City Council on Preferred Alternatives (June 2022)
- WSBLE - Letter to Sound Transit - Early Design Advice (May 2022)
- WSBLE - Chinatown/International District Station Area Planning (December 2019)
- WSBLE - Letter to ELG on CID and Delridge Stations (April 2019)
- WSBLE - Level 2 preliminary recommendations (September 2018)
- WSBLE - Urban design implications (March 2018)
The SDC will continue to provide input as the project develops.
City of Seattle Meeting Materials
The City of Seattle has provided the following presentations and briefings for the WSBLE projects:
- Presentation - City of Seattle Station Design Guidelines Update (January 7, 2021)
- Presentation - City of Seattle Station Design Guidelines (August 6, 2020)
Sound Transit Meeting Materials
Sound transit has provided the following presentations and briefings for the WSBLE projects:
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(February 1, 2024)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(December 7, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(November 2, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(July 20, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(July 6, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Recording (July 6, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Studies, Findings, and Community Feedback (March 2023)
- Presentation on the WSBLE Project Update (October 20, 2022)
- Presentation on the Cost-Savings and Refinements Concepts (April 21, 2022)
- Presentation on the West Seattle Stations and Guideway Structures (April 7, 2022)
- Presentation on the Interbay-Ballard Stations and Guideways (March 17, 2022)
- Presentation on the International District/Chinatown Station (March 3, 2022)
- Presentation on the Westlake and Seattle Center Station Alternatives (February 17, 2022)
- Presentation on Racial Equity Toolkit (December 16, 2021)
- Presentation on Sustainability (December 16, 2021)
- Presentation on Co-Planning with City of Seattle (May 6, 2021)
- Presentation on Sound Transit Art Program (March 4, 2021)
- Presentation on Architecture Standards (January 16, 2020)
Lynnwood Link Extension
West Seattle Link Extension
To be updated as information becomes available
Ballard Link Extension
To be updated as information becomes available