West Seattle light rail ‘shovel ready,’ construction could start this year
West Seattle light rail ‘shovel ready’ despite multibillion-dollar gap
Sound Transit leaders say the West Seattle light rail extension could begin construction soon, even as officials work to close a multibillion-dollar funding gap. Proposed changes include cutting stations to reduce costs while keeping the project on track.
SEATTLE - Sound Transit leaders say construction on the long-awaited West Seattle light rail extension could begin sooner than expected, even as the project faces a multi-billion-dollar budget gap.
At a packed meeting inside the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, community members pressed officials on rising costs and potential changes to the plan.
Cost-cutting proposals take shape
What we know:
King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda told the crowd the agency is working to close that multi-billion-dollar gap while protecting ridership and limiting impacts to residents and small businesses.
Among the proposals: eliminating the Avalon station along the four-mile West Seattle segment and scaling down the SODO station that would connect riders across the Duwamish.
Mosqueda said the agency has already identified significant savings.
"Most importantly, we continue to see not only is Sound Transit shaving $2.6 billion off the cost in West Seattle here, but there is poise to do even more," said Mosqueda.
Pressure to move quickly
The other side:
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who also serves on the Sound Transit Board, emphasized that delaying decisions could further drive up costs.
"The cost of building out these lines grows by tens of millions of dollars each month that the projects are delayed," said Wilson. "I understand that businesses, residents, and property owners along the West Seattle Line have been in limbo for over five years waiting for property acquisition and relocation assistance. That is not a good situation. Delaying the project has already created additional hardship for those community members."
"Shovel ready" with timeline on the horizon
Big picture view:
Despite the challenges, Sound Transit leaders say the project is ready to move forward.
"That means the agency could break down on building West Seattle within 90 days if given the go-ahead from the Sound Transit board," said Mosqueda.
Officials say construction could begin as soon as 2026.
During a tour of the cross-lake extension last week, Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine reaffirmed the agency’s broader commitment to expanding service across the region.
"There’s no world in which we don’t end up with Ballard or West Seattle or Tacoma or Everett. We are committed to getting those things done. That doesn’t mean they’re easy," said Constantine.
Ongoing debate over ridership and growth
What's next:
Even as plans move forward, some residents question whether West Seattle has enough riders to justify the cost.
Constantine pointed to other parts of the region, including Lynnwood, arguing that development tends to follow transit investment with thousands of housing units being built near new stations.
Meanwhile, supporters at the meeting, many wearing pink and holding signs reading "SAVE RAIL TO WEST SEATTLE — DON’T STOP SHORT" and "BUILD WEST SEATTLE NOW," urged leaders to keep the project moving.
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The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Lauren Donovan.