New West Seattle Link Extension Design Refinements Mean Fewer Impacts for SODO Businesses and Property Owners
SEATTLE—Today, Sound Transit announced a new design for the SODO segment of the West Seattle Link Extension project that will reduce property and construction impacts while decreasing costs and risks for the project. This announcement is the latest victory following 18 months of technical coordination between Sound Transit and City of Seattle staff to refine the project design and explore cost savings. To date, this partnership has generated over $2 billion in cost savings, resulting in a shovel-ready project that is more affordable, has fewer community impacts, and is ready for construction.
“The updated SODO segment design provides significant advantages such as cost savings, fewer property and construction impacts, and reduced project risks. This progress reflects the close coordination between the City and Sound Transit. The work on relocating City Light’s transmission lines is grounded in years of partnership, and I want to express my appreciation to the staff for their outstanding collaboration,” said Mayor Katie Wilson. “Sound Transit made a promise to voters to deliver light-rail to West Seattle and Ballard, and as a City we are taking every possible step to find savings and make refinements towards that goal. I’m calling on Sound Transit to continue this type of collaboration, and I’m committed to the City doing our part. We need smarter decisions and concrete cost-saving opportunities to keep both extensions going.”
The new SODO segment design will relocate major City infrastructure, Seattle City Light’s 230 kilovolt and 26 kilovolt transmission poles and lines, entirely within the light rail project footprint in the SODO Busway. This means that Sound Transit will not need to move massive powerlines onto 6th Ave S, which significantly reduces construction and lasting impacts on adjacent properties and businesses. The new design is expected to save the project over $100 million and remove the risk of damage to other critical City transportation and water infrastructure.
“This design lowers costs, reduces impacts on the neighborhood, and protects critical infrastructure. It’s a win-win solution we have been working with Sound Transit on for more than a year. This is a great example of Seattle, Sound Transit, and the community working together to find ways to expand light rail better and more affordably. It’s exactly the type of creative thinking and partnership we need to deliver the rest of ST3,” said Board Member Dan Strauss.
Keeping the transmission lines off of 6th Ave S has additional benefits, as the poles would have taken space away from people traveling on 6th Ave S and restricted development opportunities for the businesses and properties near the power lines. This updated design also clarifies which properties will be affected and acquired, easing years of uncertainty for business and property owners.
“Today’s announcement on the 230-KV Lines is an important example of how continued engagement with the businesses and communities most affected by major infrastructure projects can lead to better solutions,” said Erin Goodman, Executive Director of the SODO Business Improvement Area. “We appreciate Sound Transit and the City of Seattle’s willingness to listen, revisit its plans, and find a path forward that advances the West Seattle Link Extension while allowing SODO businesses to remain in place and continue operating.”
“We now have a durable date for delivering light rail to one of the region’s most vibrant neighborhoods”, said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine. “Innovative solutions driven by our design team have reduced project costs by more than $2 billion, and thanks to close collaboration with the City of Seattle, Seattle City Light, and communities along the project alignment, we have dramatically reduced impacts to a vitally important industrial corridor in SODO. We stand ready to deliver this transformational investment on behalf of a region that is hungry for more high-quality transit options.”
Sound Transit’s announcement came at the Board System Expansion Committee’s discussion of West Seattle Link Extension project updates, including upcoming property acquisitions, new project schedule, and additional cost savings. For more information, please visit the Sound Transit Blog.
What People Are Saying
“I’m pleased that Sound Transit and the City of Seattle have identified significant cost savings for the West Seattle Link Extension while also reducing the impacts of construction in SODO,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “This coordination demonstrates the kind of innovative problem-solving and local partnership we need to see across all Sound Transit 3 projects, especially as we continue work to identify cost savings to advance the Ballard Link Extension. I’m grateful for this collaboration and remain committed to doing everything I can as a board member and regional leader to keep all ST3 projects moving forward and delivered as soon as possible.”
“I’m thankful to Sound Transit and the City of Seattle for taking the time to listen to feedback from local businesses and community members and address their concerns,” said Board Member Teresa Mosqueda. “The cost-saving measures we’ve identified, along with the work to reduce impacts on businesses in SODO, are helping to complement existing community assets and put this project on a stronger path. This is more affordable and better addresses the needs of the SODO and adjacent communities.”
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