generic Seattle City Council finalizes recommendations for West Seattle and Ballard light rail expansion
The Seattle City Council passed a resolution Tuesday that finalizes its recommendations for the upcoming Sound Transit West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project.
The project, which is billed as the largest infrastructure project in city history, would add more than 12 miles of new light rail track and more than 13 new expanded stations.
But the project is still years away from being completed and likely won’t operate until the 2030s.
The council’s recommendations will now head to the Sound Transit board, which will decide whether to take action at the end of this month.
Seattle officials endorsed a tunnel to the West Seattle Junction, rather than an elevated railway.
“A tunnel would have significantly less impact for community residents and businesses,” said city council member Lisa Herbold.
The city said more study was needed on where to build a new station in the Chinatown-International District. A Sound Transit proposal to build a tunnel beneath Fifth Avenue generated significant neighborhood opposition.
“With construction right in the heart of the neighborhood for multiple years, it will really have a significant impact on the vibrancy and livability and a lot of the small businesses won’t be able to make it through,” said Denise Moriguchi, president of Uwajimaya Inc.
Neighborhood leaders instead support a tunnel and station beneath Fourth Avenue, which could potentially activate Union Station and provide connections to Pioneer Square.
The city’s recommendations will be considered by Sound Transit’s board, made up of regional government leaders, who are overseeing the implementation of the voter-approved transit expansion.
The transit advocacy group Seattle Subway wants the planning process to stay focused on riders and make sure the system is built in a way that people will want to use.
Proposed deep underground stations with long transfer times are a particular concern, as are stations proposed slightly outside neighborhood centers, such as in Ballard and South Lake Union. Seattle Subway also says the system must be built with future expansion in mind.
“We’re pretty disappointed, honestly, in both the Sound Transit plan and the way the city has weighed in,” said Ron Davis of Seattle Subway.
More news from KIRO 7
Tacoma clears two more encampments as residents say outreach efforts have fallen short
Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
