One day left for what might be your most important comment about West Seattle light rail

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

It’s not necessarily your final chance to comment on Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light-rail plan, but it’s arguably the most important, and you now have one day left to get your comment in. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 28th) is the deadline for commenting on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement – which examines the potential station locations and routing proposed for West Seattle light rail to get across the Duwamish River and through the North Delridge and Avalon areas on its way to The Junction. The DEIS has been out for three months, with more than 1,000 comments received as of our last check earlier this month. If you haven’t read a word of it, you can at least go through the Executive Summary. (All our coverage is archived here.) Once you’re ready to comment, here’s how. All the comments received by tomorrow will have to be addressed in the final EIS, expected to be ready next year, before the Sound Transit Board makes a final decision on what to build.

Junction Lady April 27, 2022 (9:12 pm)

No thank you.

James April 28, 2022 (6:07 am)

Light rail is happening in some shape/form not matter what, best get on board and voice your opinion.

RS April 28, 2022 (5:53 am)

Thanks for the heads up. Glad I got a chance to comment, since one of the alternatives suggests fully closing 35th for 3 years, and I’d hate to see that happen.

thee April 28, 2022 (8:32 am)

Reminder: the Avalon station is not needed! Save time, money, homes, jobs… Skip the Avalon station!

Honey April 28, 2022 (9:26 am)

I am a fourth generation West Seattle homeowner who in 2016 voted in favor of light rail construction. The events of the last six years, however, have changed many of parameters of the Sound Transit West Seattle link project. The budget is of major concern; $73 million cost overrun before the the project even starts definitely needs to be addressed. Also, the projected displacement of hundreds of people’s homes, businesses, employment must be re- evaluated especially in light of the dearth of options for relocation. My concerns are many but the impacts to wetlands, waterways, parks, green spaces, tree canopy and the Longfellow Creek basin and West Seattle Green Belt are primary. As much as I am concerned about things monetary – the existential threat to people and wildlife is my bigger worry. I have reviewed the 2022 DEIS. I refer to the sections and then make my comments (indented).(COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC POINTS ARE LISTED HERE)I feel great despair reviewing this Sound Transit DEIS. I feel that it is vague, superficial, and cavalier – lacking in awareness for the possible loss of our homes, our neighborhoods, our businesses and jobs. The luxury of living in an urban area that still has birds, salmon, big trees, and wildlife is rare. I realize we might need more public transportation in the future, but perhaps now (due to the pandemic, WS bridge closure, people wanting to continue working from home, etc.,) the needs have shifted. The Sound Transit “spine” is still a good idea. But electric buses on expanded bus lanes and other “feeders” to that main line sound like more economically and environmentally practical. And certainly less disruptive. I would support an independent study of the feasibility of a gondola.

skeeter April 28, 2022 (12:08 pm)

Honey, thanks for your thoughts. I don’t have have the history that you do. I’m a first generation West Seattle resident. I’m curious about this, though: “I realize we might need more public transportation in the future, but perhaps now (due to the pandemic, WS bridge closure, people wanting to continue working from home, etc.,) the needs have shifted.” I’m not so sure needs have shifted. And if they have it will likely be for a brief time – perhaps a year or two. The pandemic is still strong, but the disruption at this point is pretty minimal. The bridge will re-open. Most employers are asking employees to return to office. I think we desperately need grade-separated transit. We sort of need it now, and we’ll definitely need it in the coming years. I’m curious why you voted for ST3 in 2016 and no longer think we’ll benefit from the ST3 portfolio of investments. Again, you’ve got way more history and experience living in West Seattle than I do. I’ve only been in West Seattle 15 years.

natinstl April 28, 2022 (12:52 pm)

I am doubting those daily boarding numbers of 7,600 after COVID with more people working from home and not likely to go back to a five day per week in office schedule. We all know they are going to come back and ask for more money and I will personally vote no. For me this will result in a much longer and circuitous ride just to get to 2nd and Spring when I can just hop on a bus with dedicated bus lanes to go straight downtown vs. SODO or I can take the water taxi.

Rico May 9, 2022 (9:41 am)

Honey – great comments and input. As for the cost: ST budget is currently at $12.1 Billion for the West Seattle spur line. There are 36,000 households in West Seattle (this includes all households, apartments, etc.) and encompasses ALL of West Seattle.ST history suggests the actual cost will far exceed the $12.1 Billion.Just looking at the cost per household, does this really make sense? Are there better options than to disrupt the lives of all us for years, remove hundreds of homes (many of lower income), and create 3 year+ of traffic hell? Maybe not doing this at all?

Sorry, comment time is over.