THURSDAY: Sound Transit Board expected to vote on West Seattle light rail ‘preferred alternative’

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

It won’t be the final decision on West Seattle light-rail routing and station locations – but it’s close. Tomorrow (Thursday, July 28th) the Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on the “preferred alternative” to send into final environmental studies, which would then be followed by a final vote next year on what/where to build. Two weeks ago (WSB coverage here), a board committee recommended passage of a motion that included the 41st SW “medium tunnel” alternative for The Junction, the Andover alternative for Delridge, and a south-crossing alternative for a new light-rail-only bridge across the Duwamish River. Much of the rest of the light-rail extensions , from the International District to Ballard, is still mired in enough controversy that the West Seattle/Duwamish section may be the only part advancing for now. The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 to 5 pm Thursday at Sound Transit’s downtown board room and online; public comments are accepted both ways, and the agenda includes information on how to offer your opinion.

Patrick July 27, 2022 (5:29 pm)

No doubt the preferred alternative will the one that is ‘preferred’ by the labor unions, and not the citizenry.

Al July 27, 2022 (8:12 pm)

It’s nice they’ve found a way to seem busy with these endless committees for the many many years prior to construction. I suppose it would be viewed poorly to publish a timeline that states: 2022-finalize plan, 2023-2030, do nothing and wait for tax funding to accumulate, 2031 begin construction.

Julie Neilson July 27, 2022 (10:43 pm)

Swapping Delridge to Andover. Someone should come up with a term that describes removing publicly-funded opportunity for infrastructure improvement and economic growth and giving it to a higher income neighborhood with less diversity.

Ron Swanson July 28, 2022 (8:24 am)

How does “two blocks North” sound?
MyThruppence July 28, 2022 (10:15 am)

The selection of the “Delridge” station to be closer to Andover Street is a matter of a few blocks. While hugely impactful to the neighborhood affected, there is no significant difference in income OR diversity among the different options. All the station options for this immediate area are all within a half-mile of each other.

train guy July 28, 2022 (10:37 am)

I myself might reach West Seattle by train one day. I bet I’ll hollar on that first trip. Raise a fist to rapid transit. Bridges over active waterways. Medium tunnels. A+. Bring it! Those are my views on this matter.

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