WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit Board to consider more West Seattle property acquisitions

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

(July 11 photo by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)

Planning continues for West Seattle’s Sound Transit light-rail project, though the big issue of how to cover the potential $7 billion cost remains unsettled. The agency had a booth at West Seattle Summer Fest earlier this month to answer questions, and the ST Board has a West Seattle-related vote on the agenda for its monthly meeting tomorrow: Acquisition of three more properties, two residential parcels in the 3200 block of SW Genesee and a Port-owned parcel at 1011 SW Klickitat. The Port-owned parcel would be in relation to the new light-rail-only bridge in the project plan, with the board resolution noting “an early need for a bi-directional load test”; the immediate need for the two residential parcels wasn’t clear, so we asked ST to explain. Spokesperson Henry Bendon says, “These two properties would be used for the construction of the guideway and Avalon Station.” The timing of the acquisitions is due, he says, to personal circumstances of the owners “that necessitate acquisition and relocation as soon as possible.” Tomorrow’s board meeting is at 1:30 pm at Sound Transit HQ downtown, also streamed online; the agenda has details on attending as well as on how to participate in public comment.

ALSO OF NOTE: Related to the aforementioned “bi-directional load test,” a recent city land-use bulletin circulated word of a shoreline-development permit application for a project to install a “test shaft.” See the notice here; comments are open until August 15 (the notice explains how to submit them).

AK July 23, 2025 (2:05 pm)

NO!!! What a waste of tax money!! And West Seattle is full!!

NO July 23, 2025 (4:28 pm)

Exactly !!!!!!!!
BP July 23, 2025 (4:42 pm)

Sorry AK, West Seattle link extension passed overwhelmingly. It’s happening. Please don’t attempt to waste tax dollars by needlessly antagonizing the agency or engaging in frivolous lawsuits to defend whatever fleeting “neighborhood character” you think west Seattle has. Your neighbors voted to move into the 21st century. We’d really prefer if you didn’t make us do so over your kicking and screaming. A true waste of tax money would be rebuilding the bridge for cars again because you insist on taking your living room with you everywhere you go.
- Rob July 23, 2025 (5:02 pm)
  
  You say stop wasting tax money really. 7 billion for 5 miles for a coocoo train .an not one shovel in the ground yet an 2 years behind schedule.
  - Dave July 23, 2025 (9:20 pm)
    
    Almost every train, trolley and bus I see is empty. At what point are we going to force the politicians to realize current mass transit systems are obsolete and will never provide a viable commuter option that would actual take cars off the freeways. At this point our politicians should we investigating options like robtaxises and shuttles that can actually provide portal to portal service.
    - C July 24, 2025 (6:52 pm)
      
      Almost every car I see is pretty empty too, usually just one person in it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- CarDriver July 23, 2025 (6:58 pm)
  
  BP. Your message to ST is:here’s the blank check I don’t care what it costs. I’ll never question your spending. I will pay any amount you ask for as long as you need to take it.
- BL July 23, 2025 (8:20 pm)
  
  (BP) Your comment is naive. “The West Seattle Light Rail Extension is projected to reduce daily car trips across the West Seattle high bridge by approximately 400 trips, according to the Sound Transit Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This is a relatively small reduction compared to the overall volume of traffic on the bridge, which sees over 100,000 vehicles daily.” We are going to spend way more than $7 billion on this project that will not significantly change the traffic in West Seattle. We are not the suburbs and it is not a significant effort to go from WS to anywhere else. We have a robust bus transit system and infrastructure to support private autos. Many people do not use public transit because of the fact it does not allow them to go from point A to B to C without changing busses and spending more time sitting on public transit that actually doing the business they need to do outside of WS. Public transit is great for going to Seattle for dining, sporting events and entertainment but not to go to a doctor’s appointment, stop and get meds or specialty shopping. Light rail will be nothing more than one more option for people to use to get out of WS but it will not be the ‘great thing’ some people are claiming and, as Sound Transit has already claimed, will not significantly change the traffic pattern or need for adequate roads and automobile infrastructure for the future. BTW – I don’t consider my EV my living room and the West Seattle Bridge will be needed far into the future for more than just personal autos.
  - WS Guy July 24, 2025 (10:27 am)
    
    BL – That’s an awful lot of facts for one post.
  - JD July 25, 2025 (9:32 pm)
    
    Oh? How many people do you carry at one time in your Tesla? I don’t care how big its battery is or whether you don’t personally consider yourself to be driving alone.
- BJG July 25, 2025 (8:53 pm)
  
  BP were you here for the ST3 vote in 2016? It was not only for West Seattle light rail. Newcomers seem to have lost track of the facts here.The 54% who voted for the $53.8 billion dollar investment plus the blank check to follow were approving the North, Central, Eastside and South Corridors. That includes Everett to Tacoma, Eastside to Issaquah, West Seattle to Sodo and Ballard. In addition it included Rapid Transit buslines and eventual Sounder commuter rail to JBLM. No one imagined that 14% of that total would be needed for West Seattle’s four miles. Clearly it is time to reasses this project and 7 billion is just a low estimate with more land aquisition being required. There is not enough money here to waste, There may be personal wealth in Seattle. They are not paying for our public projects.And just an aside to those who say “agree or get out” who are you to even suggest that everyone living here does not have the right to an opinion? Stop it!
Grumpy July 23, 2025 (5:27 pm)

Well maybe you should leave and make room for people who actually want light rail.
Derek July 23, 2025 (8:04 pm)

Wrong. We voted for it and we want it. Move on. Density is coming and I welcome it.
- EJ July 23, 2025 (9:52 pm)
  
  Almost ten years ago. Before most people of sound mind concluded that ST was a few fries short of a happy meal.
  - Derek July 24, 2025 (8:40 am)
    
    Sorry but prove your claim that there would be a changing opinion because I don’t see data supporting it. I see even MORE urbanism interest in Seattle now and have a feeling a re-vote would be going more in favor of it than ever. Cars simply are inefficient and cost too much to own nowadays.
  - Jay July 25, 2025 (12:54 am)
    
    What are you talking about? Seattle’s Link is one of the most successful mass-transit projects in the US, with ridership that rivals every other light rail system in the US. It’s been incredibly popular and was one of the first systems to recover from COVID ridership losses.
Bob July 24, 2025 (7:46 am)

Oh for f’s sake cry me a river. It’s progress. DEAL.
am July 24, 2025 (8:29 am)

Public transport is needed… the views of the little that keep stopping progress of the city hold down everyone. The people have voted for progress and development
- Shugabrush July 30, 2025 (11:23 am)
  
  Yeah, Admiral lacks it right now, and I’m glad that King County Metro will at least be able to better serve it once the West Seattle Extension is complete.

Seattlite July 23, 2025 (2:57 pm)

FYI: CA’s high-speed rail to no where took 1,400 properties by eminent domain and still has many more properties to purchase by eminent domain which takes time and money. To date, CA’s taxpayers have spent approx. $15 BILLION. To date, not one segment CA’s high-speed track has been completed over 17 years from its inception date 0f 2008. Seattle’s light-rail project will run into the same problems of time and money with property owners who are not willing or wanting to sell their properties which means the government gets involved to purchase privately owned properties that will be for public use.

Jen July 23, 2025 (4:26 pm)

I support light rail with the exception of the West Seattle line. I don’t see what it gets us for all the money being spent. If you could get on it and it would take you somewhere besides SODO it would make more sense. We already have rapid rides that take you down town to transfer to other transportation. I just think it’s way to much money to waste on such a short line, especially with the loss of homes and business for building the line and the disruption to the neighborhood while it’s being built. I think the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Hunk July 23, 2025 (6:05 pm)

Personally I don’t see the point of the bridge – it only takes you to SODO and then you’ve got to transfer to another road. (The light rail is part of a system, and having it here will enable us to travel wherever the system connects. Truly not rocket science, this is how trains work everywhere in the world, including the rest of our city.)
- WSzombie July 23, 2025 (9:22 pm)
  
  @Hunk Have you ever looked at a map?!? How can you say “the bridge only takes you to SODO”? The West Seattle Bridge literally connects West Seattle to the biggest thoroughfare on the west coast. The bridge connects West Seattle to highway 99, I-90, and I-5. The West Seattle extension will NEVER be as complete as that without changing trains.
  
  And for those saying that “everyone wants the light rail”. The ST3 vote, aka proposition 1, was rejected in 7 of 12 voting districts. Since Seattle wants it, everyone has to pay for it. Which is insane.
  - Hunk July 24, 2025 (12:10 am)
    
    Oh, so the bridge is useful because it connects to other roads? The fact this one piece of infrastructure doesn’t do everything is ok because it’s part of a system? So it should be easy to understand how a train line that links to other lines is also useful.
    - anonyme July 24, 2025 (5:55 am)
      
      The super, super obvious answer is that the bridge doesn’t “take” you anywhere – your car does as it travels across the bridge and continues anywhere else you’d care to go. In the case of light rail, you travel the same distance in a rail car, and then get booted off and have to find another mode of transportation in order to continue to your destination. I’m not advocating for either cars or light rail, and Jen summed up the situation nicely.
    - Brad Garf July 24, 2025 (11:08 am)
      
      @ANONYMEIt takes you to the Light Rail station in SODO, not to a desert in the middle of nowhere. This is how public transportation works. Everywhere.
BlairJ July 23, 2025 (9:25 pm)

The West Seattle line will take you beyond SODO once the extension toward Ballard starts operation. One seat from West Seattle to Lynnwood, and eventually to Everett.

Craig July 23, 2025 (6:01 pm)

I agree fully with Jen’s comment. I love the idea of light rail, but the cost of the WS section is very high and very disruptive. With our unique placement in Seattle, buses appear to be the right choice to allow for cost and flexibility.

derek July 23, 2025 (9:31 pm)

Busses have to fight cars for traffic. We need trains.
- EJ July 23, 2025 (10:08 pm)
  
  Mmmm yes, they have to fight cars… in all the dedicated bus-only lanes that span the whole King County area…
  - WS Person July 24, 2025 (12:12 am)
    
    And those dedicated bus lanes sit empty 95% of the time. Talk about a waste.
  - Derek July 24, 2025 (5:43 pm)
    
    EJ you clearly don’t ride the H and C lines. Or 21. Bus only lanes aren’t at the on ramps. Look at the clogs each morning on Delridge.

revealations July 23, 2025 (6:09 pm)

These early acquisitions are going to create blight across West Seattle. Sound Transit admits they don’t have a design, plan nor budget. The increased pricing just means that they will be waiting additional years to fund this line. What will happen to early acquisition properties?You will see businesses and houses boarded up for years before the light rail construction even begins. This will invite unsavory squatters as well as reduce your local commerce options for the better part of a decade.

Dysfunction July 23, 2025 (6:34 pm)

This is a jobs program and handout to the construction industry. Yes the voters voted for this, but it wouldn’t be approved if it was voted on again now. And it wouldn’t be close. People didn’t vote for this price tag and time frame to go 4 miles. Remember that the tax base has most people outside Seattle, and they are done with it. There won’t be any more projects after this. Sound Transit is done. They once again failed the people with their false promises, but there are those that are comfortable with handing over a blank check for what will be a novelty like the monorail.

han July 23, 2025 (6:48 pm)

As a West Seattle homeowner and someone who grew up in New York City, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative good public transit can be for a community. The planned light rail extension to Alaska Junction is a huge step forward for connecting our neighborhood to the rest of the city. It means more access to jobs, easier commutes, and better opportunities for young people starting their careers. It also opens up the city for everyone—whether that’s for work, school, or just getting out to enjoy Seattle without the stress of traffic or parking.With federal funding looking uncertain, I hope we can find ways to accelerate this project and keep momentum strong. West Seattle is ready for this connection, and delaying it risks leaving people stuck relying on cars when we should be moving toward a more sustainable, accessible future.

EJ July 23, 2025 (7:58 pm)

At what cost? ST has been unable to fulfill virtually all of their promises. Costs are astronomically higher than projected when the decision was put to voters in 2016. They’ve had to delay extensions repeatedly due to mismanagement of their contracts. It reeks of West Seattle Monorail 2.0.

DEFUND SOUND TRANSIT July 23, 2025 (6:56 pm)

$7 B I L L I O N. That’s what hundreds of dollars of your annual car tabs and other taxes are going to while 90% of trips within and from West Seattle are to places light rail doesn’t go: White Center, South Park, Boeing Field/East Marginal Way, Burien, 4th Avenue Costco, Southcenter, Renton, etc.

k July 23, 2025 (8:07 pm)

I live in White Center and I will use the heck out of the light rail. I don’t know why you guys are so intent on convincing the world that West Seattle is some backwater place that won’t be able to figure out how to use light rail. We’ll hop on on droves, just like every other neighborhood where it runs. I pay almost $700 on one car and $950 on the other for this thing, and it’s worth every penny to me.
- EJ July 23, 2025 (8:31 pm)
  
  I don’t think they’re insinuating people won’t know how to use it; it’s not exactly rocket science.
  - bill July 24, 2025 (8:36 am)
    
    EJ: It’s pretty clear from the hysteria over having to change trains that people are demonstrating they won’t know how to use it.
- D E F U N D S O U N D T R A N S I T July 23, 2025 (10:16 pm)
  
  Use the heck out of it to go where, K? If you don’t work downtown or in Bellevue/Redmond you’d basically be riding it for fun…..like to the stadiums or to do very light shopping downtown. You certainly won’t be bringing home a cart full of groceries and supplies from the 4th Avenue Costco or a toilet from Home Depot (both of which can be done in subcompact cars).
  - Hunk July 24, 2025 (12:15 am)
    
    Though I’m lucky enough to bike commute within West Seattle, I meet up with friends, attend events and shows, visit parks, and have occasional work activities in neighborhoods served by light rail all over the city. I do those things much more often than I buy a toilet at Home Depot. I’m sorry that you seemingly can’t say the same.
  - k July 24, 2025 (7:18 am)
    
    All I can say, DST, is that you have a very poor imagination and that just because you cannot fathom lives and needs beyond your own personal experience does not mean they do not exist. The light rail will get loads of use, maybe not by you, but it will. Also, carrying a toilet home on the light rail is not that hard. I’ve dragged 4 used tires at once across town on Metro to recycle them. Some of you really don’t understand public transit and it shows.
  - bill July 24, 2025 (8:43 am)
    
    Defund: If a modest number of the people who drive switched to light rail it would make driving far easier for people who need to bring toilets home from Home Depot. And if a household could sell one or several of its cars maybe the freed-up money would allow shopping at slightly more expensive local stores rather than stuffing the SUV with Costco merchandise. The household could also afford to pay Home Depot to deliver toilets.
  - Brad Garf July 24, 2025 (11:11 am)
    
    I guess you might need to hear this, but it’s OK to use Public transportation for other things besides going to work.
- Canton July 24, 2025 (8:07 am)
  
  Why would you take a bus to the junction from WC to catch the train, when it’s a easy single bus ride from WC to downtown?
  - Foop July 24, 2025 (10:49 am)
    
    Maybe they want to go to Ballard or cap hill without worrying about missing a bus transfer for a line that only comes every 30 minutes on busses that are inconsistent and get stuck in traffic all the time?
  - k July 24, 2025 (8:46 pm)
    
    The only bus that runs from White Center to the Junction is the 128, which does not go downtown. I really wish there was some basic litmus test that requires people to understand the transit options they’re talking about before running their mouths. If you’re in White Center, you’re still taking the H Line or the 113 downtown. The train is for people in White Center who are going somewhere other than downtown, and people in neighborhoods other than White Center who are going downtown, or somewhere other than downtown. There are WAY more people on the peninsula than just White Center residents trying to get downtown.
Derek July 23, 2025 (9:33 pm)

The costs are the costs. It goes down significantly taking out Avalon station and tunnel options. Just do elevated track down Fauntleroy and Avalon.

Zack H July 23, 2025 (8:18 pm)

CANNOT WAIT. Go Sound Transit!!! An absolute necessity of a project with the overwhelming vote of the community. Appreciate the mayor and others pushing to help move it along as efficiently as possible.

EJ July 23, 2025 (8:24 pm)

If it was put to a vote today, it’d be rejected handily.
- Derek July 23, 2025 (9:34 pm)
  
  EJ that is just not true. You are seriously out of touch with how much urbanism mindset has grown in Seattle with the influx of tech workers. Just get on Reddit and see how many people embrace it. I think the vote would be possibly higher than it was then lol
  - EJ July 23, 2025 (10:03 pm)
    
    OK tech bro. You’re right, I’m so out of touch with all the laid off Microsoft and Amazon workers who flooded the area in the late 2010s-early 2020s. Give me a break.
    - Derek July 24, 2025 (5:45 pm)
      
      Tech bro? You couldn’t be any more wrong on your assertion or about light rail. Have a good one.

Lauren July 23, 2025 (8:50 pm)

“If it was put to a vote today it’d be different” PLEASE STOP with this OMG. You talk about a waste of money. You know what wastes money? Endlessly delaying approved projects and demanding new votes for something people already voted YES on. Stop. Just stop.

EJ July 23, 2025 (10:05 pm)

It literally hasn’t been put to a vote since 2016. And since then, ST has wildly mismanaged their assets and contracts. That’s not on the voters.
- Derek July 24, 2025 (5:46 pm)
  
  And what will you say when it passes again? Do you promise to never bring it up ever? What else should we get re-votes on? Absurd to be against democracy.
- k July 24, 2025 (8:48 pm)
  
  In 2016 we voted on something we knew would take years and years to complete. Re-voting things to appease sour grapes isn’t a thing.

Oerthehillz July 23, 2025 (8:51 pm)

Funny, all you people who support this, and if it even happens, will complain that the train goes to nowhere.

Burgerman July 23, 2025 (10:18 pm)

I already know that’s false. Nice try though.

Burgerman July 23, 2025 (10:21 pm)

The thing that amuses me about all this is that it’s so obvious who doesn’t and hasn’t used light rail to commute in Seattle. You don’t fully appreciate it until you’ve used it a time or three. Buses are not a substitute, just a complement to light rail. It’s FAST, very frequent, comfortable, quiet, and efficient. Honestly, it’s safer as well, as evidenced by the relatively frequent safety issues people encounter riding Metro around here. Time to get on board and embrace change!

Niko July 23, 2025 (11:48 pm)

Tell me your property is not on the chopping block without telling me
- JD July 25, 2025 (9:37 pm)
  
  What’s it like to be able to own property?

Vic Bishop July 24, 2025 (8:48 am)

The reason light rail cannot ‘work’ in West Seattle is DENSITY. We do not have adequate density and we clearly do not want it. We like our single family homes with a yard. They take a lot of ground. We cannot densify enough with ADU’s or tiny houses. It takes 10 story aprtment buildings block after block for miles along a corridor for rail transit to work. We are 10 times too spread out.
.

Aaron G July 24, 2025 (9:39 am)

Really looking for light rail to West Seattle!

Dysfunction July 24, 2025 (10:57 am)

I work in the electrical trade, and a good friend that is involved in commercial construction who sees permits said there isn’t much in the way of larger multi-story projects in West Seattle in the pipeline now. I know there is the idea that there will be some when Alki Lumber is demolished, but the timeline from design to approval through permitting and finally construction is years. The mindset that West Seattle desperately needs a lot of new housing isn’t reflected in construction. There isn’t going to be a lot of new density added for decades, if ever.

WSB July 24, 2025 (11:27 am)

Major-project construction has been slow for the past few years, not just in West Seattle. But densification is happening via a slew of smaller projects, since it’s been allowable for a few years to replace one SF home with three homes, and now it’s four with the option for six in certain circumstances. My block has a one-to-three redevelopment project under way and there’s another just a few blocks away, both well under way. There are also sites on Fauntleroy Way and Delridge Way where double-digit townhouse and/or SF projects are on the way. And, including the sites you mention, there are some potentially shovel-ready – financing is a major challenge. But there are exceptions – Housing Diversity Corporation/STS Construction (WSB sponsor) is almost done with Keystone in South Delridge, is building the 4448 California project, and still has the 17th/Roxbury site in queue. The city has changed a lot of the rules, for better or worse, theoretically to speed thigs up.

Brad Garf July 24, 2025 (11:15 am)

Every time there is a Light Rail post on this blog, it’s so painfully obvious how many car-owners here think everyone in their neighborhood also owns a car and has the exact same lived experience as them.

Foop July 24, 2025 (1:42 pm)

You give them too much credit. They don’t think about their neighbors at all.
wetone July 24, 2025 (1:51 pm)

BR, every household in my neighborhood of WS has at least one vehicle. but then there is no apartments right now as it used to be single family zoning. There are a few homes with ADU’s and DADU’s, and they have cars ;) But that is changing quickly thou as Mayor Harrell, city council and builders association has got rid of SFZ5000, and soon all neighborhoods will have multiple 4-6 units built though-out with 10′ setbacks off sidewalk………win win ;( Oh, and how far behind and over budget is the light rail section from east side ? from what I hear there is some issues ;)
- WEST Seattle lover July 24, 2025 (3:51 pm)
  
  We are just like Stanton Island! The smarts would have been to beef up the foot ferry…..but that is too logical. It’s still odd that the city is trying to pretend West Seattle is not land locked. Absolutely truth and never-ever will Seattle provide transportation for all of us, even 50%. Proven fact, I bought a house across from 4 bus stops that I could opt out of owning a car. Truth, they took all of the bus stops out, stopped the bus runs through our neighborhood and expect moms with kids, seniors and everyone to walk 20+ blocks to their Rapid Line or the upcoming Light Rail. It’s absolutely ridiculous. But if they are honestly serious, all of the bus stops in West Seattle will operational and they will have to expand the West Seattle island with more land (proven by the bridge locked down), because never-ever will there be a large enough head count to validate only providing a limited amount of seats for a few that live on the island.; Even NYC knows this and they use their ferry system.
  - Seattlite July 24, 2025 (10:00 pm)
    
    WSLover….Your comment oozes with common sense and truth.

West Seattle Lovers July 24, 2025 (3:35 pm)

Yes, the Light Rail was passed. But what about information on the extra lighting, the screeching of the brakes, the announcements over the big speaker? Right now, it cannot even get dark in West Seattle with all the added commercial investment buildings – okay. Most of us close to the stations, can already hear the noise from the train, the ferry and any live music on California. What about how King County is going to tax you out of your home & make this neighborhood even more unaffordable? The investors are loving all of this as stats are already on track for hedge fund & private equity to be owning more than 40% plus of single family residential properties. Will children have a yard to play in? Will you have peace to sleep at night? How much more will the utility fees be jacked up to support the 1% that are making bank on all of this?

Derek July 24, 2025 (5:50 pm)

Wait til you hear about what it costs to own a car now with insurance and EV charging infrastructure, and gas prices, etc.
- WEST SEATTLE LOVER July 28, 2025 (1:53 pm)
  
  You read nothing written. There are those that listen to learn and those that listen to talk. You don’t have to own a car to exist in Seattle, you never have = I have no interest in talking about your car. West Seattle exists on a very small piece of land, surrounded by mostly water, like an island. Any rail, all of it should be underground. Even San Francisco, downtown light rail is underground and its considerably bigger than West Seattle. Why? Think of a list of reasons. Most of the rail + still no guarantees which parts or if any are guaranteed to be underground. West Seattle is also predominantly a residential neighborhood, not a downtown commercial zone. The noise and lights up is not being considered or talked about. I would love to have light rail. But underground + designed in considering noise + lighting for a residential neighborhood.
  - k July 28, 2025 (3:00 pm)
    
    Friend, I tried, I tried really hard to wrap my mind around what point you were trying to make with that meandering rant. Sounds like Derek tried too and also couldn’t make heads or tails of it, based on your response to him. Sorry about whatever it is that bums you out about light rail (again, mostly guessing the rant was anti-light rail… it really did wander a bit). Hope whatever issues you’re concerned about are alleviated in the future.
Piz July 25, 2025 (12:05 am)

If you think light rail is loud wait til you hear what it’s like living by a busy road. Ban cars.
- West Seattle Lover July 28, 2025 (2:05 pm)
  
  Where do Iive? West Seattle. Where do you live? San Francisco, New York or Rome? West Seattle is significantly smaller + not even downtown Seattle core. Guess what, they all have cars, parking garages + Light Rail underground. But there is a map that shows light rail above ground, with the possibility of a portion being underground. Why would any West Seattle resident be okay with any portion of the light rail being above ground + no talks about that noise? So why would you be okay living in a neighborhood that is so much smaller, denser on a tiny parcel of land; compared to four (4) internationally known downtown cores – ignore the impact of any portion of light rail being above ground + the design underground to protect sleepful nights + harmony. In NYC, you hear taxis honking all night long + sirens, not the subway. In Rome it’s hard to find + in San Fran…because you cannot hear it.
JD July 25, 2025 (9:34 pm)

Do you expect your neighborhood to be rural or something?
- West Seattle Lover July 28, 2025 (2:11 pm)
  
  Nope. I expect my community & governing authorities to look at San Francisco, NYC and Rome….which are major international hubs, located on significantly commercial zoned areas and factor their rail is underground. I expect those same pushers + decision makers, to factor noise, disruptions, quality of life & long term quality of life. I don’t hear the rail in San Francisco, NYC or Rome and West Seattle is a residential neighborhood. Unless the light rail is done right, all underground + designs of the stations in consideration of noise, safety & complete residential intergration – this will be a huge wound in our neighborhood.

ST3 Passed You Lost July 24, 2025 (6:31 pm)

Really need the tens of people who organize anti-transit post-flooding here to sit down and shut up for once in their privileged lives.

Scarlett July 24, 2025 (9:17 pm)

This is a democracy and part of the democratic process is revisiting decisions when more information becomes available. Sound Transit is very worried about how to fund this link. The only privileged people that I see are those who think spending billions for an infrastructure lollipop is a spiffy idea, many of them no doubt self-described “progressives.”
- JD July 25, 2025 (9:34 pm)
  
  What’s our privilege? Being poor?You want to try it, if it’s that advantageous?

North Admiral Cyclist July 25, 2025 (5:23 pm)

Glad to see the WS ST line moving forward. If the numerous past closures of the high level and low level WS bridges did not convince you, current traffic congestion on I-5 and I-405 during the ongoing regular construction/maintenance work should show you dependence on the automobile into the future is just not viable. Plus, who wants to own 2 or 3 cars per household anymore? The cost of the cars/trucks and insurance has become too much.

West Seattle Lover July 28, 2025 (2:15 pm)

Let’s stop talking about cars. Rome, San Francisco & NYC all have cars. Let’s talk about installing the light rail underground, designing the stations for safety, noise control & easy access + those where distance is to far to walk, have ample busses, all day, every day + we reopen bus stops through the neighborhood. Until then, it’s just not going to serve us.

WSDUDEMAN July 25, 2025 (6:47 pm)

It would take nearly 4,807.69 years working 40 hours a week at $100 per hour to eventually earn $1,000,000,000. Assuming of course, you can live forever and also escape taxes, It would take you 33,653.83 years to earn enough to construct the West Seattle Light Rain line at its current estimated price tag of $7,000,000,000.

Nolan July 25, 2025 (11:55 pm)

It’s a good thing that governments manage currency and also aren’t people, huh?

JD July 25, 2025 (9:39 pm)

This project is identical to the monorail extension, except that project “ballooned” to cost up to half as much as this project and would have been done twenty years ago.Why does Seattle keep pretending to be normal and then paying thru the nose for the appearance of it?

Shugabrush July 30, 2025 (11:18 am)

Ultimately what matters to me is that the Admiral District sees more service when the light rail arrives. If the light rail is going to the Alaska Junction, that’s already WAY overserved by buses. I hope the plan to reroute the H Line to Admiral and Alki is real and will start almost IMMEDIATELY after the west seattle light rail extension is complete. Without any bus service change, I’d be furious about the light rail going into an overserved area rather than an underserved area. But I understand there’s more demand in the Alaska Junction and if the H Line can take us from the Admiral District/Alki directly to the Delridge way stop, I’ll be very happy with that. But STILL having to go down to the Alaska Junction even when the Light Rail extension is complete will be totally unacceptable.

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