WEEK AHEAD: West Seattle light-rail forum on Wednesday

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

Since County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board member Teresa Mosqueda announced three and a half weeks ago that she was organizing another West Seattle light-rail forum, much has happened: The highest-profile development was the board retreat, with staff presenting three ideas for “approaches” the board could take to craft an affordable plan (WSB coverage here). One “approach” even envisioned “deferring” West Seattle expansion, and all three would stop the planned Ballard expansion short of actually reaching Ballard. None of the approaches was an actual proposal, but they were meant as food for thought, at the very least. So with all that out there, the planned April 1 forum is one of the big events in the week ahead.

The Wednesday forum, starting at 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), promises “more detailed information and analyses on potential cost-savings and service delivery updates to West Seattle” in service to “continuing momentum on the West Seattle light rail expansion.” The announcement also promised time for “questions and answers, both on note cards and at roaming microphones.” This follows a forum Mosqueda presented last November (WSB coverage here).

Spencer W March 29, 2026 (8:15 pm)

We need to just move forward and build this

AdmiralSDV March 29, 2026 (10:00 pm)

100%. West Seattle, both stations, AND Ballard.
Lauren March 30, 2026 (7:45 am)

The opening of the 2 line this weekend was SO exciting – the energy was palpable – and really made me to think about how amazing it’ll be to have a city fully connected by light rail.
Tax Payer March 30, 2026 (9:18 am)

What if it costs $1 Trillion? Would we all agree that $1 Trillion dollars would be outrageous for this? I assume we all think that’s way too high… so lets move backwards until we find a point were it is NOT too high. I my opinion, the current estimated costs are WAY TOO HIGH.
- Lauren March 30, 2026 (12:24 pm)
  
  … it’s not $1 trillion. Not even close. This is a bad faith argument.
Scarlett March 30, 2026 (2:02 pm)

With what, Spencer W – monopoly money? In the real world things need to be paid for and sure you can demand your neighbors open their wallets again for a project with runaway price, but do you think that coure of action is approppriate?

k March 29, 2026 (9:18 pm)

Did anyone get to experience the glory that was the light rail across Lake Washington this weekend? So exciting! And super jealous of the folks who could come into town on the light rail, while I’m sitting in horrible No Kings traffic in a car like a pleb.

Javier March 30, 2026 (8:26 am)

I was there friend. The view going across the Lake Washington is absolutely breathtaking! We don’t truly experience it when we’re operating an automobile, we have to watch the road. This Crosslake Connection is an absolute game changer for the region. The half mile long line at Judkins Park Station going viral on social media shows how beloved Link truly is by the citizens of this city. If anyone from Sound Transit is reading this, know that is the true pulse of Seattle proper, not the negative comments you see from the same people over and over. West Seattle is excited to be next in line. Thank you for the hard work you do and for delivering these great projects!
Tax Payer March 30, 2026 (9:20 am)

Yeah… noting like a multi BILLION dollar system that will shut down every time it’s windy. Get used to that… check back in a year from now when all we hear about is constant shut downs.
- Foop March 30, 2026 (11:30 am)
  
  It was quite windy this weekend and it did fine, but go off.
- Junctioner March 31, 2026 (4:28 pm)
  
  Why the negativity up and down this page? Don’t you want your taxes to go toward a useful resource for our neighborhood?
g March 30, 2026 (9:25 am)

Light rail makes me feel that heaven exists. We can have nice things.

Scarlett March 29, 2026 (10:40 pm)

My brother who lives in the Eastgate area has been taking the bus downtown Seattle for years since he retired. Oh, and wonders of wonders, it goes over the floating bridge! Do any of you actually ride bus transit or have you somewhow divined – through your magical glass ball – that is terrible deficient in getting people around?

Derek March 30, 2026 (6:26 am)

Got it marked on the calendar so I can leave early and meet friends there. Got to get our voice heard that this is taking too long. Build it now. This segment is crucial for the much needed Ballard and Uptown extensions as well. Crosslake connection was an overwhelming success that saw and will see ridership boost up like crazy. Let’s get building.

Josh March 30, 2026 (7:59 am)

Just build it. It is as necessary as a civic project could ever be and more expensive by the second.

Richard Ghrave March 30, 2026 (8:16 am)

I strongly support keeping the Avalon Station in the West Seattle light rail expansion.Today, Avalon, Fauntleroy, and 35th are very car-focused and not safe enough for walking or biking. There is already strong housing density along Avalon Way, and the steep topography between Avalon and the future North Delridge station makes access between those areas challenging. Just another reason this station is important.I’m especially concerned that if Avalon Station is removed as part of current cost-cutting proposals, it would not be added back later due to changes in the tunnel alignment. I haven’t seen this clearly communicated in public discussions, and I worry that both the public and the Sound Transit Board may not fully understand this long term impact.I’m so disappointed that everyone is being short slighted about this multi generation investment in public transportation. The people who oppose this project or are pushing significant changes to scope to reduce costs are lacking vision and are selfish. Build the damn train already. Every day this is delayed or studied more just further increases the costs.