Information from District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold
When the Sound Transit Board adopted the preferred alternative for the West Seattle and Ballard light rail extensions last year, they requested additional study of options identified for potential cost savings, or other modifications. Sound Transit released these “further study” updates in late January. Here is the link to the West Seattle further study.
Sound Transit will brief Sound Transit Board members and the public at the upcoming System Expansion Committee meeting on February 9. An online survey is open through February 17. You can also provide in-person feedbackat Union Station on February 8 from 3 to 7 p.m.
You can view the additional studies for other segments of the line on the further studies page.
Three areas are analyzed in West Seattle.
First, a potential design refinement to the Alaska Junction station—to study shifting the station entrance toward 42nd Avenue SW:
This would allow for 90 additional equitable transit-oriented development housing units; eliminate the need for pedestrian crossing of 41st Ave SW; have 39 fewer residential and 32 additional business displacements; and cost $80 million extra beyond the financial plan.
The second study examines access modifications at the Delridge Station with a ped-x bridge over Andover, and shifting the alignment south towards SW Yancy Street:
This would result in 14 fewer residential and 3 additional business displacements, including reducing the impact on Transitional Resources; eliminate potential passenger and freight conflicts; and result in permanent closure of 32nd Ave. It is estimated to cost $50 million more.
The third study is to eliminate the Avalon station.
It would result in 48 fewer residential displacements and 3 fewer business displacements; longer travel times for passengers closer to Avalon Station included in the Draft EIS; have no expected decrease in project ridership and reduce temporary and permanent roadway closures. It is estimated to reduce costs by $80 million.
