37 replies to this topic

[Lightning]

We can kiss these expansions good-bye.  Not going to happen.  An unfortunate result of the infamous "Seattle process" is that inflation can eventually overwhelm and then doom a project.  And here I was looking forward to rail to Ballard in my lifetime.  Oh well.  From the Seattle Times.

[KevinKorell]

Rats just after they started to re-designate everything with numbers and letters.   West Seattle to Everett would have been the 3 Line, with the 1 Line shortened from Northgate to serve Ballard instead.

[Lightning]

More on the soaring cost of Sound Transit light rail projects NOT currently funded.  From the Seattle Times.

[KevinKorell]

West Seattle Blog, 1/24/21:

 

  Sound Transit board continues ‘brainstorming’ for realignment plan  

 

 

Will the light-rail plan for West Seattle be delayed or even downsized? The Sound Transit board is planning to make that decision in July, along with deciding the future of other not-yet-under-construction projects. Right now, they’re in the process of deciding how to decide. The board spent three hours in a workshop Thursday centered on what one member described as “brainstorming.”

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

3/24/21

 

 

 

 

Project update

 

 

What is realignment and how could it affect this project?

 

In the face of both reduced revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing real estate and construction costs, the Sound Transit Board is currently undertaking a process called realignment. This process includes assessing how plans and timelines for projects that are not yet in construction, such as the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE), will need to change to address these financial pressures unless we receive alternative revenue from federal or state sources. 

 

A good way to stay updated on realignment and to learn about timing for public engagement is to listen to Sound Transit Board and System Expansion Committee meetings. You can also check out the program realignment webpage for most current information, or share your thoughts and questions at realignment@soundtransit.org or by calling the realignment hotline at (206) 553-3400. You’ll see this information in Sound Transit’s annual progress report arriving in your mailboxes starting the second week of April. The Board plans to take action on realignment in July. 

 

While the Board navigates realignment, our work on the WSBLE project will continue as planned as we work towards publishing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) later this year for public review and comment. Meanwhile, we will keep the community updated as the realignment process continues.

 

Learn more about the Realignment Process

 

Interested in a virtual project update with our team?

 

If you are a longtime subscriber, you are likely aware that we updated our informational online open house a few months ago with detailed alternative plans and profiles, station maps and information about our updated schedule.

 

We will continue to use this online open house and other digital tools to engage in conversations with community organizations, property owners and other interested stakeholders about our project, leading up to the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) later this year.

 

Note: In addition to English, the site is also translated in Español (Spanish), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), 正體字/繁體字 (Traditional Chinese), and 简体字 (Simplified Chinese). Other languages are available via Google Translate, found in the upper right corner of the website.

 

[KevinKorell]

E-mail from Sound Transit, 8/17/21:
 

Project update Sound Transit Board realignment action 

As someone following our progress on the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project, you’ve probably heard a lot about the Sound Transit Board’s ongoing work to advance our voter-approved projects in a challenging fiscal environment.

In early 2020, the Board launched a process called realignment to review options for addressing the significant affordability gap affecting our future transit expansion projects not yet under construction. Most recently forecasted at $6.5 billion, this gap means that completing many of these projects on their original schedules won’t be affordable.

On Thursday, Aug. 5, the Board adopted a new flexible framework to support moving forward with projects as rapidly as possible. Learn more about the Board’s action in our Platform blog post.

Updated WSBLE project timeline

Based on current revenue projections and cost estimates, the Board’s adopted plan identifies:

• 2032 as the timeframe we can afford to open service from SODO to Alaska Junction.
• 2037 as the timeframe we can afford to open service to Smith Cove (including the second downtown tunnel).
• 2039 as the timeframe we can afford to open service to Ballard.

However, the Board also identified a more ambitious target of achieving a 2037 service opening to Ballard through intensive efforts to secure expanded funding and control project costs. This target schedule would require an estimated $1.8B in additional funding and/or savings, and intensified commitments of support from partners at the local, state and national levels.

We’ll track fiscal challenges very closely as we work with the community and partner jurisdictions to advance this project. The project’s ultimate timeline will come into greater focus as we advance the environmental review process and project design, including examining cost-saving options.

Real estate, construction costs continue to surge

Due to steeply rising real estate prices and other construction expenses, projects currently in early planning and design, including WSBLE, are seeing significant cost estimate increases. In early 2021, Sound Transit commissioned independent experts to assess the agency’s cost estimates. Their findings validated the appropriateness of the agency’s updated cost estimates for current levels of project design.

As design work advances, we’ll continually refine cost estimates for this and other projects in planning, drawing on recommendations from the independent reviewer. Sound Transit’s finance department, with the guidance of outside economists, will regularly update revenue and inflation projections, with hopes that recent improvements to economic and revenue forecasts continue.

Learn more about the realignment process and increased cost estimates at soundtransit.org/realignment.

Next steps

Throughout the Sound Transit Board’s realignment process, staff continued to advance WSBLE planning efforts. Next steps for the project include:

• Publishing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Fall 2021).
• Collecting public feedback on the DEIS (Fall 2021).
• Sound Transit Board confirming or modifying the preferred alternative (early 2022).

We hope you’ll continue to participate in our work to move this important project forward.

Questions? Please feel free to reach out to the community engagement team at wsblink@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7229.

If you do not wish to receive future emails, please update your preferences here.

[KevinKorell]

 

Project update

 

Receiving input from people who bring diverse perspectives and experiences from communities along the project corridor are vital to the success of this project.

 

 

Community Advisory Group meetings kick off next week

 

The first Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project will be held virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 5 - 7 p.m. This first meeting is an opportunity for members to connect, learn more about the project and how we got to where we are today, and help us lay the groundwork for future CAG meetings. Members of the public are invited to watch a livestream of the meeting and listen in on the group discussion. If you are unable to attend the livestream, we will post the recording on our website, as well as meeting materials.

 

Tune into the livestream

 

A big thank you to everyone who shared their interest in participating in an advisory group! We received more than 230 applications and while we could not accommodate everyone, we look forward to continuing to engage with you. More opportunities on when and how to get involved will be coming your way!

 

More project info: soundtransit.org/wsblink
 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Comment period begins on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for extending light rail to West Seattle and Ballard   

 

The public can comment on route and station options in a variety of ways

 

January 28, 2022

 

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project, kicking off a 90-day comment period. Members of the public can comment on the Draft EIS analysis and share their thoughts on routes and station alternatives through April 28.  

 

The Draft EIS, prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), evaluates potential impacts and benefits of project alternatives to inform the public, Tribes, government agencies and decision makers. 

 

The West Seattle Link Extension would be about 4.7 miles and includes stations at SODO, Delridge, Avalon, and Alaska Junction. The Ballard Link Extension would be about 7.1 miles from Downtown Seattle to Ballard's Northwest Market Street area and includes a new 3.3-mile rail-only tunnel from Chinatown-International District to South Lake Union  and SeattleCenter/Uptown. Stations would serve Chinatown-International District, Midtown, Westlake, Denny, South Lake Union, Seattle Center, Smith Cove, Interbay, and Ballard. 

 

Members of the public are invited to attend an online open house at https://wsblink.participate.online, where they can review alternatives and station options, and submit formal responses. People can also provide feedback by phone, by mail, by email, or at upcoming virtual, and possible in-person, public meetings.

 

Virtual public meetings will take place on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, March 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Interbay/Ballard focused)
• Tuesday, March 22, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Downtown focused)
• Thursday, March 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (CID/SODO focused)
• Wednesday, March 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (West Seattle focused)

 

If public health guidance permits, an in-person open house is scheduled for Thursday, March 17 at Union Station from 12 – 7 p.m. This event may transition to virtual in accordance with public health recommendations. More information on attending the public meetings is available by visiting the online open house site.

 

Comments may be sent via email to WSBLEDEIScomments@soundtransit.org or by voicemail at 800-471-0879. 

 

Written comments can be mailed to:

 

WSBLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comments
c/o Lauren Swift 
Sound Transit
401 S. Jackson Street 
Seattle, WA 98104

 

The Draft EIS is available for review at the online open house. Printed copies are available for review at Union Station, and at select Seattle public libraries and community centers. A list of locations is available on the open house site. 

 

The Sound Transit Board will consider the analysis in the Draft EIS, as well as public, agency and Tribal comments, and additional information, before confirming or modifying the preferred alternative later this year. Sound Transit will then prepare a Final EIS. After publication of the Final EIS, the Board will make a final decision on the project to be built.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release 

 

Sound Transit hosts public meetings on West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Draft EIS   

 

​​​​​​​Virtual meetings and an in-person drop-in session will include presentations, opportunities to ask questions and comment

 

March 9, 2022

 

 

Members of the public are invited to attend an upcoming public meeting to learn more about the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Project, Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the Draft EIS comment period. Each virtual meeting will include a brief presentation and Q&A session followed by an opportunity to provide oral testimony, which will be captured by a court reporter. 

 

Virtual public meetings will take place on the following dates and times: 

• Tuesday, March 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Interbay/Ballard focused)
• Tuesday, March 22, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Downtown focused)
• Thursday, March 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (CID/SODO focused)
• Wednesday, March 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (West Seattle focused) 

 

An in-person open house will take place on Thursday, March 17 from 12 – 6 p.m. in the International District Station plaza next to Union Station at the intersection of 5th Avenue S and S King Street.  

 

Registration in advance is not required. Live closed captioning and ASL interpretation will be offered at each virtual meeting. Simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese will be offered at the CID/SODO virtual meeting, and Vietnamese and Spanish will be offered at the West Seattle/Delridge virtual meeting. Simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese will be offered at the in-person open house. 

 

More information on attending the public meetings is available on the online open house site at wsblink.participate.online. 

Sound Transit is seeking public comments on the Draft EIS through April 28. In addition to providing comments at the public meetings, comments may be sent via email to WSBLEDEIScomments@soundtransit.org or by voicemail at 800-471-0879. 

 

Written comments can be mailed to:

 

WSBLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comments
c/o Lauren Swift
Sound Transit
401 S. Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104 

 

The Draft EIS is available for review at the online open house at the link above. Printed copies are available for review at Union Station, and at select Seattle public libraries and community centers. A list of locations is available on the open house site. Hard copies are available for a cost by contacting Dominique Jones at 206-689-4783. 

 

The Sound Transit Board will consider the analysis in the Draft EIS, as well as public, agency and Tribal comments, and additional information, before confirming or modifying the preferred alternative later this year. Sound Transit will then prepare a Final EIS. After publication of the Final EIS, the Board will make a final decision on the project to be built. 

 

 

[KevinKorell]

The Urbanist, 4/11/22:

 

 

   Sound Transit Unveils Cost Savings Concepts for West Seattle and Ballard Light Rail    

 

 

Sound Transit has unveiled concepts for cost savings and refinements for its Link light rail expansion into West Seattle and Ballard (WSBLE). While the information has been made public during the open comment period on its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for WSBLE, none of the concepts are included in the current DEIS.

 

Update