Sound Transit has received a Record of Decision from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE), marking the completion of the project’s environmental review process and enabling it to move into the design phase.
The 4.1-mile West Seattle Link Extension, approved by voters in 2016 under the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) package, has been in the planning stage since 2017.
Over the past eight years, Sound Transit has worked with community stakeholders and partner agencies to develop an alignment and station locations aimed at improving transport access and cutting travel times.
Once operational, the extension is expected to serve over 24,000 daily passengers and halve travel time between Alaska Junction and Westlake. It will also improve connections between light rail and bus services, enhancing the overall transfer experience.
Following the Board’s decision in October 2024 on the preferred route and station sites, Sound Transit will now proceed with engineering and design work.
In parallel, efforts are underway to ensure the extension remains financially sustainable, including the exploration of cost-saving measures at both programme and project levels.
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